[in the hills]

Arrr ..... I know mine were nibbling the tops out of thistles when they got their scabby mouths. They didn't look as bad as on photos I googled of orf and someone on here mentioned thistle rash so googled that. Couldn't really find any information about this though. Not all my sheep were affected. It was some of the older ewes first and then some lambs. My neighbour thought it was unusual for my shearlings to be affected more than their lambs.


Thistle rash??  Or is it another name for orf because the thistles cause the lesions that let the orf virus in? 

[feldar]

Ours had it this year, we found hanging a salt / mineral for sheep on the fence cleared it up a treat.

[SallyintNorth]

Thistle rash??  Or is it another name for orf because the thistles cause the lesions that let the orf virus in? 

IMO, both.

[Blackbird]

Found mine this morning niblbing the tops out of the thistles on the far side of the fence so I've chopped them down as a precaution.

Cripes.... the amount of times I kiss her on the face...I better watch my own lips! LOL!

Haha! Thought it was just me! I can't resist the curly wool on top of their heads. Got caught by someone walking their dog and got a horrified look!

[SteveHants]

I see lumpy jaw in my ewes from eating thistles every now and then - that is bacterial and requites antibiotics.

[mart2671]

Orf can get in through the rash caused by thistle rash yes indeed , but very often the two are easily mixed up , If you google Orf you will see pics of the desease and it is usually alot more extreme than thistle rash . Orf can be controlled by a live vaccine .

[Mallows Flock]

First ewe with orf's face cleared up in less than a week.... you would never know she had it. Her 'sister' has not contracted it and she keeps lick, lick, licking it, has obviously rubbed it on something as it looks a bit raw in places and it is much more pronounced and going up to her nose (
I wiped it gently with antibacterial teat wipes (LOL) today and put her in with a giant salt lick that she was on immediately as well as a high energy lick in case it puts her off eating.... tho I doubt it...she was trying to snaffle my cheese and tomato pasta minutes later. Will keep my eye on her. poor love.
Never had orf before, but have ALWAYS HAD THISTLES goddammit! 

[Blackbird]

she was trying to snaffle my cheese and tomato pasta minutes later.

Ahem, right, so she's either sitting in the kitchen with you, or you're out eating your pasta in the field with the sheep! And I thought I got funny looks off the dogwalkers! 

[in the hills]

Corr Mallows , you're worse than me  .

[Mallows Flock]

LOL. Ooops! Rumbled! 
Hahah! I am terrible. I snatch half an hour in between my working day and race down there for an extra half an hour of chilling with my woolly lovelies! I love the way Cowslip will just lie down beside me like a dog and be stroked, Hannah tried to taste whats in my mouth and Sheepdog (a sheep...not a dog) will totally trash my bag to find any snacks left behind. Sianny and Cherry nibble my jeans whilst freckles and snowdrop try climbing up my back and nibble my hair. The others just wait in hope that I drop my lunch!
I nver had lunch breaks like that when I worked in insurance or banking way back when 

[supplies for smallholders]

Please be aware that orf can easily be caught by people and is very very painful in its human form.

ALWAYS wear gloves when handling infected animals and eating in the field with them is probably not the best idea in the world....

I know a lot of people swear by mineral and sulphur licks, but there are two products on the market specifically for orf, these are Ovaloid capsules and a preparation called Orph Paste.

Thanks

[ecogeorge]

Just had my first ever outbreak of Orf. Horrible virus - caused awful mouth blisters like extreme cold sores. Vet didn't rule out f+ m at first visit as blisters on tounge also.
Am intending to vaccinate very soon as want to put infected (but now cleared up) ram with clean ewes. Lambs with Orf will pass it to ewes teats who then will not let lambs suckle due to the pain! Have to buy a 50 dose bottle and applicator for only 12 doses !!!!!!
Anyone near Glos / forest of dean area who would like to vaccinate and share / donate towards the cost??
rgds George.

[SallyintNorth]

Please be aware that orf can easily be caught by people and is very very painful in its human form.

It is painful, yes, but it really isn't as bad as everyone makes out.  (Ask me how I know  )  About as bad as when you burn your arm being careless lifting a tin out the oven, and carries on being that sore for up to two weeks.

And the good news is, once you've had it, you are immune.  I guess I get my immunity topped up by handling the odd few orfy lambs each year...

So yes, absolutely, take precautions and try not to get it.  But don't let it keep you awake nights worrying about it, or stop you spending time with your sheepy lovelies.

[Mallows Flock]

SCS - I am already using Ovaloids and am using gloves to administer!
  Sally.... it defo won't stop me lunching in my fields! LOL! If the sheep can handle it, I can ) I already get face-leprosy i.e coldsores.... does that give me any immunity? I mean, I have taken SOME precautions..  . I am certainly not kissing their noses at the mo - LOL but nothing will stop me hanging out with my woolly wonders.

[SallyintNorth]

Sally.... it defo won't stop me lunching in my fields! LOL! If the sheep can handle it, I can ) I already get face-leprosy i.e coldsores.... does that give me any immunity?

 

Well, I too get face leprosy / lip salad (coleslaws) - so it may be that a degree of immunity from that is why I didn't find orf too excessively painful when I had it...