[moprabbit]

One of my ewes was slightly lame last Wednesday, so I caught her and found her hoof badly ripped in parts, so trimmed and sprayed with Animedizon (an antibiotic spray) Check her everyday, washed, dried and sprayed it but not getting any better. Gave her a painkilling injection on Friday. By Sunday still no better and I'd noticed at the top of her hoof just below the coronary band the hoof  seemed soft and squashy, which seemed quite painful when I touched it. So on Monday (yesterday) I called the vet. He looked at it and didn't really know what the problem was - said it could be an abscess or it could be an infusion or joint fluid. I'm not quite sure what he meant by an infusion? But he didn't want to lance it. Gave her another painkiller and a long lasting antibiotic injection. Today - Tuesday she's no better at all. Am I being too impatient? But I just don't like to see her so lame. She's eating fine. I wondered if anyone on the forum had any ideas? Thank you   

[fsmnutter]

Hi there
As a vet, I agree that a swelling at the top of the foot could be an abscess (where either damage to the bottom of the hoof and infection has entered, or damage to the skin/hoof wall at the top where infection has got in) or an effusion (a swelling caused by fluid) of the joint. This can also be due to infection entering, or due to something inflammatory (irritating) in the joint such as arthritis or a sprain.
Lancing it would be very bad if it is the joint, as this would leave it open to the atmosphere and potentially further infection. Long lasting antibiotic injection would be the best option for addressing the infection, and the painkiller is likely to have anti-inflammatory effects on the joint and swelling. If she's eating well and moving around reasonably, this is a good sign, lameness can take a day or a week to resolve. If you are able, putting a poultice on the foot twice a day - something like a bit of cotton wool soaked in hand hot water - may help to draw out infection if it is an abscess.
If it started with a ripped hoof, it may be that some infection is sitting in there and will take a while, and perhaps repeated injections of antibiotic and painkiller may be necessary. (every 2-4 days depending what your vet has used, ask them when would be suitable to repeat) It may also be that a damaged foot means that she's tweaked or sprained something when she hurt herself, so time, painkillers and a bit of TLC should bring her right. There may be some soft tissue or the like damaged irreversibly, but as long as she seems reasonably comfortable, eating, getting about etc, then she should be OK.

[moprabbit]

Thank you fsmnutter for your quick reply! It's good to have the same sort of opinion from another vet. My vet used Engemycin for the antibiotic - I don't know how frequently that can be given. I should be able to give her another Metacam injection on Thursday I think?
 I think I'll see how she is tomorrow and then give him a quick call and let him know the position if she's no better. She'll get LOADS of TLC.
Thank you again for your reply - I found it reassuring and that 's what I need. I love my sheep and hate it when something's wrong!

[Marches Farmer]

Are you keeping her inside?  A dry foot can generally take more weight than one with soft clees because of wet ground.

[moprabbit]

She's not inside at the minute - the ground she's on surprisingly is quite dry. I think she'd also be more stressed up and pacing about if she were inside. But I will keep an eye on it. Thank you for the advice.