Orf

jfh

Hi, we have not had an outbreak of orf in years, however since we started feeding late lambs, they have all got it.
We have given penicillin & alamycin spray a week ago but no improvement. Orf usually clears up after a few weeks but is there anything else to speed it up.
Also is orf unusual this time of year, a local sheep guy was saying it wasn't orf but I don't know of any other disease similar to orf?
Thanks

MayoAreMagic

Looks like orf to me. Have you injected them recently? Sometimes you see an outbreak after giving an injection. I have a few with it at the minute and this is where it came from.

The feeding probably isn't helping matters as they are basically rubbing mouths off each other twice a day. It looks quite raw and Id suspect that is the reason.

Alamycin spray usually works well. Some use salt licks too. If it was me id be tempted to stop feeding them for a while, if it is possible. Maybe separate the infected ones and put them onto some grass so they can heal up.

ganmo

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

Maybe separate the infected ones and put them onto some grass so they can heal up.

No maybe about it, the lambs that recover from it most likely will be immune after. But until then they are the source of infection for the rest

I wouldn't stop feeding as the lambs that get it bad could stop eating grass(too sore to graze) but would eat a bite or 2of meal to keep em going

Green farmer

Mine got a touch of it a while back but not as bad as that. Curiously it was mainly the charlaois x ewe lambs that were more susceptible to it here. As said above alamycn spray and salt licks, dried it out. Just be very careful to wear gloves etc. Can be passed to humans !!!

rangler1

jfh wrote: »

Hi, we have not had an outbreak of orf in years, however since we started feeding late lambs, they have all got it.
We have given penicillin & alamycin spray a week ago but no improvement. Orf usually clears up after a few weeks but is there anything else to speed it up.
Also is orf unusual this time of year, a local sheep guy was saying it wasn't orf but I don't know of any other disease similar to orf?
Thanks

Is there a lot of briars or gorse around, something is tearing the sores to have it as bad as that, better to keep giving the meal too. as they'll be less inclined to graze into the ditches and tear them worse if they're well fed

supersean1999

You need to keep the injections going, every second day at least and spraying it too, I'd separate them, as the troughs spread it like mad

jfh

rangler1 wrote: »

Is there a lot of briars or gorse around, something is tearing the sores to have it as bad as that, better to keep giving the meal too. as they'll be less inclined to graze into the ditches and tear them worse if they're well fed

funny thing is that there's no briars/gorse in that field. i think the timber troughs might be the culprit.

Green farmer

You could be on to something there. I remember hearing before that steel products are better then timber when working with sheep, as mites and bugs can get transferred and survive on timber. He was talking about pens etc but maybe same could be said about troughs .

micky mouse

any disinfectant that can be used in a shed where sheep were that had orf

youngbuck

can lambs vacinated against orf still get it and can they spread it to lambs with no orf 2 weeks after vacination

rangler1

youngbuck wrote: »

can lambs vacinated against orf still get it and can they spread it to lambs with no orf 2 weeks after vacination

Scabivax is a mild form of the disease, I think they even warn about the scabs that fall off being infectious and not to scratch your own skin, were the lambs that they spread it to vaccinated

Willfarman

The vit and minerals seem to be the key to keeping this bxtard of a yoke at bay?

fanadman1

[mod]I've removed the contents of this post until such time as either of the two Ivomec Super active ingredients are shown to have antibacterial or antiviral activity.

The dosage suggested is also a huge over-dosage , about 5-10 times what's recommended however well intentioned.

It behoves us to remain within the law as to recommendations for the use of drugs and that is the reason why we enforce the veterinary portion of the F&F charter which can be viewed here.[/mod]