Author Topic: Mauled lamb walking on knuckle -back leg. Help. (Read 4496 times)

judee · « **on:** October 04, 2012, 11:57:27 pm »

A Boreray lamb that has been mauled by a dog is making a good general recovery but is unable to place it's back foot correctly to walk. At present it hobbles on it's knuckle . My vet says it may improve but I am keen to protect the skin covering the knuckle and to encourage correct walking position. Has anyone any experience or ideas of how I might do this? I have tried vet tape and various splints. Thanks for any ideas.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2012, 12:41:40 am »

Hi Judee. How long ago did the attack happen? Your lamb could have permanent nerve or ligament damage, but only time will tell. Meanwhile you can do some simple physio to stretch and straighten the foot and get it back into a walking position.

We have had a sheep which had a similar injury when it jumped a fence and got it's leg caught halfway over. It walked with the foot bent under for a good week but did make a full recovery

lachlanandmarcus · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2012, 08:02:37 am »

I had a lamb who got himself trapped under the hay hake. No splints etc used. He walked on his knuckle for weeks and weeks and I was just about ready to call out the knackers.....until I went in the field one day and couldnt pick him out from the others....I was amazed.
I would be tempted to leave well alone and let nature do its work, just from this experience...

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2012, 08:05:53 am »

Quote from: Fleecewife on October 05, 2012, 12:41:40 am

We have had a sheep which had a similar injury when it jumped a fence and got it's leg caught halfway over. It walked with the foot bent under for a good week but did make a full recovery

Ditto, twice, but it took longer than a week for ours. In both cases you could not in the end pick the previously injured sheep out from the rest of the bunch.

judee · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2012, 02:40:29 pm »

Hi,
Thanks for your replies, strangely just today the lamb has started to put it's foot correctly, a couple of times only so far but.... which shows that there is some sensation going on and some control! I will try everything, some periods of no support, some with velcro wrap and daily "physiotherapy". It is one week since the dog attack.
Best wishes and thanks again.