[moprabbit]

One of my ewes has a swollen sore area on the back of her back hoof, on the soft part in-between the 2 'black things' (sorry, don't know what they're called!) and her hoof. I've tried to attach a photo but I don't think it's worked. To be honest I don't know how long she's had it, because she's not lame - I only saw it when she was lying down. She's had it for at least 2 weeks now, the first week after seeing it, I contacted my vet who gave me an antibiotic injection - engemycin and I sprayed it daily with Animedizon (blue spray) but it wasn't improving, so yesterday I got the vet in. He really wasn't sure what it was - but he gave her a very strong antibiotic Micotil and some Metacam and said keep on with the daily blue spray. One problem is that she is turning round and itching it, consequently any scabs that are forming get 'itched off' and she gets a blue mouth from the spray! I wonderd if anyone had come across anything similar and had any ideas how to stop her from itching it so that it has a chance to get better hopefully?
Thank you   

[Hellybee]

Some form of mite??

[Anke]

It is most likely some form of mites, possibly with a subsequent infection. Or a cut/thorn that got infected, but then she would probably be quite lame on it by now.

Heel mange mites are common at this time of year, never had it in my sheep. In goats it is treated with Eprinex pour-on, I am sure there is also an injectable for it.

[moprabbit]

Thank you for these comments. I've looked up heel mites and on one site I found, it said dip feet in epson salt solution, but didn't give any quantities - does anyone know the quantities to mix up ?
Thank you

[Hellybee]

I would give her a spot on dose too.  I can't find a recipe for the foot wash, but Epsom salts are pretty gentle , perhaps a cup full for say five litres, if easier use little buckets and do feet individually if you can't get her to stand in a tray. 

[moprabbit]

Thank s Hellybee -I'll give it a try!

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Noromectin jabs will kill any internal or external parasites but do the whole flock. Sudacreme is good for relieving the itching and assists healing. Also keeps flies off.




 

[moprabbit]

Thanks for that Buffy! The vet says it could be Strawberry foot rot and has prescribed another antibiotic - DRAXXIN - as it's not getting any better. I want to try to stop her from itching it, you say SUDACREME is good for stopping itching, I'll try that. Would you put Sudacreme on first then spray with the antibiotic blue spray?  Thanks!

[Anke]

Thanks for that Buffy! The vet says it could be Strawberry foot rot and has prescribed another antibiotic - DRAXXIN - as it's not getting any better. I want to try to stop her from itching it, you say SUDACREME is good for stopping itching, I'll try that. Would you put Sudacreme on first then spray with the antibiotic blue spray?  Thanks!

No sudocreme last, after blue spray has dried. Has your vet tested for mites? If AB's don't help then I would definitely treat for mites - Eprinex.

[moprabbit]

Thanks for your advice Anke! Done her today, looked slightly better I think    - bathed foot in an iodine solution, dried, sprayed with blue spray, let it dry then applied Sudocreme. So see what tomorrow brings! 

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Let us know if it heals up.

[moprabbit]

Thanks for asking Buffy! The swollen/sore part is looking slightly less swollen, still a little bit sore in parts, but at least it's not getting any worse! I'm spraying her daily with antibiotic spray and applying Sudacreme, then washing it every couple of days with water and iodine. I'm going to give it another week I think to give all the antibiotics she's had, plenty of time to work. She's still itching it a bit, but not so bad. Wondered about putting a sock on it - but I think she'd have that off in no time! 

[Buffy the eggs layer]

sounds like its getting better slowly. wet grass wont help I suppose but the less it itches the more it will get chance to heal. I also use a yellow ointment that I got from the vet which is for flystrike and horse cuts. You put it on with a brush like furniture wax and it keeps flies off, encourages healing and stops the wound from drying and cracking. Hope it heals soon.

[Hellybee]

If you've had dewy morns I bet that hasn't helped, glad she's a bit more comfortable x

[moprabbit]

Thanks Buffy and Hellybee for being interested in her progress! Still about the same, not so itchy which is giving it time to heal a bit I hope.


 Buffy, do you know what the cream is called?  Is it Summer fly cream - because I've got some of that.


Thanks