Sheep lameness question

[It was already broken.]

I have done a lot of work over the last 3 years clearing out lameness in my flock which has done wonders. Anything lame is treated and culled without exception. Main flock seem fine.

But I have a small group of yearlings that were put to the tup as lambs but didn't take so I have kept them to try again this autumn. This group is only 12 animals. At the beginning of April they were moved off turnips onto grass and during this move one animal tried to jump the hurdles and went arse over tit taking the hurdles with her. A couple of weeks after the move one was lame, I caught her up and one of her front leg knee joints was swelled up. I assumed she was the one that crashed the hurdles but I don't know for sure. I didn't treat with anything and thought I would wait. She didn't get any better so assuming a broken joint I shot her and put her in the freezer as she was putting no weight on that foot so couldn't move her in a trailer. They have got loads of grass, too much really, and she was quite fat but not stupid fat if that makes sense.

Now today I have another with exactly the same symptoms! Front Knee joint is hot and seems swelled but not as bad as the last animal as yet. Putting no weight on it and has been left behind by the rest of the group. As with the last one there is nothing wrong with the foot. This is not scald I don't think, even when I let the dog off to catch her she was not daring to put any weight on that leg. Two in such a small group seems more than a coincidence so has anyone any ideas where I should go from here? Happy to get the vet out as its the second one but would rather do that with a range of possibles.

 

[unlacedgecko]

I have done a lot of work over the last 3 years clearing out lameness in my flock which has done wonders. Anything lame is treated and culled without exception. Main flock seem fine.

But I have a small group of yearlings that were put to the tup as lambs but didn't take so I have kept them to try again this autumn. This group is only 12 animals. At the beginning of April they were moved off turnips onto grass and during this move one animal tried to jump the hurdles and went arse over tit taking the hurdles with her. A couple of weeks after the move one was lame, I caught her up and one of her front leg knee joints was swelled up. I assumed she was the one that crashed the hurdles but I don't know for sure. I didn't treat with anything and thought I would wait. She didn't get any better so assuming a broken joint I shot her and put her in the freezer as she was putting no weight on that foot so couldn't move her in a trailer. They have got loads of grass, too much really, and she was quite fat but not stupid fat if that makes sense.

Now today I have another with exactly the same symptoms! Front Knee joint is hot and seems swelled but not as bad as the last animal as yet. Putting no weight on it and has been left behind by the rest of the group. As with the last one there is nothing wrong with the foot. This is not scald I don't think, even when I let the dog off to catch her she was not daring to put any weight on that leg. Two in such a small group seems more than a coincidence so has anyone any ideas where I should go from here? Happy to get the vet out as its the second one but would rather do that with a range of possibles.

Any injuries? Check the joint. I had similar in a dry 2 tooth that had been attacked by a dog. Closer inspection, a canine had gone through into the joint capsule.

 

[Skintagain]

12 in the freezer will take some eating

 

[spin cycle]

i would jag it with some ab before getting vet out

 

[AvonValleyFarmer]

i would jag it with some ab before getting vet out

And an anti-inflammatory too

 

[It was already broken.]

i would jag it with some ab before getting vet out

Yes I think you are right. And the anti-inflammatory option. Bloody sheep always think of something to soak your time up.

 

[spin cycle]

Yes I think you are right. And the anti-inflammatory option. Bloody sheep always think of something to soak your time up.

you're right....mum adopted a stray sheep last year....fudge knows where it came from....powers that be don't care....so two red tags....today she's gone awol with two lambs and her daughter from last year

 

[Skintagain]

like gypsies

 

[Northeastfarmer]

you're right....mum adopted a stray sheep last year....fudge knows where it came from....powers that be don't care....so two red tags....today she's gone awol with two lambs and her daughter from last year

Suicide pact