The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Pedwardine on March 07, 2013, 09:03:58 am
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When Phil did our sheep yesterday, he had a few problems with 'sticky' areas due to the winter build up of lanolin. In a few cases some pregnant ladies got a cut behind their developing udders . It was just a surface wound, not worthy of stitches or anything but a good inch and a half across in one case. Of course we sprayed with antiseptic but my concern is they've got five-eight weeks to go until the popping event and I'm worried that they're just going to bag up and put pressure on those tears. If I keep up with the antiseptic spray to dry it out and promote knitting I guess that will help. Should I be using blue (antibiotic) spray instead perhaps? Seem a stupid question but niggling me nonetheless.
Interesting that the rams had barely any sticky issues, neither did the ewes not carrying lambs. Hmmm :thinking:
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Morning, Last year I had a ewe with a cut to her udder (oh a long story as it always is with sheep ::) ) just before lambing and I sprayed with the blue terramycin spray and to be honest it never caused her any bother at all. Hope your girls are ok, I would go with the blue spray... I use it on everything :excited:
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I have used plaster tar spray (from the horsey section), and it worked well, as it covers the wounds and less muck/flies can get to it.
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Manuka honey will heal it in a blink of an eye and stop infection.
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Pardon for asking, What is Manuka honey?
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Its a honey produced in australia and new zealand from pollen from the manuka tree. Honey has healing properties anyway but manuka honey is meant to be especially good for skin. As a carer many of my clients had manuka honey cream for skin complaints and i'm sure its just as affective for animals.
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Provided it's kept clean it should heal in that time. I find the plastic wound spray works well - seals and stops bleeding. Fearing do one called SBF - Stops Bleeding Fast. The (more expensive) one for humans from the chemist works the same.
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Manukau honey is fab, when any one is poorly, a spoonful with hot water, I have also put in on my own skin to aid healing
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Interesting that the rams had barely any sticky issues, neither did the ewes not carrying lambs. Hmmm :thinking:
Neither the rams or the barren ewes have any strain on their system so their wool will come off more easily. With the breeding ewes you will find that the wool won't "rise" until early summer, by which time it should come off pretty cleanly.
We usually shear in mid June and find that the ewes rearing twins are more sticky than the singles.
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I have used plaster tar spray (from the horsey section), and it worked well, as it covers the wounds and less muck/flies can get to it.
We use this similar too, called cut-heal, for shearing nicks, works really well if you apply it asap after being cut. Really good stuff especially in the summer as it prevents any fly worry to any wounds.
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Pedwardine, I was just wondering if you lambed indoors, as this year I am lambing indoors and the ewes are definitely more sticky than usual! Not very nice when the lambs trying to find the teat and you get a sticky hand! :roflanim: Maybe they're just sweating more?
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The tar spray sounds great. I'll go get some tomorrow. Also keen on trying the Manuka. Do flies get attracted to it in high season at all? Thanks ever so for your feedback. Sheepcrazy, we will be lambing indoors. We always bring our girls inside (with an outdoor yard to give a bit more space this year) a week before the first ewe is due. At the moment however they're outdoors.
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I would go with the blue spray... I use it on everything :excited:
I wish people would not use antibiotic spray when there is no active infection. Wanton use of antibiotics promotes resistance.
For a fresh, clean cut, use antiseptic spray to keep it clean, then there should not be any infection that would require antibiotics.
Save the antibiotic spray for when there are bacteria need killing. Please.
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I have never had flies attracted to the Manuka honey. It is quite expensive but a pot lasts a very long time. A just find it a handy thing to have around for cuts/wounds, despite absolutely loathing honey myself!
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when I said I use it on everything I should have explained myself better... I meant I use it on everything i.e. on all our animals. I agree there is no need to use antibiotics in any medium unnecessarily however in a case of a cut which is in an area which is likely to have been contaminated (which mine was) and showed signs of redness I would defiantely use an antibiotic spray to ensure an infection did not take hold by those pesky opportunistic invaders in such an important area at lambing time. Sorry for any confusion :wave:
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I wish people would not use antibiotic spray when there is no active infection. Wanton use of antibiotics promotes resistance.
Good point Sally.
Purple footspray or something like bactokill would be fine.