Author Topic: Wool rot/rain scald (Read 8346 times)

zarzar · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2013, 11:07:12 pm »

A couple of mine have lost odd patches on there backs, all been jabbed for scab and biting insects, they have use of shelter 24/7

FiB · « **Reply #16 on:** January 08, 2013, 09:10:15 am »

This may well be a picture of some other affliction... but previous thread discussions seemed to point at it being this...... although this picture taken this weekend prompted a further trip to vet (without sheep) who said it 'wouldnt be the wrong thing to do to dectomax'! So I have. Thought it was biting lice to begin with (Most sheep do have little tufts sticking out), so crovected, then used spot on next .... But this sheep carried on scratching and sheding - so still worrying about scab (Too much fleece loss for biting lice?).... but only one sheep affected out of 14 - which I'm told would be unusual if it was scab. All Dectomaxed now. So have biting lice (Crovect/Spot on) Sucking lice and scab (dectomax) covered..... but if it is wool rot rain scald...?? What is the treatment

When I got them al in to dectomax at the weekend this one had been scratching so much it had felted its wool around the area which was then pulling at the skin - v sore looking- so I did a bit of cliping to remove the heavy lumps, hope that was the right thing...

I hate the idea that I may be medicating needlessly, but dont yet have the confidence or knowledge to make different choices - how do you start to go down that path?

Bionic · « **Reply #17 on:** January 08, 2013, 09:50:56 am »

Quote from: woollyval on January 07, 2013, 08:25:56 pm

Looks like the wool has gone crusty at the skin and broken off....
Sheep have new wool that grows every year and a weak bit between where the old fleece was growing and the new bit. If water penetrates the fleece and stays wet for a while it starts to rot and breaks at that point....! I will try and see if I can photograph some if the sheep will co operate!

Thanks for the description Val. I haven't noticed anything like that on my girls I am glad to say but I will keep watch as it seems it is never going to stop raining.

Sally