month old Lamb can't stand on front legs

[Zyman]

Hello,

I've just started out with sheep this year and have just had my first lambs. All has gone very smooth so far then two days ago I noticed that a month old lamb can no longer use his front legs.

He'd not shown any signs of problems till now.

We took him home to give him some TLC, make sure he is eating and safe from foxes while he is immobile.

He doesn't seem in distress or pain, he seems awake and alert. his back legs seem fine and vigrous, his stools are normal, his hooves don't smell, no else seems to have any foot or leg prolems.

I wonder if it is some sort of joint problem from vitamin or mineral deficiency??

As it is the weekend the vet is shut and, apart from his front legs, he seems perfectly normal so I didn't want to call the emergency vet.

Any ideas of what it could be / how to help him would be much appreciated

Thank you!

Simon

 

[Humble Village Farmer]

If you get the vet out it will cost more than the value of the lamb. Sorry to disappoint.

Do you know any sheep farmers locally who could have a look?

 

[ladycrofter]

Sorry sounds like joint ill.

 

[sticky]

What’s it like in between its clays?

 

[Montexy]

Sounds like joint I'll, are the joints swollen? Needs AB into it if so. It will cost more than its worth to get the vet out, be cheaper if you take it yourself to the vet or as humble village farmer says get a local farmer to look. Either way sooner rather than later.
Good luck.

 

[delilah]

First thing, take him back to his mum, will only cause problems for him and mum having them apart.

When you say he can 'no longer use his front legs', do you mean he is kneeling ? If so get some magic spray from a neighbour and give a good squirt between his front hooves, then get a can from the vet when they are open.

 

[Pistonbroke]

A new one to me this week, a friend has had lambs like this and they have ticks. Vet reckons it can make their joints sore

 

[Estate fencing.]

A new one to me this week, a friend has had lambs like this and they have ticks. Vet reckons it can make their joints sore

If seen that this time on ewes and lambs on some ground between 2 woods, thought it was joint ill, when I caught them they covered in ticks.

 

[Pistonbroke]

If seen that this time on ewes and lambs on some ground between 2 woods, thought it was joint ill, when I caught them they covered in ticks.

Does it clear up if the ticks are treated or is the damage permanent ?

 

[ladycrofter]

A new one to me this week, a friend has had lambs like this and they have ticks. Vet reckons it can make their joints sore

Yes this! You reminded me, we had that last year, a few very late "joint ills", too old to really be that. I read that ticks cause a similar inflammation. Even tho we tick the newborn lambs, we still had 1 tick pyemia and the 2 above. One survived. IIRC there's not much circulation in joint fluid so it's difficult for the antibodies to get there.

 

[spin cycle]

ab him + metacam...and splint legs using pipe insulation so he can stand is my suggestion

 

[Zyman]

Thanks everyone - I've had another look, his feet look fine. One of his front legs is very weak and floppy, the other front leg is a bit weak, but both his back legs are very strong - I don't know if that means if it is broken or a joint problem? I'll try splinting .

He isn't even kneeling but just lieing down

Sorry what is AB? (I'm new to this)

I spoke to a local farmer who said to give him penicilin.

(Yes during the day I've been keeping him with mother, just in a dog run by the house at night (but with Mum outside) to keep him safe from foxes)

Thanks again

 

[Pistonbroke]

Thanks everyone - I've had another look, his feet look fine. One of his front legs is very weak and floppy, the other front leg is a bit weak, but both his back legs are very strong - I don't know if that means if it is broken or a joint problem? I'll try splinting .

He isn't even kneeling but just lieing down

Sorry what is AB? (I'm new to this)

I spoke to a local farmer who said to give him penicilin.

(Yes during the day I've been keeping him with mother, just in a dog run by the house at night (but with Mum outside) to keep him safe from foxes)

Thanks again

AB short for antibiotic so penicillin etc