[Templelands]

Hi All
We bought our starter flock of Zwartbles a few weeks ago. We have a couple of issues with two of them.


One of the adults has very dry skin on her head - pic attached - any ideas?


One of the lambs is very lame and we picked her up to check her feet - her toes separate and it is pink and look quite sore - we called the vet and he suggested an antibiotic spray. He wasn't too sure if it was foot rot but said it probably wasn't worth our while him coming out just yet. I've found some pics on foot rot but doesn't seem anything like it! Anyone any experience of foot rot and its treatment - is it bad?!


Cheers

[jaykay]

That pink-between-the-toes is called 'scald'. It can be very sore, is caused by a bacteria and is easily sorted out by spraying with antibiotic foot spray (Terramycin or Engemycin) - both blue, that you get from the vets.


Footrot, which is miles worse, seems to be caused by the scald bacteria and another one working together. You know you've got Footrot cos it stinks (and is more in the bottom of the foot rather than between the cleats).

The scabby head could be midges, could be lice, could be sheep scab (mites). You could try treating her with Dectomax, which is an injection (worms them too) and would sort out lice or scab. Have a close look and see if you can see any creepycrawlies - which would be lice. If scab, she'd be rubbing like mad and probably losing fleece too, it's very itchy.