Lamb with bent front legs

[Sallyh5]

My grandsons 4H sheep had triplets and the last was half the others size. All got Bose shot. The little ones front legs are bowed. We have given him 3 shots of vitamin D....one a week for 3 weeks. We have splinted his leg for 5 days but does not seem to be any better. We would love to keep him as a pet but we are at a loss as to what else we can do for him. He is 6 weeks old today. Any suggestions at all. We all love him and are trying to do all we can. He is a good eater and us gaining weight great. He is a bottle baby as well. I just don't want him to be in pain as he gets older.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Try switching the milk replacer with whole milk with a can of condensed milk and continue the vitamin d shots. Hoping it’s not white muscle disease. Take it to a vet to get it checked for that.

 

[Gray Farms]

Splints should be left on longer. I'd say for 2-3 weeks. I've used pvc pipe cut in half. Wrap the leg in vet wrap, one piece of the pvc pipe on each side of the leg, then vet wrap again.

It almost looks like its more in the joints than in the long bones.

 

[Sallyh5]

Splints should be left on longer. I'd say for 2-3 weeks. I've used pvc pipe cut in half. Wrap the leg in vet wrap, one piece of the pvc pipe on each side of the leg, then vet wrap again.

It almost looks like its more in the joints than in the long bones.

 

[Sallyh5]

I agree..it is definitely in his joints. I will rewrap for sure. Thanks for the PC pipe idea!

 

[Gray Farms]

I've found that 1 1/4 pvc is a good size for young lambs. I wonder if some kind of supplements would help him. Nutri Drench or something like that.

 

[Sallyh5]

I will try anything!

 

[Gray Farms]

I keep a bottle in my vet box all the time. It does wonders for lambs that aren't doing to hot at the start. I also give the ewes a dose after lambing.

 

[Sallyh5]

Do I add 1 can of milk to 1 gallon whole milk?

 

[cassie]

Do I add 1 can of milk to 1 gallon whole milk?

To make the formula I think you are talking about, you take a gallon jug of whole milk and pour off about a quart. Add a can of evaporated (not sweetened condensed milk) and a cup of buttermilk to the jug and shake it up. Pour back in enough of the milk you poured off to fill the jug. This formula was made for Boer kids but it should work for lambs too. Both Boers and lambs need a fairly rich milk.