Back in Cornwall, Mrs Brown and Mrs White never became lame at all. In this we were lucky. Lameness in sheep is a major problem for the UK sheep industry with 3 million sheep (out of a total population of around 23 million), estimated to be lame at any one time. Another statistic suggests that on a daily basis anything from 8-15% of an individual flock could be lame. For our flock (currently 13 animals), that means anything from 1 to 2: scary stuff. Today, these statistics were borne out as both Ness (pictured) and Cadbury were limping first thing. On closer inspection we could see that on Ness’ back right foot the area between the two toes was soft, a tad smelly and very moist. The two main causes of lameness in a sheep are foot rot and scald: we suspect this was a mild case of the latter.
Caught early, scald can be treated (using a oxytetracycline spray) such that within one to two days, the infection has been killed and the sheep is no longer lame. Fingers crossed this is the case for Ness as we have indeed caught this early.
We could find nothing wrong on any of Cadbury's feet or legs. His hooves were in pretty excellent shape with the hoof walls intact and the soles nice and flat. For the moment we will simply monitor him!!
We very much hope that tomorrow we won't be 'honouring' the statistics quite so well!!