[Jacob-list] Help with new baby lamb

[Robin Lynde]

I wondered from the description of this lamb if the tendons in the joints 
just needed to stretch a bit. I've had calves or kids born that walk on 
their "knuckles". The feet bend under and they can't keep them straight. I 
think that they are bent while in the uterus and they are still that way 
after the baby is born. With calves we found that after a few days they 
would be walking normally. When I have had kids with that problem I have 
made splints to straighten the leg for a few days.
Robin Lynde
Meridian Jacobs
Vacaville, CA
www.meridianjacobs.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ARTHUR PARTRIDGE" <aztreaz at earthlink.net>
To: "jacob-list" <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2010 9:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Help with new baby lamb



> --Previous Message--

>>I had a baby Jacob lamb born Tuesday morning. This is my first and of

> course it isn't a simple one to start out with. Anyways, he can't stand up

> on his front legs on his >own. For some reason they will not bend much 

> past

> 90 degrees. He is sucking from his mother with help.

> ========

> Well, here's my guess (I am not a vet).  I have heard of this before. 

> Good

> news is that it is treatable.  I think it is called Joint Ill, also known

> as neonatal polyarthritis.  It is a bacterial infection that enters 

> through

> the navel at birth or from docking or castrating wounds.  Treatment is

> injections of antibiotic such as LA-200 (oxytetracycline) (I can get it at

> the local feed store).  Give 0.5cc/10 lbs under the skin (NOT muscular

> injections) at 3 day intervals for 3 treatments.  Read more about it 

> online

> or talk to your veterinarian.  The vet can show you how to give

> subcutaneous injections of antibiotics.  There might be some additional

> minor treatments that you can get from your vet or online.

>

> One way to prevent this from happening is to have clean bedding and good

> hygiene.  Be sure to always dip the newborn's navel area in iodine 

> solution

> or whatever else is recommended, do this after birth or very soon after.

> We use an iodine dip.  Good idea to treat wounds from docking or 

> castrating

> to prevent bacterial infection.

>

> There is some info online.  There is a lot online.  I found this:.

> Sheep 201: Sheep diseases A-Z

> http://www.sheep101.info/201/diseasesa-z.html - 121k - 19 hours ago -

> similar pagesJoint ill occurs in lambs up to one month of age. Affected

> lambs are often lame in several joints, usually limb joints, including

> fetlocks, knees, ...

> Joint Ill [Archive] -

>

> Cathy

> Moscow, Idaho

>

>

>

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