Re: [blackbelly] CRIPPLED LAMBS
It sounds like it could be genetic if the lambs came from the same ram. Probably a recessive gene. I would try breeding the ewes that produced the crippled lambs to a different ram. Its possible that only a few of your ewes carry that gene so you won't always see the crippled phenotype. Hopefully if it is genetic you have caught it early enough to correct the problem. Quoting Nancy Tom Richardson [EMAIL PROTECTED]: The sheep were all bred to the same ram. but other lambs have been fine that were bred to another ram. We keep out loose mineral and natural protein/mineral blocks. They are fed corn and alfalfa in the winter and still yet this year. We only use safeguard to worm and that is suppose to be safe at all stages of pregnancy. No illness or anything in the ewes this winter that we saw. Some ewes were related but some weren't at all. Can't figure out the soft spot. The U of MO Vet said they shouldn't have one . I had 1 lamb be okay for a couple of days then go down. He had the soft spot also . I don't know if it is some kind of neurological problem caused by the brain not being closed yet and then getting bumped during birth possibly causing some damage or swelling? Its puzzling though. One vet said when the next one is born I should take it alive to the U of MO and have it autopsied. The cost is over $150 . I have never had this problem before now though . Nancy ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [blackbelly] Crippled new born -
Nancy, There are several viruses which cause weakness and neurological problems in lambs whose mothers were exposed during pregnancy. Only a percentage of the flock may be infected. I couldn't find anything that described the soft spots though. Also what about the genetics of your sheep. Are the ewes related that produced the deformed lambs or are they from the same ram? Finally did you worm or give any kind of vaccine or anti-toxin to the ewes during pregnancy? Sometimes these things can cause deformities. Sincerely, Cathleen Quoting Nancy Tom Richardson [EMAIL PROTECTED]: Hello, I have had a new born Jacob who won't lower his back legs . He wants to keep them drawn up . Any ideas? I have had 2 others born that couldn't stand. The legs would fold under at the first joint. Like they were weak. they never got any stronger. Each of these lambs were born with soft spots on their head. I have been told sheep don't have this. Any ideas? Thanks Nancy ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
[blackbelly] Scrapie: virus or prion?
I found a very recent article in which the author shows very convincing evidence that scrapie may intitially be the result of a virus. There are also new strains emerging which have been shown to infect the most resistant genotypes. I am concerned that limiting the genepools to only the most resistant strains may eventually lead to the demise of the rare breeds such as the polled variety. Here is the reference for the article: Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 100:897-915 (2007) If you can't access the article let me know and I can e-mail it to you. Cathleen Cover ___ This message is from the blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
