Treating a lame ram during tupping

[Benr]

One of our Rams has gone lame. There isn't any scald or visible infection but the foot is hot. What's the view on using Oxy LA during tupping, I have heard people say before it can effect fertility?
He is still working as it his front foot but won't be travelling around like he should. He is in a group with other Rams so hopefully will be covered but want to get him sorted

 

[GTB]

It's the temp that makes them infertile not the antibiotic. Jab him asap to keep his temp as normal as possible.

 

[gatepost]

Ask @bovine for the definitive, but Pen and strep would be safer, as I understand it ,it depends on the method of action, if it raises the temp as a way of killing the infection that will also effect the rams fertility,

 

[Woolless]

Some anti-inflammatory along with the antibiotic would be a good idea. Would keep his temperature down and get him back working properly sooner.

 

[Man_in_black]

^^^ Agree, anti inflam/pain killer to get you through when you need him.

 

[Man_in_black]

Only really replied as I've been desperate to do a ^^^^^^^ to bach

 

[reverand]

I had it last year with a tup. I treated with betemox and spray as usual and more importantly put another tup in to help. The lame tup had tupped 90% before he went lame and incidently still managed to tup the rest whilst lame, with a perfectly mobile beltex x tup in with him. Beltex tup now hanging up

 

[bovine]

I'm unaware of any evidence that any antibiotic is any better or worse in these circumstances. I would use the most appropriate antibiotic in the circumstances, whatever that may be.

I'm convinced the treatment doesn't affect the fertility, the infection does. My view is its VITAL you take the animal's temperature before treatment - if its high then its very likely to reduce his fertility. A high temperature will affect sperm for about 50 days in the ram.

Anti-inflammatory is a good idea for the sake of the ram, but again there is no good evidence that it will magically preserve the fertility of the animal. Assume he will be negatively affected.

 

[Benr]

Thank you for your advice. Took his temperature this morning and it was 39.9 so hopefully won't have effected him. Jabbed him with Oxy LA and Recocam so hopefully will be looking better soon