[Jon Feather]

Only had the shetlands about 9 months.  One of the gimmers is going bald and worrying at her own fleece.  Iv'e had a look and there are patches of bare skin on her side and rump.  The bare patches have tiny blood scabs as well.  Like she has been pricked by something: I'm sure she hasn't but that's the only way I can describe it.

One of the yews looks to be starting the same way.  Managed to grab and tip her today and she also has a hole in her skin right next to her bag.  About 5mm round.

I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow but in the meantime, any ideas?

[TheSmilingSheep]

I think pictures would be useful, but I think that what looks like a hole near her bag is 'normal' (believe it or not!)...

More of a worry is the wool pulling and bare patches etc.  Best way forward really would be to get a vet to take a look - so that they can correctly diagnose lice or (which would be worse) scab.  The danger of trying to diagnose by forum consensus (which, of course, we're all tempted to do at times...) is that with this sort of problem you can end up spending a lot of unnecessary time (& money) on pointless treatments...

Sometimes a vet can diagnose with a sample of wool and scraping of skin (ie doesn't need to see the actual sheep), but this can be more risky since you need very good samples to diagnose properly...

Also, a number of the possible conditions can spread fairly rapidly among the flock - so best to act as quickly and rapidly as you can...

Sorry not to be more diagnostic, but good luck.

[Sbom]

Sounds like she's made herself sore itching.
Speak to the vet and get some dectomax to treat them all for lice.

[Jon Feather]

They were dipped for lice and things in the autumn.  Should that not keep them clean??

[shep53]

VET please you are describing SCAB                               Dectomax   treats scab  not lice        DIP treatment will have run out months ago

[SallyintNorth]

Scab is still notifiable, I think?  VET

[Anke]

In this warm winter lice can just re-appear.... round here the crows have started to sit on some of the girls again and pull fleece... they will easily spread lice (and worse). But I would pack the ewe in the trailer/back of the pick-up and let the vet have a look at it skin scrapings for scab need to be taken by someone who knows what they are doing. You will probably have to treat the whole flock...

[shep53]

Scab is still notifiable, I think?  VET

     Scotland  yes     England & wales no but they can force you to treat

[waterbuffalofarmer]

Sorry to hear about that. I always treat mine with scab and wormer (all in one) every year; I was however speaking to a farmer friend who uses another scab/wormer injection which lasts longer than Dectomax, I think, I can't remember the name atm but apparently if you have scab on your land (I:E where the sheep have been scratching or from someone elses land passed over) the scab mite can last an awfukl long time and when you treat the sheep with the scab/wormer (dectomax one I think) it runs out before the mite dies, so they can then come back onto the sheep from its hidyhole on the pasture. Thats it I hve remembered it! Cydectin. Apparently it lasts 2 weeks longer than dectomax giving the sheep full coverage against the dreaded scab. http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Pfizer_Limited/Cydectin_1_ACU-_w_v_Solution_for_Injection_for_Sheep/-48184.html However if it is lice then it says that cydectin is not to be used as it makes no difference. Hope this helps. Here is some more info..... http://www.scops.org.uk/ectoparasites-sheep-scab.html I would recommend looking all this up properly though as I have only had it from a fellow sheep farmer who is quite knowledgable, but it may or may not be right, still proper research is necessary before treating animals! http://www.farmanimalhealth.co.uk/sheep-scab

[Jon Feather]

Vet next week then.  Don't have a trailer so it will be SWMBO driving with em in the back of the car with the gimmer.

[mowhaugh]

I would get the vet to come out, it will be more expensive but you do not want to do anything that could potentially spread scab.

[Backinwellies]

Ring your vet in the morning ... mine told me to bring 2 in for examination  ....

[Jon Feather]

The vet has been, taken a scrape and diagnosed Scab.  He's been back this morning and injected them all so they should be ok now.  We have also moved them onto fresh pasture where they will stay for the next month or so, at least.  Just hope the tup doesn't go wandering again because he can climb out of this field.
Bloody expensive things these sheep.

[shep53]

    Would be good to quietly inform any neighbours who had/have any sheep over the fence , as it spreads easily (   your sheep maybe caught it from a  neighbours )