Ewe with photosensitivity?

[NoHornsTaa]

I have a Teeswater ewe that has exclusively scabby ear tips and heels. There aren't any scabs anywhere else on her that I can see, and she isn't losing wool

No one else in the flock seems affected, just her. I've blue sprayed a couple of times to no effect, though it doesn't look sore at all and doesn't appear to be spreading. Seems fine in herself and I don't think she finds it particularly itchy (haven't seen her scratching in any unusual way), anyone have any ideas? I thought it might be photosensitivity, but the heels seem like an odd place to be affected to me? Think I'll pop some sudocrem on her today as well

 

[primmiemoo]

Bog asphodel grows in traditional, acidy, wet, seasonal pasture that tends towards being wildflower rich. It's in old, rushy pasture, here. @Gator has a master crop, by the look of it!

I don't think your ewe's condition will get much worse, @NoHornsTaa , but to be on the safe side, treat the ears topically with something like a medicated udder cream, and keep an eye out for any infection. The ears could be starting a bit weepy, so treating, and bringing her into a dark environment should help her heal with fewer nibbles out of her ears.

Others might have fuller advice to give. I'd be interested to know what works best, too.

 

[Gator]

@Gator has a master crop, by the look of it!

Not anymore

 

[Nithsdale]

Took a couple of photos yesterday just of her ears, looks about the same on her heels
View attachment 986625
View attachment 986626
As you can see, she's symmetrical at least

I couldn't see any of the plants you've all mentioned unless she's eaten it all! I do have some drench in so I think I might just do that today in the field and see how she gets on

I think that looks more like Cobalt Deficiency rather than Bog Asphodel, but could easily be either.

Big injection of Betamox (Bog Asphodel) and a high cobalt multi-vit drench or cobalt bolus (deficiency) will cover both bases.

 

[Nithsdale]

View attachment 986646
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She eat this, Bog asphodelView attachment 986650View attachment 986651

Had a ewe here like that for a few years, but her face was bald too

She was a good ewe, cracking lambs every year. I put her through the cull ring in the end - tied both tags round her neck on a bit of light string. Mart were happy enough she was 'tagged'

 

[NoHornsTaa]

I think that looks more like Cobalt Deficiency rather than Bog Asphodel, but could easily be either.

Big injection of Betamox (Bog Asphodel) and a high cobalt multi-vit drench or cobalt bolus (deficiency) will cover both bases.

I drenched her yesterday, so I'll see how she cracks on with that! They aren't in a boggy field and we've been pretty high and dry this year anyway, can't say I've seen Bog Asphodel anywhere on the farm before. Only plants around in that particular field were some elder, nettles, burdock and the hawthorn hedges

How often do you all drench?