[mcd]

Tonight I have discovered an orf outbreak in multiple sheep (ewes and lambs). This seems to be widespread and rapid. Having bit had an outbreak for years (I use brinicoms orf tubby buckets) the question I have is this: last week we found a stray ewe with no tags was grazing one of our empty fields. After multiple attempts to find the owner she is now with our flock in order not to be alone while we try to work out what to do. However could she be a carrier and transmitted the infection or would this be too short and just coincidence?

[PipKelpy]

Carrier!

I had delivered some new sheep couple of weeks ago and put them on a nice field of grass(ish). Ewes & lambs! 1 DAY later one had a lump, I thought "can't be!" Within the next few days all but 1 are infected with lumps and crusts!

Fortunately it showed earlier so they didn't go with mine who have to go to a tup in another week or so.

Old owner contacted me and told me she'd discovered it in her flock and for me to keep watch!

Orf is one of those things, once got, it's there to come and get you when it wants!

[mcd]

That’s what I had feared. Just didn’t want her in her own until we find the owner. Now I’m on tenderhooks about scab. I really hope she hasn’t got it. It makes me almost want to chuck her back on her own as without ear tags and nobody coming forward I don’t know what else to do. I’ll call the vet in a moment.

[Anke]

You may want to give her an injection re scab even as a preventative, and as orf is concerend, given that the lambs are not suckling anymore I would just let it run its course. They will be immune for the future, but of course may infect future lambs...


She may also have brought (resistant)worms with her...


Sounds like someone dumped her as they didn't want to pay the knackerman...