[in the hills]

Thanks for your replies.


The ewes have definitely been nibbling at thistles so not sure if it could be thistle prick .... couldn't find much about this on the net or whether the little abrasions caused by the thistles have allowed orf virus to enter.


Will see how they progress. Two of the ewes look improved already but one looks slightly swollen around her muzzle area. Can I use iodine spray from lambing time on her muzzle to try to prevent infection? Would I need to dilute? 


Will keep an eye on udders ..... thanks for your detailed explanation SITN. As yet, lambs mouths look fine.

[jaykay]

I use the same iodine spray I use at lambing

[in the hills]

   Thanks Jaykay

[SteveHants]

The problem with vaccinating against viruses in that family as I understand it, is that they mutate rapidly and ergo they aren't very effective, but I could be wrong.

[Remy]

One of my first orphan lambs got orf, he lost his voice completely but recovered and now has a very weird rasping baa!  Another of the lambs did get it mildly, but at that time the orphans were inside together so I wasn't surprised.  I got a Brinicombe tubby just in case but none of my sheep has ever got it again (touches wood madly ...).  I didn't give the lamb any treatment apart from iodine around the wounds, they healed up well.

[in the hills]

Thanks Remy. Going to treat with iodine and see how they go.


Can't understand why its the ewes and not lambs affected.  Thought they would have been more susceptible. Also apart from a visiting tup no other sheep on here for the last 2 years and thought the ewes would have caught it before if it were already on the land. 

[SallyintNorth]

The problem with vaccinating against viruses in that family as I understand it, is that they mutate rapidly and ergo they aren't very effective, but I could be wrong.

We maybe were lucky, then.  It's certainly worked for us this year.

Can't understand why its the ewes and not lambs affected.  Thought they would have been more susceptible. Also apart from a visiting tup no other sheep on here for the last 2 years and thought the ewes would have caught it before if it were already on the land. 

Yes, that is odd.  Perhaps it isn't orf at all.  Iodine will still be helfpul, whatever it is.

We've a few ewes with some odd lesions on their faces this year.  Absolutely not orf, BH think they may be stings.

[Fronhaul]

Ideally if you are going to use iodine then try and obtain a dry iodine spray.  Orf thrives in the wet and having fought what seemed to be a losing battle with terramycin spray we spoke to a vet who advised us to try dry iodine and even one really badly affected little girl healed up quite quickly.  The infection will be live for some time after all the signs have gone though so if it is orf then don't relax too much until you have been clear for around 6 weeks or more.

[Blinkers]

Does Orf leave any visible scarring, especially on the ears?

[in the hills]

Thanks Fronhaul ..... will try and get some.


If it likes the wet, perhaps that's why we have it all of a sudden.  "Wet" seems to be all we are having this summer. 

[Fronhaul]

I have a little black Shetland ewe who was quite badly affected and she has no scars at all Blinkers.  Oh and there is a lovely man over Llandeilo way who is selling 3 in 1 buckets.  They aren't Brinicombes but from our experiences and the experiences of others they seem to be pretty good.

[Blinkers]

I have a little black Shetland ewe who was quite badly affected and she has no scars at all Blinkers. 

Thanks for that...only I'm on the verge of buying some sheep that suddenly went down with Orf and I still want to complete the purchase but was a bit worried about possible scarring.   

[SteveHants]

I have a little black Shetland ewe who was quite badly affected and she has no scars at all Blinkers.  Oh and there is a lovely man over Llandeilo way who is selling 3 in 1 buckets.  They aren't Brinicombes but from our experiences and the experiences of others they seem to be pretty good.

I bought a brinicombe one once but have since been led to believe its the salt getting in the sores when they kick that clears it up, so I imagine most min blocks would do.

[Foobar]

Blinkers - if you can avoid buying in stock that have ever had orf, you'd be wise to do so.  Although it might have cleared up they can still be carriers.  Don't buy in problems if you can help it.

[SteveHants]

Yeah - I got it when I got some ground and after two weeks the person who had it cheerfully asked if I had orf..I said I didn't and he said that I would now cos his were always getting it....grrr