[debbigord]

Our lambs had it last year, a mystery where it came from- somebody suggested thistles to us too. We put out salt licks and kept an eye on the ewes. It was unsightly, but disappeared after a couple of weeks and ewe was fine. I think it just has to run it's course, but I'm expecting it this year as apparently once you have it on your land it remains. Poor little lambies, but it only spoils their good looks for a little while. Do remember to wear gloves though to avoid catching it yourself.

[Me]

Alamycin type spray sorts it out

The medical profession disagree with you

[babysham]

3 of my pet lambs got it last year and one required antibiotics from the vet as became infected. You can spray with Terramycin or use Sudocrem. Unfortunately it is very catching and I caught it on my hand and had to visit the Doctor who was fascinated and gave me some antiviral tabs.

[Marches Farmer]

There is a bacterial infection that has a very mild orfe-type effect (sorry, can't remember the name for now).  Two of our lambs had it a couple of years ago and a/b spray cleared it.  I caught orfe from the calving shed at a farming college but it didn't bother me (might have if it'd been on my face or hand rather than my arm, though).

[Sbom]

Me

We were told last week by one of the vets at Liverpool vet school to use alamycin/Terramycin spray!

[Me]

Ok - it's a virus.. I am in the lucky position of having it on my hand at the moment! 

[Sbom]

Ouch....I've been told its very painful

[Me]

It is. But I'm a wimp! On the plus side I don't need to look in the mirror to see my reflection! Hand is round and shiney!

[trish.farm]

I only noticed the orfe yesterday, could have been there for days and I have been handling the ewes and stroking the one tameish lamb, (who is ok so far)  have been wearing sexy gloves since I noticed it and washing my mitts regularly, but assume I could have caught it already!!!  eeeeeek!!!!!   

[Old Shep]

We have treated with terrmycin spray for first time this year an it seems to dry it up nicely. Repeat 2 or 3 days later and sorted. Sorry vitnerries if this doesnt fit the science ;-)

[SallyintNorth]

Orf is a virus.

Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections.

Orf is not a bacterial infection.

Sometimes, not in every lamb, there may be a secondary infection of the orf lesion.  The secondary infection may well be bacterial.

Orf will clear up on its own.

It will also clear up if you treat it with blue spray, purple spray or dunk the lambies' faces in a concentrated solution of Daz.

Like most sheepkeepers, I feel bad about doing nothing if the stock are clearly suffering - so we use either Daz and/or purple (antiseptic) spray.  Both seem to help prevent secondary infection.

[Me]

But are your sheep whiter than white Sally?

[Kimbo]

Orfe looks a lot like Herpes. If you catch it yourself, do you harbour the virus for life, like Herpes?

[trish.farm]

Orfe looks a lot like Herpes. If you catch it yourself, do you harbour the virus for life, like Herpes?

Oh great!!!  Now I have Herpes to add to my list of problem!!!   

[Kimbo]

sorry Trish!!  Hopefully no relation to Herpes!