A descriptive study of 'kangaroo gait' in sheep in northern Britain

Two questionnaires were undertaken to obtain improved knowledge of the signalment, incidence and risk factors of the condition termed 'kangaroo gait' (KG; a forelimb locomotor disorder of adult female sheep). The first survey was mailed to 221 veterinary surgeons in practices in northern Britain which provided veterinary care for sheep, and the second was mailed to 438 sheep-flock owners and managers located in the Scottish Borders, who were recruited via their veterinary surgeons. Responses of 84.7 and 30.7% were achieved, respectively. In total, 29.7% of veterinary practices and 24.1% of flock owners and managers had identified one or more cases of KG in their practice area or flocks since the first case was reported in 1976. Almost all respondents indicated that adult females were affected-usually during lactation (and less commonly during late gestation). KG was more common among commercial crossbreeds and less common among sheep grazing hill pasture (than sheep grazing upland or lowland pasture). Cases usually occurred between March and June while sheep were at grass, although it was unclear whether the temporal pattern was associated with grazing or lambing patterns. Stocking densities were significantly higher among affected flocks than among non-affected flocks. The annual number of individuals and flocks identified as being affected had increased since the condition first was identified. Most cases of locomotor disorders resembling KG were not reported to veterinary surgeons.