The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: VAnderson4 on August 29, 2017, 01:42:34 pm

Title: Sheep with Scabby Face and Ears
Post by: VAnderson4 on August 29, 2017, 01:42:34 pm
Can anyone tell me what may be the cause of the scabs on this ewes face/ears?  It's not something I have come across before.

TIA
Title: Re: Sheep with Scabby Face and Ears
Post by: YorkshireLass on August 29, 2017, 07:24:34 pm
If it's had blisters - orf?


Or this article mentions a bacterial dermatitis sometimes confused with orf


http://www.fwi.co.uk/news/nadis-sheep-disease-focus-july-2006.htm (http://www.fwi.co.uk/news/nadis-sheep-disease-focus-july-2006.htm)
Title: Re: Sheep with Scabby Face and Ears
Post by: Backinwellies on August 29, 2017, 07:39:07 pm
Looks like my neighbours (Zwarble x)  caused by the sun apparently.
Title: Re: Sheep with Scabby Face and Ears
Post by: shep53 on August 29, 2017, 08:34:50 pm
Speak to your vet ,probably needs AB  . have a look at DERMATOPHILOSIS it certainly affects ears and face
Title: Re: Sheep with Scabby Face and Ears
Post by: Marches Farmer on August 31, 2017, 04:56:50 pm
I'd make sure its pour-on is still effective and keep a close eye on it for infection, especially if the flies get on the compromised skin. 
Title: Re: Sheep with Scabby Face and Ears
Post by: Oopsiboughtasheep on September 03, 2017, 11:06:17 am
One of my Zwartbles gets this in the summer months. The first year she got it (last year) it was dreadful and extensive. Most of her abdomen looked like your sheeps face does. Her ears were also very bad. Caused/aggravated by sun,midges and flies apparently, so is much worse in the daytime of the warmer months. I tried lots of different things on it last year, but it had already got bad before anything started to help, so this year, I started to 'treat' her ears in March and her abdomen area immediately after shearing. I apply Sudocrem to her ears and Udder Cream to her belly every day. If I ever miss a day, it is worse, so it does require commitment. She also has access to a field shelter to get out of the sun. Her abdomen has remained almost perfect this year and her ears much better than last year. She will now stand in the middle of the field unrestrained for me to do all this and gets a bit of digestive biscuit afterwards. I am vigilant about fly protection and keeping an eye for broken skin in case of infection. Last years sore abdomen had Sudocrem put in it until the skin was healed, then the Udder Cream to keep the skin soft and supple. She is a much happier sheep this year. She is absolutely fine in the winter. My other Zwartble is completely unaffected. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Sheep with Scabby Face and Ears
Post by: VAnderson4 on September 06, 2017, 09:30:46 am
Thanks for the replies.  She had AB with no effect but I have since been using hibiscrub and treating as I would a horse with mudfever after reading up about dermatophilosis.  This seems to have helped and fortunately she's a friendly little sole.  I think I will add sudocrem to the regime, I like the sound of that thanks Oopsiboughtasheep!!