[Seven Acres]

Hi everyone I am new to this forum and a newbie sheep keeper and was hoping you might be able to help me please.

I own 6 Shetland cross sheep (this years lambs) some of which unfortunately went down with fly strike a few weeks ago, I've treated them all with crovect and all seemed fine, eating well, bright eyed etc though one of the sheep (jumped?) out of their pen Sunday night and now cannot stand. Is it possible that she didn't make the jump and was hanging/scrabbling for awhile and has pulled something or is there something more sinister going on?

When we caught her yesterday morning to put her back she seemed fine, though, yesterday evening she struggled to get up and this morning couldn't get up at all (I had to lift her), upon standing she appeared very weak in her haunches and could barely walk (left hind being worse)and her head hung between her legs looking very sorry for herself. She was also shaking as if cold (head and shoulders, not full body).
After having a wee and a soft poo she went to sit down again but looked very uncomfortable to do so, so just stood in the corner. I also haven't seen her eat or drink and she's usually ravenous for her sheep pellets.

Could any one please offer some advice? This is the second year we have kept sheep and first time we have ever had any issues.

Thank you in advance.

[TheSmilingSheep]

hello there,
not the most practical advice, but if she's no better today I'd get the vet out to check her over - sounds like she's rather miserable, and since sheep are so good at masking when anything's wrong, when you can actually see that they're feeling bad it often means that there's a proper problem to sort out... good luck....

[clydesdaleclopper]

you really need to get the vet to look at her as you will not get a reliable diagnosis over the internet from someone who cannot examine the sheep.

[harmony]

Vet without a doubt.  Could she have eaten something which has poisoned her whilst she was on the run? Have you checked for strike again?

[Sbom]

Vet.

Out of interest why are they in a pen and not a field?

[waterbuffalofarmer]

I would get vet out ASAP!!! before she goes down hill further. I am sorry this has happened, it sounds rather serious, she could have picked up an infection..... Let us know how it all goes and I wish you both all the best

[GrannyAching]

Vet, now. If nothing else it sounds like she needs pain killers and anti inflamatories. She could have cracked a pelvis or other bone, they have an amazing ability to cope with pain and injury in the short term.

I really hope it's just pulled muscles or similar. Poor thing.

[devonlady]

Poor dear! Do you have a sheep farmer nearby? They will not mind being asked and could possibly give an indication of what's wrong.

[Old Shep]

She could have hurt herself or alternatively  / additionally she maybe has still maggots.  That shaking/shuddering is a sign.  I'd yes contact the vet bit straight away I'd check her again for maggots.  They acn make them so poorly they can't stand, and then they can die.

[Seven Acres]

Thank you all.

Vet has been out, thinks she's caught herself and pulled something. She's standing up and slowly toddling around.

One of the sheep keeps butting her out the way so I'm going to section her off.

We brought them in from the field and have locked them in because of the flystrike...when we cut their wool away to treat them some of them actually had bald/sore patches where the maggots have got in and I wasn't sure if they would then get sunburnt as a result of being outside...? So thought it best to bring them in, giving the skin/coat a chance to heal...?

Thank you for all your kind help, it's rather daunting when you don't have anyone around to ask (all farmers by us have cattle)

[harmony]

Fingers crossed she makes a full recovery. I wouldn't assume your farming neighbours don't know anything about sheep just because they keep cattle. And keep asking questions on here! Where do you live that you have sun?

[Anke]

Sudocream on the bald patches will help healing, and if they actually have raw/broken skin patches, clean out with antiseptic wash and then antibiotic spray. They probably should also have had a long-acting antibiotic injection.

[Seven Acres]

Ok thank you and Thank you all for your kind help and advice, greatly appreciated

[Seven Acres]

Oh and we're keynsham (between bath and Bristol) the sun is still shining