Legless lambs!

[The Devonshire Bloke!]

I've had a couple this year that are a couple of days old fine and the next day all they can do is sit down and crawl around a bit? What's wrong and how do I fix it the last one I gave penicillin every day he never got up as a couple days later he was dead !

 

[Razor8]

Joint ill I would think, betamox or noroclav work best here

 

[CollCrofter]

+1 on joint-ill

 

[bovine]

Probably joint ill. There is a delayed form of swayback (copper deficiency) and selenium deficiency can cause recumbency.

An examination of a live one or a post mortem of a dead one will help.

Do they have a temperature?

 

[Badshot]

Didn't know joint ill could get a two day old lamb, any I've had have been into weeks old when symptoms show.
Clamoxyl every other day sorts it out.

 

[Sheep]

What kind of penicillin, how much and for how long? Joints swollen?

 

[andybk]

low level (or early ) joint ill , we usually hit with ab as above ,up and about in a few days ,
we have one particular shed that used to give us symptoms as described (low roof and a damp wall at back where the lambs always laid )recon joint ill getting in through navel , never put lambs in it now , problem gone .

 

[z.man]

selenium deficiency...... worth a blood test especially if you've lots to go, weak lambs = wasted time = more problems because to tied up with the weak lambs and start missing other stuff, good luck

 

[neilo]

My money's on Selenium deficiency or Swayback. Job to know without seeing the lambs and PM/blood results though.

 

[polk_farmer]

We had selenium deficiency in a couple lambs a few years back. Lost the use of their back legs and would crawl around. Gave them vitisel and something else but couldn't get them going and had to knock them on the head