[Jukes Mum]

As the title says....I have a huge ewe ('Norm'!), due in 14 days and yesterday she became hopping lame.
I didn't want to overly stress her, but we coaxed her into a pen and lifted her foot up. The skin between her 'toes' has split. It is clean and the field is dry and the grass short. I have sprayed the foot, but is there anymore I can do for her? Obviously I do not want to stress her but I am concerned as she is now bearing no weight on it and is laying down. She will get up if I go over and give her a nudge, but she won't stay up for long. She had some pencils this morning but was not eating with her usual gusto.
She is a very heavy girl and I assume that each time she puts the foot down, the toes splay and pull at the split.
Is there anything else I can do for the foot? While I am not too concerned about the injury itself, I am very concerned about her laying down all day 

[m3joeEm]

an injection with oxytetracycline in it would do no harm also . Maybe Alamycin

[Jukes Mum]

It does not seem infected and it is clean and dry and sprayed....

[Thyme]

I don't have any experience with this, but if it is as you say then I wonder if you could tape her foot to stop the pulling?  It looks like there are hoof tape+gel products that are for cows but also usable for sheep.  http://www.uddermint.com/UDDERMINT.com/Other_Teisen_Products.html for example.

[Jukes Mum]

That does sound a good plan!

[Me]

is there anymore I can do for her? Obviously I do not want to stress her but I am concerned as she is now bearing no weight on it and is laying down. She will get up if I go over and give her a nudge, but she won't stay up for long.
Is there anything else I can do for the foot? I am very concerned about her laying down all day 

You can do as suggested and inject LA antibiotics, also as you are rightly concerned by the pain and time spent not eating a sc jab of metacam should help with the pain for a couple of days and help her to her feet. I would avoid wrapping it up with tape personally.

[Jukes Mum]

Thanks Me. Popping to the vet for metacalm now....do you know how much she should have (she weights approximately 597 tonnes  )
Also do you know if the needles I have for Heptavac the same size as I need for the antibiotics?

[Me]

My psychic powers aren't what they used to be - how big are your needles!!  I'm sure they will be fine! 2.5ml/100kg (1.25ml per 50kg) of blubber but check this as there may be different preparations/strengths

I should say its not that thick so will go through fairly narrow needles, also if they will dispense you one shot they may supply a needle anyway

[Jukes Mum]

Sorry I'm not sure what size the ones are that I have- they were supplied to me with/for the Heptavac.
I have just checked out medical supplies and am going to have to get some more antibiotics. Which would you recommend I ask for?

[Me]

Oxytetracycline is a reasonable LA choice for lame sheep which you may find other uses for. Inject IM keep it in the dark
ps I find 18g 1/2 inch needles can be made to work for just about all sheep needs maybe pick up a strip of these too

[Jukes Mum]

Thanks millions. I have phoned the vet and am just waiting for them to call back. I'll keep you posted.
Poor Norm looks ever so fed up.

[Jukes Mum]

Been to the vets and picked up antibiotics and painkiller. Now can't catch the damn thing! They are bucket trained and will usually follow a bucket to the end of the earth, but she won't come. If I go up to her she will hop just out of reach. I certainly don't want to be chasing her around the field 
Will try again in an hour.

[SallyintNorth]

 

Not too much wrong with her if you can't catch her 

[Jukes Mum]

Thanks Sally 
Problem is that she lays back down as soon as she's hopped out the way. I haven't seen her graze at all today and very little yesterday 

[SallyintNorth]

I feel for you, and would worry too.  But she clearly can move about, and no doubt will, when she's hungry.  If it gets bad enough she'll stay put and you can give her the pain relief meds. 

If only they could understand we just want to help!