[smallflockshearing]

Orf hangs around and remains viable for many months.  If you don't have the pasture then you'll have to mix the flock again and accept that contagion is likely and treat it.  There is a vaccine but you may have to speak to your vet about that - it has a lead-in time so may not work for you if the disease is already present.
Keep applying the spray daily for a few days - if the scabs are infected then that is the right treatment and it will ease that aspect of the problem. 
Otherwise, I would regularly and thoroughly clean all troughs and equipment until you are sure that the disease has gone.  And I agree with Sally - definitely wear gloves.  And keep the kids away.

[Pedwardine]

Get some blue spray. It's always worth having on hand. It doesn't cost much and if you show your vet that pic they'll see it's orf, hopefully won't then charge you for an examination/call out and will prescribe you some.

[SallyintNorth]

I really hope that no vet would prescribe antibiotics for a viral infection!!

[smallflockshearing]

Orf scabs are liable to bacterial infection.

[SallyintNorth]

They can be, yes.

Prophylactic antibiotics are generally regarded as being a bad thing, however.

So uninfected orf should be cleaned and kept clean - Daz and/or antiseptic spray do this job very well.

If the orf lesions get infected then yes, antibiotics may be necessary.

[smallflockshearing]

My you're quick Sally.
I look forward to my next bout of orf so I can try the Daz trick.
Shame that Ecover won't do...

[SallyintNorth]

lol.  Actually the Daz trick predates Ecover - you could try a controlled test...  We just use the Daz because we find it does work.

[smallflockshearing]

We go for non-bio with the septic tank.  I assume that bio is the answer...
I see a PhD thesis appearing...

[Deere]

I find it strange that Ovaloids haven't had a mention when it comes to Orf cases.

They are a small black capsule (same in size as a cod liver oil capsule) and contain different natural ingredients such as.... You guessed it Cod Liver Oil!

They cost about £16 for 100 from most farm supply places and are administered much the same as you would a copper bolus, with an applicator or if your quick enough with your fingers.

Ive found that catching any lambs with signs of Orf, giving them two Ovaloids, and an engemycin/Terramycin spray round the mouth with a follow up spray if needed a few days later can really help the recovery process.
If you feel they need it another two Ovaloids can be given a few weeks later.

I must stress how important it is for people to wear gloves when handling sheep with suspected Orf, it is really nasty!

[graham-j]

Hi,all bar one sheep look a little better today definitely no worse.The worse one looks like it might be more swollen,and has got some deep cracks in its lips.I have some blue spray ready.
I'm going to try,should the water be hot,warm or cold how much should I use.I take it I put some warm water in a bucket and about a mug full of dazz,then stir it up.How do I his head in the bucket,it doesn't sound very easy,I bet it must panic them.
I need to move this ram in with the rest of my girls,should I dose them up with Ovaloids.Poor sheep.

Thanks Graham.

[SallyintNorth]

Very glad to hear you are containing the condition - well done. 

Yes, water warm enough to dissolve Daz and not give them a cold shock along with the soapy water shock!

Yes, push their muzzle in and hold it for a second or two.  It's over quickly and they don't suffer any lasting ill effects.

Once Dazzed and antiseptic sprayed, any deep cracks would probably benefit from Sudocrem.  I haven't used it on orf lesions myself but it is good for cracked hands in humans, and for dry cracked skin following fly strike treatment.

I know nothing about Ovaloids, sorry.  There is a lick that some people use; we've used it ourselves - 'Frobut' Tubby bucket.  Some people say a good mineral / rock salt will do just as good a job.

You could call the vet and ask whether it's worth considering vaccinating - it says it takes up to 4 weeks to develop full immunity, but you may find the vet advises it's worth doing in your situation.

[graham-j]

Hi,thanks again for all the advice,the worse one finally looks a little better today,poor thing.


Graham.

[graham-j]

Hi,day 11 all sheep looking much better now except they look like they have been in an accident in a felt tip factory all different colors of purple and blue.

Thanks Graham.

[devonlad]

good- that sounds a lot quicker than ours took- but we were in midsummer and the flies were constantly on them stopping it healing up 

[graham-j]

Hi,that sounds awful I hadn't thought about fly's luckily none about at the moment.

Graham.