[shrekfeet]

Help please and advice. I had a difficult lambing 36 hours ago, much manipulation but two huge alive lambs and mum ok. I notice on has a problem with it's front shoulder which make it struggle to stand. It has got worse and now makes very little effort to stand at all. I wonder whether this may be the strapping applied by the vet to try to bind it back in. She suspected torn/stretched ligaments but I'm wondering if something else is going on here. Any ideas? Perhaps there is more than just a damaged shoulder?

[jaykay]

If it was a difficult birth which much pulling, the vet could well be right - it might just hurt a lot! Is it still strapped?

[SallyintNorth]

I'm sure you'll be helping the lamb to suckle if it's not standing unaided?

And if concerned, would it be practical to take the lamb to the vet for a second look?

[shrekfeet]

do you think this could be watery mouth or joint ill. It seems to be getting worse and is very floppy. I fear we might lose it if I don't act. I do hold it to suckle but it doesn't drink for long. Am thinking of tubing it and giving it a jab of antibiotics. Suggestions?

[kanisha]

whats to lose?

[shrekfeet]

the more i read about it the more i suspect watery mouth, it had a difficult birth so is likely to have injested fluids. it has a bad leg so is likely to have had less colostrum, it was born at night so had less observation. I'm going to tube it, jab it and hope for the best. don't think that can do any harm

[colliewoman]

Maybe some painkillers?
I don't know what you would use for a tiny lamb though, I'd give the vet a tinkle and ask. Pain can cause little ones to give up

[mandos1993]

could be joint ill ?

[shrekfeet]

thought we were going to lose her earlier today, she was so floppy and unable to stand. Gave here antibiotics and kept going out and making sure she fed every hour or so. She's now much brighter, getting herself up and dragging the dodgy leg behind her. Lets see what tomorrow brings.

[Maggie]

I have single ram lamb born this afternoon, he can't stand, due to his front legs being *tucked under* at the foot/knuckle part.  I managed to hold him on and he finally suckled.  She's a good mum and the birth was a dawdle, so I don't know what's going on.  Still waiting for vet to call back.  I wondered if it was Schmallenberg.

[Anke]

I have single ram lamb born this afternoon, he can't stand, due to his front legs being *tucked under* at the foot/knuckle part.  I managed to hold him on and he finally suckled.  She's a good mum and the birth was a dawdle, so I don't know what's going on.  Still waiting for vet to call back.  I wondered if it was Schmallenberg.

he will have contracted tendons, a result of not much room inside. I have had one this year too, also in a goat kid last year. Unless they are actually walking on their knuckles anīd the skin gets raw/infected it will normally sort itself out. if the ewe is still inside, massage his legs and straighten them a few times, but if he is strong he should be ok in a couple of days.

[Maggie]

Thank you Anke.  I'll do that. Strangely, I did some massage earlier because I didn't know what else to do.   Bit scared about straightening the legs, but so long as I'm gentle all should be well?    Maybe my maternal instinct was right after all.....  Managed to get him suckling a few times too, so I'll keep up with the massage and let you know how he does.  He's a Wiltshire Horn, and normally I have no trouble with them at lambing time.

Cheers!   

[dixie]

Magge i might be miles out, but my gut instinct would be to massage too, my son was born with talipes, his feet turned in, not permanent just the way he was bent inside me ( I'm small, he was big) I was told to massage baby oil into his feet, ie massaging into correct position, it soon righted itself. Good luck.
Shrekfeet newborns only feed small amounts, just very often, anu improvement since the antibiotics?

[Maggie]

Thanks Dixie, another great tip... I'll use some oil too.  I've just got in and I could swear there was a wee improvement already.  I'm glad your little boy is ok.  My eldest was born with CDH(congenital dislocated hip) wasn't dreadful, but needed a splint for months, and he's all good now.    You guys are great, thanks again.

[Bramblecot]

Maggie,  I had a lamb like this last year, vet said contracted tendons, massage and splint.  I can pm you details if you wish.  Good luck, it is worth trying to correct the legs.