Ewe lamb seems off

Sheepshape

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I would think she has an infection....?ear/sinus.......Mycoplasma is an organism which does this (and responds well to a tetracycline). Have a word with your vet.....I'm sure she can be treated.

Good to know we all have 'odd' lambs, though. My Becky (thought to be blind), nearly drowned in water butt, developed joint ill, remains odd. She isn't totally blind, but clearly has some kind of visual impairment, gets lost (and then bleats loudly and plaintively), socialises poorly, is very small and (unlike) my other bottle lams, isn't really friendly(comes running over, but only wants to be fed, no cuddles) etc.

luvmypets....good luck.....she looks very cute.
 

babsbag

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Mycoplasma is an insidious organism that needs to be eradicated. The frustrating thing about it, in goats at least, is that the testing for carrier animals is just not reliable. I know I have some, but not really sure who. I have tested milk and done ear swabs and they are all negative...at the time of testing. Yet I have had kids with joint problems be necropsied and test positive.
 

luvmypets

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Interesting, thank you all for the advice. I really appreciate all of the input. Last night I took a good long look at Stella and I esecially looked at her facial structure. @purplequeenvt was right that the picture makes her muzzle look crooked. When I first examined her the right side poked out more but it turned out to be fluff. Her muzzle is good and her eyes are even, just the whole ear/squinty eye thing makes it look weird in pictures. I also looked at her jaw and that is nice and even as well. I do agree with southern on her nostril being off as one appears significantly larger than the other. Then again it was hard because she started squirming because she wanted to go back with mom. Her floppy ear does not have any discharge or smell so im wondering what else would I be looking for if it was an infection.
 

norseofcourse

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I've got no ideas on what might be going on, but at least she doesn't seem to be in pain or distress. Hope she keeps doing ok and you may be able to figure out what's going on.
 

Bossroo

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In your first post you mentioned that at birth she was unresponsive. She just might have had some brain damage and due to lack of oxygen , some brain cells were weakend and then died that control nerves to the ear and possible other areas. Just a possibility ?
 

luvmypets

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In your first post you mentioned that at birth she was unresponsive. She just might have had some brain damage and due to lack of oxygen , some brain cells were weakend and then died that control nerves to the ear and possible other areas. Just a possibility ?
Thats very possible, however her ears were normal up until she got sick. That's honestly what's throwing me off, however her ear doesnt look as floppy today.
 

Finnie

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Thats very possible, however her ears were normal up until she got sick. That's honestly what's throwing me off, however her ear doesnt look as floppy today.
I know this is a super old thread, but as I was reading it, the symptoms sounded just like when my mother had Bell’s Palsy. It’s a partial paralysis of one side of the face. They don’t know what causes it. Maybe swelling around the nerves or a reaction to a viral infection. But it gradually heals. Within a year or so of my mother having it, her face was back to normal. I wonder if it can occur in other species besides humans.

Did your lamb outgrow the problem, or did she always have it?
 

luvmypets

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I know this is a super old thread, but as I was reading it, the symptoms sounded just like when my mother had Bell’s Palsy. It’s a partial paralysis of one side of the face. They don’t know what causes it. Maybe swelling around the nerves or a reaction to a viral infection. But it gradually heals. Within a year or so of my mother having it, her face was back to normal. I wonder if it can occur in other species besides humans.

Did your lamb outgrow the problem, or did she always have it?
You know that’s really interesting, I never thought of that. She never did get over it though and was always healthy but off until she died randomly in summer of 2019. No signs just dead one morning.
 
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