[Bionic]

I have a ewe that has been lame for the last week. I didn't panic to start with as in the past, give them a couple of days, and you can't tell which one was lame, but this one hasn't got any better. I have checked her feet and they all look good. I can't feel any heat in the legs and she is eating well.
Any ideas?

[SallyintNorth]

Not much you can do if there are no symptoms other than lameness.  They could have been having a scuffle, probably hormone-induced at this time of year  , and she got bruised, or she could have strained a ligament somehow - but you'd expect some heat with the latter.

All you can do is keep an eye on her, and check again in a few days if she hasn't improved.

[devonlady]

Or maybe a wee stone or something up under her hoof?

[Anke]

I would just watch, as long as she is about and eating fine, not much you can do. Are they in-lamb yet?

If they had a scuffle than it may also be as far up as her shoulder...

[crofter 65]

I have exactly the same problem, we were blaming the Fireworks last week for spooking the sheep and maybe our ewe hurt her self then.

[Bionic]

I'm not lambing this year so no scuffles of that sort.
I will just keep a close eye on her then and see how she goes.
thanks everyone

[Foobar]

I spotted two of mine limping this morning...I blame the months worth of rain we've had this week


I would have a closer look at her foot if you can, maybe you missed something.  Get a soft brush and some water and give it a scrub to get all the crap out and you might be able to see better.  If the sole and between the cleats is all ok then check the back of the hoof and up around the band too.  Don't forget the sniff test, as well as checking for heat all up the leg, and press the hoof and leg a bit to see if she flinches.

[SallyintNorth]

I'm not lambing this year so no scuffles of that sort.

err... unless you've had them spayed, the ewes will still get hormonal every 17 days, and with no tup to service them, they can sometimes get frisky with each other

[Bionic]

I haven't noticed any friskyness but will keep an eye on them in case. thanks SITN

[kanisha]

do people really spay their ewes??

[Hellybee]

Surely not lol x

[crofter 65]

Bionic, is there any improvement with your Ewe?

[Bionic]

Not sure if it's wishful thinking but perhaps there is a slight improvement. It's certainly no worse anyway. I moved them to fresh pasture earlier and she was certainly keen to get to the new grass. Whatever the problem is it doesn't seem to be worrying her too much.

[kanisha]

Semi - serious question Hellybee.  I know of ewes who had their tubes tied following a caesarean. The continental method of spaying a bitch is to just remove the ovaries. Given that with the tubes tied the ewes do continue to cycle. How much more difficult in a ewe would it be to remove the ovaries?

[Hellybee]

Point taken x