Elderly Pet Sheep With Joint Deterioration

[Smaklholderkn]

Hi!

I've got 2 very elderly sheep (at least 11 years old now) who are both very happy grazing but one has now got pretty poor joint deterioration similar to arthritis symptoms and I was wondering what sort of supplements people recommend for sheep?
Very aware of how copper sensitive they are but am I right in thinking that's the only thing I need to be wary of?

I've been looking into glucasomine supplements which I've heard can help but the only glucasomine I have access to would be with a horse supplement at a much lower dose.

Any thoughts/ideas/experiences very welcome.

Shes happy and healthy within herself just not finding it as easy too much around as she used to!

Thank you

 

[neilo]

I will likely upset you but we, as livestock keepers, have a duty of care to our animals imo. If an animal is suffering continual pain, then it is time to grow a pair and look after that animal's best interests.

It makes me furious when I see so many dogs & horses locally being kept going with continual drug therapy, because the owner won't do 'the right thing'.

 

[Agrivator]

There is little if any possibilty of reversing age-related symptoms in sheep. The kindest way would be to have both of them put down. Although you could try to find a companion for the less-afflicted sheep,

 

[Smaklholderkn]

There is little if any possibilty of reversing age-related symptoms in sheep. The kindest way would be to have both of them put down.

One of the pair is not impaired and considering they have lived together since lambing I am reluctant to do this as I think this would be more detrimental if I can improve quality of life for the other sheep. Thank you for your response though. It has been noted

 

[Smaklholderkn]

EDIT: I would just like to note that we are a responsible small holding that does consider euthanasia in the best interest of the animal. In this instance I dont believe it would be in the best interest of both sheep considering their emotional attachment to each other and lack of other herd mates considering only one sheep is impaired. However, as any responsible owner should, we will continue to monitor their progression and quality life and assess necessary options.

If we could maintain comments to the question in hand I would really appreciate it but please rest assured euthanasia is a consideration and therefore doesnt need to be suggested further. Thank You.

 

[Smaklholderkn]

There is little if any possibilty of reversing age-related symptoms in sheep. The kindest way would be to have both of them put down. Although you could try to find a companion for the less-afflicted sheep,

I will likely upset you but we, as livestock keepers, have a duty of care to our animals imo. If an animal is suffering continual pain, then it is time to grow a pair and look after that animal's best interests.

It makes me furious when I see so many dogs & horses locally being kept going with continual drug therapy, because the owner won't do 'the right thing'.

Thank You for your reply. It is slightly more complicated considering the environment both sheep are in and therefore, I have updated the post below. Please rest assured we are responsible smallholders and euthanasia is an option we do consider, it may just not be right at this time hence why I am looking for advice.

 

[clod hopper]

One of the pair is not impaired and considering they have lived together since lambing I am reluctant to do this as I think this would be more detrimental if I can improve quality of life for the other sheep. Thank you for your response though. It has been noted

I totally agree with Neilo if you're sheep needs vet drugs each day . I'd try horse supplements there's lots of products for joint relief. Just convert the body whaight/ g of product. Devil's claw for example is like a anti inflammatory

 

[Smaklholderkn]

I totally agree with Neilo if you're sheep needs vet drugs each day . I'd try horse supplements there's lots of products for joint relief. Just convert the body whaight/ g of product. Devil's claw for example is like a anti inflammatory

Thank You for your response! No vet drugs right now but I'd agree with you both if that were the case. I have been looking into a herbal alternative also so will definately note that moving forward!

 

[Al R]

Thank You for your response! No vet drugs right now but I'd agree with you both if that were the case. I have been looking into a herbal alternative also so will definately note that moving forward!

I was going suggest what all other posters have said but if your really not going to listen.

Have you tried ivy?
How about shearing it and building a pond so that it can go for a swim to ease its joint pain as it will take the weight off the joints. You will have to go swimming with the sheep too as they don’t usually like swimming.

 

[Lili]

Make sure she is not too fat. Being overweight will add to her problems. Pet sheep not rearing a lamb can easily be overfed.

 

[Smudge]

As it's a pet and for the reasons you've given, I think you need to call a decent sheep vet out to take a look.

 

[Highland Mule]

They're sheep, which are incredibly stoic animals and normally mask suffering as a way to effectively to protect them from predators. One of them is showing signs of pain, which given the above means it is really suffering.

I'm sorry, but euthanasia is the only answer for a condition like that with no chance of recovery - anything else is just prolonging its suffering for your benefit. If you are worried about the other one having no companion and suffering too, just get the local huntsman to shoot them both. 11 years is a long life for a sheep, and whilst it may get another one or two with lots of medical care, it would not be a high quality of life.

Of course if you really want to keep the one without any outwardly obvious pain going for a while more, get yourself to market and buy a third animal - sheep should really not be kept in pairs because of this very problem.

 

[primmiemoo]

It is a difficult decision to take. My sympathies @Smaklholderkn because there's always a pet, whether recognised as such or not.

The last time I enquired of a Vet, sheep weren't permitted the sort of painkillers that ponies were. That may have changed. As have been suggested above, talking to a specialist sheep vet is the way I'd go, too, in your position. Until recently there were some 10 year olds here. Since their teeth got the better of them rather than joints, the decision was made for us, in effect.

 

[ImLost]

There is a company called farm and stable that do a lot of natural anti inflammatory products for horses etc. They might be able to recommend something for sheep.

 

[GrannyAching]

You don't actually say your animal is in pain rather that you are observing poor mobility if I understand your post correctly. If that is the case and she is still able to eat properly, move herself out of adverse weather conditions etc, then the first thing I would do is establish whether she is actually feeling pain. You can do this with the vet using a general pain killer/anti inflammatory. If she improves after the pain killer, then I think you do have to plan for end of life. If the pain killer doesn't work, then only you are best placed to judge her quality of life. I would be very suspect of supplements that are not for ruminants although things like Devil's claw seem to be used across species.

I think introducing a couple of other sheep into the filed would be a good idea. They will (as I'm sure you know) run as two separate groups for ages after you make the intro but will start to normalise the idea of there being more animals.

For what it's worth I've got a few here who were super special to for various personal reasons. I've made up a small flock of four to six who spend their days in a few acres attached to a house just keeping the grass down. I keep the group topped up with culls and when the last special goes that will be the end of the group.

 

[MRT]

Warm shed, deep bed, keep her slim, you could go as far as hydrotherapy and massage! The pony drugs are effective but not allowed in sheep sadly.

 

[michael N123]

EDIT: I would just like to note that we are a responsible small holding that does consider euthanasia in the best interest of the animal. In this instance I dont believe it would be in the best interest of both sheep considering their emotional attachment to each other and lack of other herd mates considering only one sheep is impaired. However, as any responsible owner should, we will continue to monitor their progression and quality life and assess necessary options.

If we could maintain comments to the question in hand I would really appreciate it but please rest assured euthanasia is a consideration and therefore doesnt need to be suggested further. Thank You.

If you shoot both there won’t be any emotional attachment

 

[GrannyAching]

Warm shed, deep bed, keep her slim, you could go as far as hydrotherapy and massage! The pony drugs are effective but not allowed in sheep sadly.

Is that a clue?

 

[twizzel]

If you don't want to shoot them, the vet could come put them both down on the same day. Ok so it'd cost more but if they are pets it probably doesn't matter too much. Better to do that than struggle through winter.

 

[An ancient git]

Bite the bullet !! And don't look back ....... And kindest way is to knock both out ......