[jheard]

Hi

One of our lambs (born April) was Crovected nearly 5 weeks ago (by the guys we got them from, not us but they are more experienced than us first timers!). Just noticed he is twisting his head around as if to try and get to his back and there are a few flies hovering in the middle of his back. Should I be worried - how soon can I re-crovect and should the dose 5 weeks ago be enough to kill any hatching maggots?? Unfortunately I'll need to wait for him to go into the shelter before I can get a good look as he's still too flighty with us in the field.

Thanks

[Hellybee]

I'd check him yes.   It's 6 to 8 weeks with crovect if I remember rightly, and we ve had so much rain it doesn't last like others sprays like clik n clikzen IMHO.   N five weeks is coming to end of its lifespan. 

[SallyintNorth]

Check him urgently.  The description sounds like strike, and it can kill very quickly once it gets to that stage.

5 weeks is getting to the end of the effective period, but even if it weren't, nothing is 100% - and that sounds like strike.  Act now.

[jheard]

Right. Other half just home so we're off to get him. 

[Sbom]

Definitly sounds like strike....

[jheard]

Thanks everyone. It was strike but have cut all affected fleece away, cleared as much as we could and cleaned up then used the crovect on all lambs. Bless him. We've only had him 10 days and it's our first time with sheep but hopefully caught it in time. He was so good for us though. Phew

[SallyintNorth]

Well done 

Did you clear the fleece well out from the strike you found, too?  Often the little wrigglers scramble away into the further fleece when you start to disturb them....

[jheard]

Hopefully got them. Saw them squirm and grabbed/cut them out. Little monkeys move bloomin' fast don't they?! Think we got a good clear margin of fleece. Fingers crossed he's fine. Thanks for your help - hopefully won't need it again too soon...

[pharnorth]

Well done.  You are unlucky to have this happen so soon in your shepherding career. Had the same thing with an ewe a week or so ago. My sister had come for a nice day out from the town. Stand back I said,  it doesn't get much nastier than this, as I threw maggots in all directions. Lucky she is a nurse and not too squeamish. I take it you put Crovect directly where the maggots were (to draw out and kill any you missed). Worth checking the lamb carefully again tomorrow am and pm to be sure.

It's possible the original crovect used was a bit old/off or simply the lamb didn't get sprayed effectively.

[Kinburn 1919]

Thanks everyone. It was strike but have cut all affected fleece away, cleared as much as we could and cleaned up then used the crovect on all lambs. Bless him. We've only had him 10 days and it's our first time with sheep but hopefully caught it in time. He was so good for us though. Phew

          glad you got him in time, a sheep that has missed could be dead between Friday and Monday,have seen it often, thankfully not for a long time, You should try one of the Longer acting ones next year like Clik or Dysectin... these can last up to 12 weeks and act as insect growth retardants, though if you do get fly strike on one treated with these type products, you still would have to use Crovect or something to treat the strike, as they are only preventative and have no effect on live stuff.. a few years ago I did my lambs with Crovect because the withdrawal period was short, but Clik is now down to 41 days I think..

[SallyintNorth]

Each of us has to make the decision based on our own circumstances and preferences, but Clik is extremely damaging to the environment; it kills dung beetles, amongst other things.

I do understand how important it is to feel that one's sheep are fully protected however, particularly for sheep keepers who aren't in a position to check their sheep themselves every day.

[Penninehillbilly]

Everything OK jheard?
I too had a problem a few weeks ago, thanks to the wonderful people on here I went back and cleared some more fleece off him, and treated him again, that saved his life, 

[jheard]

Yep - thanks everyone. He was a bit quiet last night but we had put him through it a bit. This morning was out munching on grass with his mates and it all looked good on his back. Will check again later. And yes, Crovected the affected area as well as general spray. Me and that crovect gun are now like a well oiled machine! Took a bit of working out!!!

[Melmarsh]

Well done, well spotted, good to see early on in your shepherding career  as it's not something you forget once seen !!!! Very good that you have an eye for a problem and willing to act so quickly . It is worth noting that ,at least my vet , recommends an antibiotic injection and a pain killer as an area like that however small can be very uncomfortable. Worth a chat with your vet some time as long as they are happy to give individual doses . Welcome to the world of sheep keeping 

[nutterly_uts]

Stupid Q - have you re-sprayed them all and not just him?