Need advice of a vet or farmer

[gsxrboy]

Dear auntie BCF, I have been given 2 lambs that are about 12 months old, I now realise the reason I was given them is because they have arthritis.
Is there any treatment for this or do they need the lead injection?

Cheers
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www.predatorsport.co.uk Paintball arena located between Northampton and Milton Keynes

[swampy]

Try PM'ing Stinkwheel, he's a vet that works with big animals...
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"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." Hunter S Thompson
"Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death..." Hunter S Thompson

[stinkwheel]

Depends how bad it is and how long they've had it. It is usually a septic arthritis (bacterial infection of the joint) caused by either a bug called erysipalis or a secondary invader called A. Pyogenes.

These are sensative to anbtibiotics BUT antibiotics don't penetrate into joints very well and if it is a long-standing infectionj, the joint can have been totally destroyed by the infection.

So, if you were going to try anything, a long (5-7 days) course of antibiotics would be best (preferrably including a penecillin if it is erysipalis). I sometimes use a drug called Nuflor, which is very effective but isn't licenced for sheep, it would be up to the individual vet as to if they are happy to dispense this for sheep. Trouble then is, the meat withold period for these drugs is going to be around 60 days which would seriously delay them going for slaughter.

EDIT: All comes down to how much they are worth to you. For commercial sheep, I would probably try a few days on antibiotics and see how they are doing. If the response is good, continue. If it is poor....
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[gsxrboy]

Thanks for the reply, very helpfull.

They have had this from birth so infected for 12 months, they have trouble standing for any period of time. Do theses sound treatable?
Can I administer the drug myself or is it a vet only job?
The sheepies are just company for the horses and wont be entering the food chain, well unless in the sumer my BBQ is running a bit low
Thanks
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www.predatorsport.co.uk Paintball arena located between Northampton and Milton Keynes

[Flip]

https://www.abitofhome.ca/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/20312-04.jpg

[gsxrboy]

[msgander]

hey stinkwheel can sheep have cider vinegar like horses can for arthritis or does it do terrible things to their gut?
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Always believe that your guardian angel flies a bit faster than you...............

[stinkwheel]

Different arthritis, in sheep it is usually infectious rather than due to wear and tear on the joints.

Most vets will dispense you some antibiotics for that sort of thing although they may want to see the animal. Most are happy to do this in the back of a trailer if you take them down to the surgery.

The antibiotics would be in injectable form so you would have to be happy to do this.

If they are going to be pets, it would probably be worth a try but if it has been going on for 12 months, chances are their joints are screwed. To give you an idea, the most expensive antibiotic we sell for sheep (based on say a 50kg hog) comes in at around £2 per dose (including VAT).
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Simple]

Are they male or female?

I could provide them with a home.. possibly unless you are miles away.

we already have about 300 sheepies 2 more won't be too hard to cope with
currently got about 6 kade lambs on the go.. all good fun
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Insta - FemFeral

[gsxrboy]

We had the vet out today, not good news, they had been left for to long and needed to be set free. On one hand they got an extra week than the rest of the flock and on the other hand they suffered for a week due to our ignorance, we were passed the buck and had no idea what the buck was... bloody annoying but whats done is done.
Simple, I live very close, do you have a couple of oldies that would be company for our horses and need re-homing?
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www.predatorsport.co.uk Paintball arena located between Northampton and Milton Keynes

[Simple]