[VAnderson4]

Can anyone tell me what may be the cause of the scabs on this ewes face/ears?  It's not something I have come across before.

TIA

[YorkshireLass]

If it's had blisters - orf?


Or this article mentions a bacterial dermatitis sometimes confused with orf


http://www.fwi.co.uk/news/nadis-sheep-disease-focus-july-2006.htm

[Backinwellies]

Looks like my neighbours (Zwarble x)  caused by the sun apparently.

[shep53]

Speak to your vet ,probably needs AB  . have a look at DERMATOPHILOSIS it certainly affects ears and face

[Marches Farmer]

I'd make sure its pour-on is still effective and keep a close eye on it for infection, especially if the flies get on the compromised skin. 

[Oopsiboughtasheep]

One of my Zwartbles gets this in the summer months. The first year she got it (last year) it was dreadful and extensive. Most of her abdomen looked like your sheeps face does. Her ears were also very bad. Caused/aggravated by sun,midges and flies apparently, so is much worse in the daytime of the warmer months. I tried lots of different things on it last year, but it had already got bad before anything started to help, so this year, I started to 'treat' her ears in March and her abdomen area immediately after shearing. I apply Sudocrem to her ears and Udder Cream to her belly every day. If I ever miss a day, it is worse, so it does require commitment. She also has access to a field shelter to get out of the sun. Her abdomen has remained almost perfect this year and her ears much better than last year. She will now stand in the middle of the field unrestrained for me to do all this and gets a bit of digestive biscuit afterwards. I am vigilant about fly protection and keeping an eye for broken skin in case of infection. Last years sore abdomen had Sudocrem put in it until the skin was healed, then the Udder Cream to keep the skin soft and supple. She is a much happier sheep this year. She is absolutely fine in the winter. My other Zwartble is completely unaffected. Hope this helps.

[VAnderson4]

Thanks for the replies.  She had AB with no effect but I have since been using hibiscrub and treating as I would a horse with mudfever after reading up about dermatophilosis.  This seems to have helped and fortunately she's a friendly little sole.  I think I will add sudocrem to the regime, I like the sound of that thanks Oopsiboughtasheep!!