[NewHebKeeper]

We are new to sheep having inherited 3 Hebridean ewes with our smallholding from the previous owners.  They were sheared 2 and a half weeks ago and two of them have developed round shiny lumps on their sides within the last week which are attracting flies.  There were no obvious cuts or nicks following the shearing, but not sure if these are bloated sheep ticks or blowfly abscessy type wounds.  Have treated sheep with Crovect today, but anyone any ideas?

[Fleecewife]

Welcome to the world of Hebs!


I can't tell whereabouts on the body that lump is.  If it's just generally somewhere, then have a close-up look to see if it is a sheep tick, although it looks too big.  Ticks have a head and legs near the front (hard to see when it's bloated), and can be twisted out using a cheap tool from the chemist.  Don't pull them out as that leaves the head buried, which can cause an abscess.  That might be what has happened - your shearer may have chopped off the tick, leaving the head behind, and that would turn into an abscess.  If it is, don't prod at it, but spray with something lemony (you can make a spray yourself with a lemon chopped and boiled in water, peel and all) which helps to keep the flies off.  Check around for eggs or maggots.
Equally it could be an abscess caused by a nick from the shears that you didn't notice.  Or it could be a sign of CLA, especially if it is on the side of the neck. Caseous LymphAdenitis.  That requires a vet to view it and treat it.  Some lesions there are also caused by injecting Heptavac - they may or may not become infected.  If it was a pre-existing abscess of that nature, then being cut by the shearer could have opened it which would attract flies.  CLA can be spread by shears, especially from a travelling shearer who isn't totally hygienic with his shears between farms.
If you are really worried, then pop her down to the vet (cheaper than paying for a call-out) for a definitive diagnosis - we really cannot tell just what it is from a photo.

[NewHebKeeper]

Oh of course!  They did have their Heptavac the day after, where the lumps are.  Does this mean they need antibiotics  and a visit from the vet?

[in the hills]

It's not unusual for our Soay to get lumps that look very similar to this one after being given Heptavac. If it's in the location of the injection site it could well be that.


In most cases they just clear up on their own.


On one occasion the lump opened but we treated by bathing with salt water to keep clean and open until it healed naturally and we checked several times each day for flies/strike.

[Fleecewife]

Oh of course!  They did have their Heptavac the day after, where the lumps are.  Does this mean they need antibiotics  and a visit from the vet?

As in the hills says, just nursing care and watch next year in case the lump hasn't gone down at shearing.  It's one of the reasons we stopped using heptavac.  Watch also for pus weeping from the abscess, and clean that daily.

[Maysie]

We had the vet out last week to help with our shearlings Hetavac jabs. 

The vet mentioned that it is very common for the injection site to have a small lump after the injection in the area of the injection, so it sounds like that may be what you have described.