Floppy sheep

[milkloss]

Hope someone may know, was probably on the old forums I expect!

Got a ram lamb that is a bit behind compared to the others and he keeps flopping over on his side. He seems bright and keen on some hay/straw/silage, ears are forwards and attempts to stand when you hold him. Had brought them all in when they started looking pretty crap with this incessant rain and have been on silage and molasses lick feeders for a couple of weeks. Any ideas?

The other is and old ewe that again is keen but seems to have some muscle wastage on one hind leg which seems to be getting worse. I don't think they are linked and they are in different groups. Think she might need a bullet to be honest unless someone can shed some optimistic light on the matter?

Many thanks

 

[ladycrofter]

milkloss Ihad a ram lamb like that once, always the nice friendly ones . . it just got worse as he got older, I think it was some sort of physical deformity that affected him as he got older and heavier, he was perfectly healthy otherwise. Had to end it, he was maybe 8 months old.

 

[KNconsulting]

Are they Texels? There is something called 'wobblers' which causes progressive weakness in the muscle of their hindlegs. It's quite rare but thought to be genetic???

 

[Spartacus]

Do they kind of "run" laid flat out on their sides?

 

[Longlowdog]

I've been there as well. Awesome muscled (friendly) Beltex tup lamb went slowly off his feet and like the poster above elected to end the poor lads suffering. Vet never really any help on that particular case. I feel you may be better to cut your losses but wish you luck if you carry on trying.

 

[KNconsulting]

Some more information on Wobblers - affects Texels and Beltex
http://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/top-priced-texel-deal-suspended.2441765

 

[milkloss]

Do they kind of "run" laid flat out on their sides?

No they don't. Guess you would say CCN if they did (learnt that from BFF). Found him this morning half upside down merrily munching on a bale of straw, strange little bugger. Sheep are mental though.

Interesting about that wobblers reference as I've never heard of it but I don't thik that's what we are looking at here.

I think the ewe is just an old duffer and had enough.