[Blinkers]

Ooo..err....now not sure what to do.  Understood that once sheep had had Orf they didn't get it again  .... and that it was something carried by all sheep anyway.   I quite agree about not buying in problem stock but I've been trying to buy a couple more of these Zwartbles for ages  .   

[Foobar]

I bought in two ewes from a flock which had orf, both ewes were clear when I bought them, but since lambing them I've had orf in a pair of twins from said ewes, plus a few months later on this year orf on two other lambs.

[Blinkers]

I bought in two ewes from a flock which had orf, both ewes were clear when I bought them, but since lambing them I've had orf in a pair of twins from said ewes, plus a few months later on this year orf on two other lambs.

Ahhhhh,.....decision made then  ,   So sorry to hear you've had further problems...what a bore, lets hope that's the end of it for you 

[Maggie]

Drat.  Just found at least 3 of my lambs (late born so still on the ewes) with what looks like Orf.  In 12 years of sheepkeeping I've never had it in my flock and as I haven't bought any new stock this year it's a mystery.  There are a lot of thistles and nettles on their grazing and that could be the culprit.  Thanks again TAS people, this forum is a wee goldmine of info and advice.

Maggie

[in the hills]

Maggie - Same here, in that no sign of orf for first 2 years of my sheep being here and cattle grazed the land before  . Thought if orf was here they would have got it before. Did have a ram visit in the autumn  . I had noticed them eating tops out of thistles just before the outbreak began .... thought it was odd seeing how much grass they have to graze. Thinking it must be orf because now a couple of lambs have slight crusty areas around their lips. Does seem quite mild if it is orf and it seems to be clearing in a few days. Only treated 2 ewes with iodine ..... which they didn't like at all 

[Foobar]

I guess if might be that the orf virus is always there in the environment, and it just needs the right conditions (i.e. this lovely (not!) weather we've been having) to propagate.  And the sheep have more of a taste for thistles this year!
It does sound to me that there is a lot more of it about this year.

[Maggie]

Hello in the Hills and Foobar

If you had a ram visit last year, it could be that.  I bought in 4 shearling ewes last year.

I quarantined the 15 lambs and 1 ewe, and started them on 3 day course of Pen & Strep, not used the orph paste yet, but put Teramycin on the sores, though maybe Iodine would have been better.  Today they look a wee bit better, like it's drying up.  It's still a mystery where the Orf came from though I believe the field we bought 2 years ago, was grazed by another farmer.  I will ask them if they've ever had Orf.  Though somehow I don't think it lies dormant in thistles, more likely lying dormand in one of the shearlings, and like cold sores, it is spread by recent contact.   Sigh.  It's horrible to see the mess my wee Katy is in.  She was my only bottle fed this year and looks like she's done ten rounds with Tyson. Some of mine have it around the eyes and base of horns which is horrible.