[kate. x]

Hiya,
 
I have 2 6 week old lambs, both feeding well, not yet weaned and one of them has a skin complaint. 
 
I can best describe it as cradle cap or flaky eczema. It is on his face, around his muzzle and eyes and also on his legs, it is in patches and is the patches are balding.
Can any one help tell me what this may be?? 
 
Other than his skin he appears well, lively is eating hard food and hay and I am slowly reducing his milk.
 
Can I treat it or is it a vet visit??
 
 
 
 
 

[SallyintNorth]

You would expect us to ask for a picture!    It is hard to tell without.  They can get a rash - milk burn - from the milk, clean and dry their faces to stop this one developing.

If the skin seems sore, most rashes are soothed by Sudocrem.  If there seems to be any infection, use blue antibiotic spray.  If you think there is a risk of infection (eg, the skin is cracked), apply antiseptic eg., Septiclense spray or wash with Hibiscrub.

[Haylo-peapod]

Just wondering if it is the early signs of photosensitisation??

[kate. x]

what exactly would that be??
 

[Haylo-peapod]

Take a look at http://www.pentalk.org/pentalk_vets.asp?nextpageID=26
 
It may have nothing to do with what your lamb has, especially as he seems well in himself and his  symptoms are nowhere near as dramatic. It's just the fact you mention the balding and I recall a fellow smallholder had a few sheep suffering with photosensitisation and the key symptom seemed to be loss of wool on the face.
 
I would have thought a phonecall to your vet may not go amiss - just in case. Good Luck!

[kate. x]

Hi
 
I have tried to attach some photos but it doesnt seem to want to post them !!!!   ahhh

[jaykay]

I do photos through Photobucket.
Upload them into that, copy the IMG code (found in the link bit, icon like a chain) and paste here.

Could be:
Rain rot, midge allergy, zinc deficiency - can't tell til we see pics really.

[Moleskins]

Dermatophiliosis ( spelling ? ) I've had one with it, vet suggested washing with Hibiscrub he went downhill steadily and died. Watch for fly strike if it is,  it gives off a smell which attracts flies

[jaykay]

Dermatophiliosis

that's it, common name 'rain rot'

[kate. x]

[kate. x]

[jaykay]

Sweet little Swaley 
So, how midgy is it where he lives? And how wet/warm has it been?

I ask because that could be both midges or rain rot, so conditions make one or other most likely....

Either way, I would try athlete's foot cream (careful, don't put too much near his eyes, you don't want the next rain to wash it in) - if it's fungus this should help, if it's midges apparently the Mycil cream has anti-itch stuff in it too.

[kate. x]

no noticable midges about,they are in part of my garden so think would notice, although they are under 2 large sycamore trees.
Very wet!! although got to say I think I have the only 2 lambs in west yorkshire who dont like rain! They nip in the shelter as soon as there is the slightest drop of rain!!
He has now got it on the 2 front knee joints.

[tizaala]

Ringworm?

[jaykay]

I'm pretty sure it's rain rot (dermatophilosis). He needs a shot of penicillin/streptomycin combination. WeAr gloves or wash well soon after, when dealing with him as people can get it too.
Mostly they do just mend but it can be contagious and it can spread.

Check he's getting good vitamins and minerals, as being a bit under the weather can make them more susceptible.

PS I don't think any animals (except maybe ducks) like rain, they just have to tolerate it - all will shelter given chance!

Here's a bit of info. rain rot in cattle