Hi all,
Please can someone offer me some advice.
Back in the summer my small flock of Southdowns caught scab from a neighbouring farmer who kept their infected sheep in the next field to mine. Others in the area caught it also.
When we were all informed, the big scale operators dipped their sheep, but I only have 12. Apart from not being asked if I wanted mine dipped at the time, I was told it would be very expensive to get a mobile dipper for such a small flock.
I was advised to inject with Ivomec, which I did in August. The sheep continued to show signs of acute scratching and wool shedding. I was then advised in September/October to inject with Decotmax, which I did. Still they continued to scratch like mad, and thinking the dectomax hadn't worked, I complained to the company who arranged a local vet to take scrapings to see if the mites still existed. The vet found absolutely nothing. I was then advised in November to inject with Cydectin - which I did. My sheep still look absolutely aweful, and are still scratching like mad to the point of drawing blood.
I have since arranged the same vet to do a second examination and skin/wool scrape - again showing no remaining mites.
I have been informed that although injecting gets rid of the mites, it doesn't get rid of the residue at the base of the fleece like dipping does. This will continue to cause irritation and the need to scratch.
I am at my wits end, with such a small flock that used to look so good, now look like crap. In addition the 6 ewes are hopefully in lamb.
Please, please, please has anyone got any advice of how I can stop the flock itching and scratching.
PS - sorry this post is so long!!