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Lambs with scabby swolen ears

johnb5555

Member
Location
Co Durham
Got batch of 100 lambs in pens to weigh and noticed 5 had swollen ears and couple of those going scabby and look like they're gonna peel off. All 5 are 3/4 Texel, 80 batch are Mule and they're fine. Been weaned a fortnight and had access to brassicas for last 7 days. Is it a mineral deficiency or caused by the brassicas.
 

MRT

Member
Livestock Farmer
Could be photosensitisation. If so bring them inside for a few days +/- jab of steroids if really bad - or sunburn!
 

slaney

Member
I haven't a clue ehst it is but since you've already got 4 or 5 different answers you'd better take a pic or ring a cet
 

2tractors

Member
Location
Cornwall
Its photosensitisation caused by the brassicas (or it is in my case- similar situation) locally called "ting", vet prescribed steroids plus strep pen as the steroids can weaken the immune system. Lambs improved overnight.
Had about 10% of 350 affected, hasn't reoccurred once cured.
 

neilo

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Montgomeryshire
Its photosensitisation caused by the brassicas (or it is in my case- similar situation) locally called "ting", vet prescribed steroids plus strep pen as the steroids can weaken the immune system. Lambs improved overnight.
Had about 10% of 350 affected, hasn't reoccurred once cured.

Have half a dozen too, in similar circumstances. One was particularly badly effected, with his head swollen like a football, so much so that his eyelids where swollen so much that he was blind. 3ml of Metacam (no ab's as not infected) sorted him overnight. The others couldn't be caught easily, so been keeping an eye on them to see if they worsen. They have more or less cleared up already (3 days on).

I have had the odd one every couple of years on grass too, so what causes it?:scratchhead:
 

johnb5555

Member
Location
Co Durham
Found this list on a US site, wont ask what some of them are, that could be causes. Also this link, bit heavy, but type 2 sounds most likely.
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/int...itization/overview_of_photosensitization.html
Hungerford lists the following plants as "causing" photosensitization. Alsike clover, burr medic, broom corn millet, caltrop or yellow vine, crowfoot, hairy panic, heliotrope, japanese millet (only sometimes), kale, lantana, lucerne, lupin, paddy melon, panic grass, panicum sanguinale, rape, rye grass pasture, St John's wort, subterranean clover, summer grass, trefoils, yellow vine. I have also read authorities recommending against using kikuyu in pasture, because of its association with photosensitization.
 

johnb5555

Member
Location
Co Durham
Crikey, vet gave me Betamox LA and Dexafort a anti-inflammatory. I'd jabbed worst 3 before I read small print, 63 day meat withdrawal. That must be one of the longest withdrawals around.
 

MRT

Member
Livestock Farmer
Yeah steroid withdrawls are scary, but then if they are bad with the photosensitisation and you don't give the 'roids they will take such a growth hit that they wont be away for that long anyway
 

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Webinar: Expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive offer 2024 -26th Sept

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On Thursday 26th September, we’re holding a webinar for farmers to go through the guidance, actions and detail for the expanded Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer. This was planned for end of May, but had to be delayed due to the general election. We apologise about that.

Farming and Countryside Programme Director, Janet Hughes will be joined by policy leads working on SFI, and colleagues from the Rural Payment Agency and Catchment Sensitive Farming.

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