Orf

[Ukjay]

Hi,

Apologies, but the search function threw my search out as being too short or contained to common words....

Anyhoo, is orf contagious to people, and what treatments are used to treat symptoms in lambs.
Not ours, but doing some fencing for a neighbour today - they told me they had taken some rejected lambs on, and two had what was advised as orf.

So any guidance would be appreciated, as they have a young child who is in close contact with them during feeding etc.

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

People can get orf and can be nasty
Bactakill is good to use on lambs

 

[yellowbelly]

Hi,

Apologies, but the search function threw my search out as being too short or contained to common words....

Anyhoo, is orf contagious to people, and what treatments are used to treat symptoms in lambs.
Not ours, but doing some fencing for a neighbour today - they told me they had taken some rejected lambs on, and two had what was advised as orf.

So any guidance would be appreciated, as they have a young child who is in close contact with them during feeding etc.

Tell 'em to be careful, especially if they've had little contact with sheep before as they could be very naive to infection.........

Mrs YB had it a few years ago.....


.....very nasty and painful.
Gloves for bottle feeding - especially for the little 'un.
Tubby FRO bucket for the lambs. Failing that some rock salt.

 

[jonny]

Didn’t know it was orf till the doctor told me seem to have got it from a nick at shearing

 

[Estate fencing.]

Didn’t know it was orf till the doctor told me seem to have got it from a nick at shearing

That’s a bad one. I had it on stomach a couple of winters again. Must have got it off hoggs head when belly clipping. I remember our lecturer at collage said “wash your hands before you have a pee, orf can take some explaining”

 

[Ukjay]

Thanks everyone, will pass on info.

Is that Backtokill spray just normal Purple Spray used on animals under a different brand name?

 

[Macsky]

Didn’t know it was orf till the doctor told me seem to have got it from a nick at shearing

Have you been self medicating with iodine and Terramycin?

 

[yellowbelly]

Thanks everyone, will pass on info.

Is that Backtokill spray just normal Purple Spray used on animals under a different brand name?

Orf is a virus - you may be aware of a bit of difficulty with another virus recently.

Antibiotics won't touch it, they only control secondary infections. Some people react really badly to it (see @jonny above).
It takes a long while to clear up.

Best if your mates avoid getting it in the first place.

 

[Lili]

Its a virus so you cant cure it. Sprays etc will stop any secondary infection. Tell your neighbours to be ultra careful about handling the lambs. Please dont let any child near a pet lamb with orf. What may be a minor mark on a farmers hand can leave a permanent scar on a child's face.

 

[Ukjay]

They have kept sheep (20 odd) for a few years, but these lambs were rescue impulse lambs, which inadvertently has brought this into their pad.
I did tell them that I thought it was contagious to humans and to be careful - but I just didn't know the issues.

Thanks again

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

Thanks everyone, will pass on info.

Is that Backtokill spray just normal Purple Spray used on animals under a different brand name?

Osmond's spray not an aerosol
Stings a bit but usually effective

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

Think it can live in the soil , had it a couple of times and think I got it out of a trench when putting water pipe in.
Can make you feel I'll as well as the visual signs

 

[maco]

I got Orf last year. Started off like a small wart on my finger and gradually got worse over 4-5 weeks. Ended up getting cellulitis in my arm and having 10 days of IV antibiotics.

 

[Alias]

One vet told us that scratching an infected lamb with scabivax will help to cure it. I had it on a finger when I was younger, and I remember that the itching was enough to send you daft

 

[Forkdriver]

It used to be treated with something called Butter of Antimony, which father applied with a feather after he had rubbed the scabs off. Surprise surprise, he got a dose as well

 

[jonny]

Have you been self medicating with iodine and Terramycin?

Doc said just keep iodine on it

 

[Ukjay]

Better tell them to keep lambs away from their other sheep then too I suppose. They are in their own little paddock currently.

 

[Estate fencing.]

Better tell them to keep lambs away from their other sheep then too I suppose. They are in their own little paddock currently.

Better off letting there other lambs get it. Much better to have when lambs are young. We had a terrible outbreak in a bunch of 18 month texels that where going to be sold. Lost a dozen and had loads with massive swollen heads.

 

[windymiller]

Can be quite nasty for children, so keep kids well away from it.

Rare sheep virus with parallels to coronavirus put boy in emergency care

The 15-year-old was desperately ill for days

www.walesonline.co.uk

 

[primmiemoo]

I had urticaria all over as a reaction to it. It was very uncomfortable, and my skin flaked afterwards. Still have the scar from the pustule on my hand.

Not all GPs know about it, so if you catch it and have a reaction to it, make sure to mention it as a zoonosis.