The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: detnol on February 10, 2015, 01:35:14 pm

Title: Sheep with abscess on upper jaw, advise please
Post by: detnol on February 10, 2015, 01:35:14 pm: I just discovered that one of my ewes probably has an abscess slightly larger than a golf ball on her left upper jaw. If I touch it she doesn't react so I don't think it is very painful. She seems to eat normally. What should I do? We have a vet but he prefers to come when it is really necessary... (I am some where at the end of the world :) )

I have dewormed her on January 26th because I did find her and her two Frisian sisters in a less good condition than my other 13 Lacaune cross ewes.

(http://img4.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_383606DSC02772Kopie.jpg) (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=383606DSC02772Kopie.jpg)

(http://img4.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_745496DSC02773Kopie.jpg) (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=745496DSC02773Kopie.jpg)
Title: Re: Sheep with abscess on upper jaw, advise please
Post by: Me on February 10, 2015, 01:40:32 pm: You can't tell from a photo, it could be relatively serious eg. tooth root abcess or innocuous eg. soft tissue actinobaccilus etc
Title: Re: Sheep with abscess on upper jaw, advise please
Post by: hafod on February 10, 2015, 02:32:11 pm: We had a sheep with one on her lower jaw. We called the vet and he advised pen & strep jabs. The abscess popped and the hole was big enough for us to wash out with very dilute hibi (again as advised by vet over the phone). The ewe was fine throughout and once burst the abscess cleared up quickly. Would your vet give advice over the phone?
Title: Re: Sheep with abscess on upper jaw, advise please
Post by: detnol on February 10, 2015, 08:16:30 pm: No way our vets gives telephonic advise and in the country i live in only vets can give antibiotics :(
Title: Re: Sheep with abscess on upper jaw, advise please
Post by: Marches Farmer on February 10, 2015, 08:51:41 pm: Abscess on carotid lymph node - caseous lymphadenitis?
Title: Re: Sheep with abscess on upper jaw, advise please
Post by: detnol on February 11, 2015, 07:42:38 am: i have never seen CL in my flock or in any flock around us (I live in Slovakia)
Title: Re: Sheep with abscess on upper jaw, advise please
Post by: Me on February 11, 2015, 09:11:32 am: It doesn't look in the right place for the Parotid LN, but a side on view would show it better.
Title: Re: Sheep with abscess on upper jaw, advise please
Post by: Marches Farmer on February 11, 2015, 10:57:58 am: Parotid lymph node is around 5-8cm behind and the same down from the eye, distance depending on how big the sheep is. CLA presently identified in, amongst others, Czech Republic, Germany, Romania, Norway, Poland .....
Title: Re: Sheep with abscess on upper jaw, advise please
Post by: kanisha on February 11, 2015, 05:58:56 pm: stick a needle in to determine it is defiantely an abcess and clean and drain if so? Avoids the needs for Abs and a vet in the first instance
Title: Re: Sheep with abscess on upper jaw, advise please
Post by: detnol on February 13, 2015, 12:48:42 pm: Quote from: Me on February 11, 2015, 09:11:32 am
It doesn't look in the right place for the Parotid LN, but a side on view would show it better.
I don't live in any of these countries ;)

Anyway the vet came (the ewe had difficulties eating normal) - three days antibiotic injections and draining as soon as it will be open(ed)

Thanks for your reactions!