[Maggie]

In 10 years of sheepkeeping (rare breeds) I've had about the same number of reactions to Heptavac, in the form of a wee lump.  I'd never dream of squeezing it.  They tend to go away on their own.  Never sure if it's my injecting technique or the vaccine.  The past 2 years though, I've use an automatic injector and had 1 lump last year.  He was my best ram lamb and went to a nice theme park place in North Devon where he's doing very well indeed.

[Mallows Flock]

In 10 years of sheepkeeping (rare breeds) I've had about the same number of reactions to Heptavac, in the form of a wee lump.  I'd never dream of squeezing it.  They tend to go away on their own.  Never sure if it's my injecting technique or the vaccine.  The past 2 years though, I've use an automatic injector and had 1 lump last year.  He was my best ram lamb and went to a nice theme park place in North Devon where he's doing very well indeed.

Maggie
It's just a gentle squish that's needed to get rid of all that badness and oh my, it is satisfying too! LOL!
The reason I squish is because sometimes it's a blackthorn and the quicker those are out of the flesh, the better. Nasty ole things! It also means I can get some lovely antibiotic spray into the area.

[in the hills]

Thank you for your replies. 
 
 It would appear that reactions at the injection site are quite common and not just in primitives. We would probably not have noticed the reaction lumps in most of the lambs as they are not visible without digging into the wool with fingers ..... so obviously not that large. We only checked when we noticed the abscess on our ewe lamb. This was obvious as there is no wool covering it but again if she was running with a big commercial flock could be missed.
 
 The Heptavac manufacturers were very helpful and said they would look into whether there is anything documented about reactions in primitives and get back in touch with me. This will be interesting.
 
 Mammyshaz - I will try wiping the area as you suggest next time I inject anyone.
 
 Omnipeasant - Not patronising at all. I did try to lift the skin but I must admit the skin does seem quite a tight fit    and I have commented in the past that it is difficult to " tent". Will pay particular attention to this in future.
 
 Taking the ewe lamb to the vets to have the abscess treated was quite stressful for her and also for her mum and twin as they had to be brought in, in order that we could bathe the area twice daily (as recommended by the vet ..... the abscess was cut open). If this happens again is it possible to treat at home?  Exactly how do you drain the abscess?  With what?  Would an antibiotic shot be necessary?
 
 
 

[omnipeasant]

The vet will probably let you have a sterile disposable scalpel to nick it but most people seem to use a wide bore syringe. Never had to do one myself fortunately. Hope she is okay now and forgives you for the indignity of going to the vet.

[Mammyshaz]

Remember that swelling at vaccine site is normal and not necessarily an abscess. Before lancing check it is definitely an abscess or you could just be lancing into reacting flesh which will then become a bigger problem for infection developing.

[jaykay]

I think in general you lance lumps to reduce the pressure and therefore pain. And I think the animal is better off without the abcess if possible. But most don't get septicaemia if you leave them and some get septicaemia with no abcess so I'm not sure that's related.

[Maggie]

Mallow, I hadn't thought of blackthorn!  I have such a lot of the darn stuff too.  I'll do a triple check on lumps next time I see them, just in case that's the problem.  Cheers!

[Mallows Flock]

Mallow, I hadn't thought of blackthorn!  I have such a lot of the darn stuff too.  I'll do a triple check on lumps next time I see them, just in case that's the problem.  Cheers!

I was quite shocked too...first ewe I saw I thought it was vaccination abscess but then when i found one on a ewea throat, 2 more with one on shoulder..I took a closer look (and the little squish LOL) and it (and the pus) shot out like a bullet.

[kumquat]

Well done on the squishing...
To be on the safe side... dig the bushes out and send them to me......
Hmmm... lovely Sloe Gin......
Jon

[Mallows Flock]

Well done on the squishing...
To be on the safe side... dig the bushes out and send them to me......
Hmmm... lovely Sloe Gin......
Jon

LOL Jon... keep your hands off my bushes! I need all those sloes for my Sloe voddy!!! (well, not all of them... in fact, a mere fraction!)
p.s love the name 'Kumquat'...that is the name of my first wether lamb... very fitting for a ram lamb that has subsequently 'lost his quats' I think!!!!

[kumquat]

p.s love the name 'Kumquat'...that is the name of my first wether lamb... very fitting for a ram lamb that has subsequently 'lost his quats' I think!!!!

I've definitely not lost any 'quats', but definitely lost the plot a few times.... 
Made Sloe Voddy for the first time with last years sloes....very nice indeed. Reckon i'll alternate between Gin and Vodka from now on.

[Mallows Flock]

Hahahah! Very funny )
Enjoy the gin!

[suziequeue]

Best sloe gin I ever tasted had an almond or two in there aswell.

[kumquat]

Ahhh, not heard of that one, will give it a try in this years batch....Cheers 

[suziequeue]

It was just peeled and popped in with the sloes.


Lovely subtle flavour but distinguishable