Ewe lamb weak at hind quarters

docmartin · 11-09-2014 11:44am #1

Hi all, I came here for some advice, found one of the ewe lambs lying a lot yesterday, when I investigated it she can get up, but not straightening the back fully, and as such, can't get the back legs operating properly, she stands with a curved back (as if she's in cold weather). I put her into a pen and gave her a jag of Alamycin, can anyone give any pointers from the symptoms i described?

J.O. Farmer · 11-09-2014 3:26pm

Is it possible she's hurt her back in some way. It may be something that will improve in a day or 2.

Green farmer · 11-09-2014 7:45pm

If you look up "swayback" or Ill joint , It might be something like that .
I had a lamb with similar condition last year. I injected it but made no difference. The lamb survived though.

greysides · 11-09-2014 8:17pm

Could be a spinal abscess. Are there any ticks around?

docmartin · 13-09-2014 9:48am

Green farmer wrote: »

If you look up "swayback" or Ill joint , It might be something like that .
I had a lamb with similar condition last year. I injected it but made no difference. The lamb survived though.

I'm thinking possibly swayback too, gave her alamycin injection, and cobalt b12 drench and nothing has made a difference. would the vet hand out a copper injection over the counter?

greysides · 13-09-2014 12:23pm

Areas would tend to have a Swayback history, also it's a flock disease. Is the area known for it or are others showing similar but lesser signs?

A different antibiotic might be better too.

Green farmer · 13-09-2014 3:51pm

I don't know, you could always ask vet. These things can be hit and miss. The only thing I can tell you is the lamb I had was very twisted spine wise,dragged back two legs around after themselves. but out grew it to a large extent. Nearly looked perfect after 6 months. Walked perfectly but you could see hump in spine. ( may born but kept as a store over winter till spring )

greysides · 13-09-2014 4:53pm

It's actually quite surprising the number of lambs you see at an abattoir that look fine on the outside but have very deformed backs (S-shaped) from the inside.

Green farmer · 13-09-2014 6:06pm

greysides wrote: »

It's actually quite surprising the number of lambs you see at an abattoir that look fine on the outside but have very deformed backs (S-shaped) from the inside.

I often wondered if its down to the mother not getting enough minerals etc during gestation

greysides · 13-09-2014 6:13pm

I'd guess it's genetic.

docmartin · 16-09-2014 10:16am

Hi Guys, problem still ongoing with the lamb, spoke to my vet and she has given me a steroid injection for the lamb and reccomends injecting with Alamycin LA every 2 days. will post an update again as soon as i can

docmartin · 16-10-2014 11:27am

docmartin wrote: »

Hi Guys, problem still ongoing with the lamb, spoke to my vet and she has given me a steroid injection for the lamb and reccomends injecting with Alamycin LA every 2 days. will post an update again as soon as i can

Just to update, after a long time injecting every 2 days with Alamycin LA this lamb seems to have come right

MayoAreMagic · 17-10-2014 9:49am

Did he ever explain what it was? How many injections would you say it took, off the top of your head?

docmartin · 17-10-2014 2:19pm

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

Did he ever explain what it was? How many injections would you say it took, off the top of your head?

i'd say at least 3 weeks of injecting every 2-3 days, so thats throwing up 7+ injections, plus the 3 steroid injections in the beginning, a lot of work but it's a great relief to get one that comes out the right side after a battle

Ewe lamb weak at hind quarters

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