lamb walking on tip toes - twinkle toes

Mar 29, 2022 18:50:38

She's just finished a course of oxytetra-. It helped a bit but not enough.

So reading the vet manuals, this can happen from an infection just about anywhere in the body. The only thing I can find is that the ear with the tag is warmer than the other. The farmer put the tag in an hour before we arrived.

The thing is, if it wasn't for her feet, I would say she's healthy. Her appetite and interest in the world are as expected. She's bright. She finds joy in the world.

Mar 29, 2022 23:00:59

Yet another consult with a professional. Finally found someone who has seen this first hand. We went through the history and possibilities and the conclusion is that it's most likely neurological. This is an unusual collection of symptoms but usually goes away when they are weaned and eating primarily fresh grass. They are at two months old so I can start that tomorrow. It's a bit early but she already prefers grass to milk so I think this is going to be much easier than normal. Give it at least 6 more weeks or if she shows signs of not thriving (loss of weight, refusing food, dullness of eye, limp ears, lack of curiosity, tightness of the muscle, especially around the eyes... all the usual things that mean a sheep isn't happy) before giving up on her.

The treatments I've been doing are exactly correct. Add to this more free choice single minerals (in case the vitamin shot didn't go in correctly - but this would normally present differently). Trust that she will have what she needs.

And possibly wrap the feet if she is receptive to that. But let the sheep guide in this.

The sore has closed on her hoof but I gave another topical treatment to make sure it won't get infected.

Mar 30, 2022 09:11:06

That's brilliant, R! I hope it all works out.

I did a little more reading last night and found a case of a ewe who developed the tippytoe stance right after giving birth. In that case the farmer's solution was to get the lambs off the dam as early as possible so the dam would stop producing milk and then get her onto grass. Apparently this had happened with other sheep at their place and this always worked to set them right. It sounds consistent with the advice you were given to get the lamb onto grass, although a different situation.

Anyway good luck! Sending positive vibes.

Apr 02, 2022 08:50:17

Wrapping the legs took her a while to get used to, but she likes it now and when she's wrapped she shows more inclination to walk on all four feet. At the times when we take the wrap off, she is now walking full weight on her feet, but her joints aren't as strong as I would like, thus the time without the wrap to prevent atrophy. It's about finding a balance.

The wrap thing we found is for horses. It's made out of latex and feels a bit like a tensor bandage (I tried some on me to get a feel for tight to wrap it) but it sticks to itself so it doesn't need those little clips.

Her spirits continue to improve. Yesterday she spent a few moments playing king of the castle with the other lambs before wandering off to eat more grass.

This weaning stuff is hard. They are good at convincing humans to keep feeding them milk. We need to work on this.

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