The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Rusal on August 17, 2016, 06:50:26 pm
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One of my ewes rubbed her throat on a gate until it caused an open wound. I treated it and she appeared to get better but has now started to scratch the same spot on her throat with her back feet. She has now scratched it until the skin is broken.
I have had a good look and there appears to be no underlying cause. I have treated it with anti septic and a sulphur ointment but every time I stop treating she starts again.
It is only the one spot that she scratches.
Any ideas what it might be or how to treat/prevent the problem?
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get the vet to do a skin scraping - it could be lice or it could be scab, either well spread to the whole flock.
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Could there be something in her throat?
Or could the midges be honing in on that area as it has no wool cover so it's making her itch?
Just ideas x
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Cover the wound with Stockholm tar , every time a fly lands and bites she scratches and makes it raw which attracts more flies so more scratching and it keeps going
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Try some itch stop salve from nettex. Fantastic stuff - stopped my horse rubbing his belly raw and I tried lots of other things for him before trying this. He used to constantly tub his belly along the floor until it bled but since using this salve he no longer scratches and his hair has grown back.
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If the ewe starts scratching whenever you stop treating then you need to keep treating long enough for the skin to heal.