[Emily!!!125]

I have a ewe who is pretty heavily pregnant. Recently, she has started to stand and alternate lifting up each back leg, she's also definitely sore on her feet but it seems like less of a foot problem maybe more of a sore bag?

Is pre lambing mastitis a thing? Have jabbed today but just wanted to see if anybody else has had anything similar. Reluctant to turn over this close to lambing if it is a foot problem.

[SallyintNorth]

Cows can certainly get mastitis pre-calving but I'm not used to thinking of it in sheep.

However, being footsore when heavily pregnant affects every species... 

And yes, tipping over close to lambing not advised if not essential.

99.9% of apparently sore feet peri-lambing are better, with no attention, once lambed.  Maybe subclinical with the extra weight off, but often you can't see any problem if you look, so I'd probably keep a watching brief unless she's struggling so much she is in danger of not eating enough (in which case, give her cake and hay so she doesn't have to move about all the time grazing - but do make her do some exercise because being stationary isn't good for them either.)  If you do decide you need to take a look, it can be better to lift one foot at a time, like a horse, if you've got a helper can steady her for you.

[Richmond]

One or other of our Wiltshire Horns seem to go temporarily lame each year when heavily in lamb with nothing obviously wrong with the feet. It always resolves close to or just after lambing.

Years ago I had dreadful sciatica when pregnant with my first child and could do no more than shuffle about like an old woman for about 3 weeks. Then the baby changed position a few days prior to my due date and I could suddenly walk freely again. Maybe sheep get sciatica too?