Scabby sheep

[newbie]

Going to ring the vet on Monday I think but I thought I'd ask on here first in case anyone has any ideas.
I have a ewe who has scabby eyes, ears, bag and a touch under her belly. It is basically everywhere where there is very little wool.
She's an exlana so very little fleece anyway but this is strictly confined to the non wool areas.
Her skin under her fleece is absolutely sound but the scabs are quite thick and dark.
She's obviously irritated by it as she's scratching quite a bit.
I managed to catch her in the field today, armed with sudocrem. I've put it on all her scabs and she seemed to really enjoy it, suggesting it was providing relief.
My initial thoughts were that she was just super sensitive to the mass of midges we have here but now I'm not too sure.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[newbie]

Anybody?

 

[Man_in_black]

Any pictures??

 

[yellowbelly]

Sounds a bit like Photosensitisation - can be brought on by liver problems/ damage caused by eating harmful vegetation

Edit.http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/i...itization/overview_of_photosensitization.html

 

[newbie]

Taken this morning.
The black bits on her udder are the same black scabs. No sign of anything causing it. No weeping or anything. Just dry black scabs. ???

 

[newbie]

And another. You can see her eye better here

 

[wr.]

Hope it's not scrapie but probably as @yellowbelly said.

 

[yellowbelly]

Pics not quite what I was expecting to see. Let us know what the vet thinks.

 

[Gator]

we get a few from Bog Asphodol

http://farmnw.co.uk/news/saut_disease_are_you_affected_and_looking_for_answers

 

[Gator]

http://www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/business/environment/bog-asphodel-and-saut-lamb/

 

[llamedos]

Urticaria,(nettle rash, not necessarily caused by nettles) more commonly seen on horses. Endless causes, will go as soon as it appears so long as secondary infection does not set in. Speak to your vet.

 

[newbie]

Thanks Gator.
Some similarities but not just the same.
The scabs are dry not weeping. Her back is totally fine. Also I've never seen that plant anywhere near us.
She is a 2 year old ewe and none of the others appear to be affected.
I'm thinking similar to Yellowbelly, that's it's a reaction of some kind causing it.
I've still not ruled out that it could be midges causing the reaction as they're terrible round us and it's all the areas they would bite?
I don't think it's hives as the skin seems more scabby rather than rashy if that makes sense?

 

[Gator]

Thanks Gator.
Some similarities but not just the same.
The scabs are dry not weeping. Her back is totally fine. Also I've never seen that plant anywhere near us.
She is a 2 year old ewe and none of the others appear to be affected.
I'm thinking similar to Yellowbelly, that's it's a reaction of some kind causing it.
I've still not ruled out that it could be midges causing the reaction as they're terrible round us and it's all the areas they would bite?
I don't think it's hives as the skin seems more scabby rather than rashy if that makes sense?

Only ever seen the plant once, a few years ago, they've bloody eaten it before I can find it. Still get the odd one with it though. Good luck

 

[newbie]

Vet's been today. He's not sure either so it makes me feel a bit better. He strongly suspects mites so has taken some skin scrapings to check.
I'll report back when I know the results...

 

[newbie]

Vet's rung back yesterday. He couldn't find any evidence of mites at all. I suppose that's a good thing in that it's not mites but still leaves us with no real answer.
He thinks my suggestion of midges might be right and that she is just super sensitive to them. I've to crovect her and turn her back onto the windy hill and see how she goes.
He's given her a steroid injection and long acting antibiotics yesterday.
It's like sweet itch but in sheep
Looks like she may be getting a one way ticket before next lambing

 

[beltextexel]

Something to do with too much nitrogen on the grass? Can't remember exactly what it is but I'm sure that's what we put it down to in the end. Are her ears swollen or face swollen at all?

 

[Razor8]

Something to do with too much nitrogen on the grass? Can't remember exactly what it is but I'm sure that's what we put it down to in the end. Are her ears swollen or face swollen at all?

Have a ram like that and he was on land that got no fertiliser in 4 years so wouldn't think its that IMO

 

[newbie]

Something to do with too much nitrogen on the grass? Can't remember exactly what it is but I'm sure that's what we put it down to in the end. Are her ears swollen or face swollen at all?

No, no swelling at all. Just itchy and dry scabs :-(

 

[foobar]

I have a couple like that, and I'm 99.9% sure it's midges. The same ewes get affected every year (even on different ground), and daughters, so I've started culling for it. Clearly, like in people, some sheep are more tasty to midges than others.
Ears (first), then around eyes, front of face, armpits etc. Crovect put them off for a bit, but not for long. Tar works, but needs to be done frequently.

 

[newbie]

I have a couple like that, and I'm 99.9% sure it's midges. The same ewes get affected every year (even on different ground), and daughters, so I've started culling for it. Clearly, like in people, some sheep are more tasty to midges than others.
Ears (first), then around eyes, front of face, armpits etc. Crovect put them off for a bit, but not for long. Tar works, but needs to be done frequently.

Glad you've posted this. Thank you.
I will also be culling her at the end of this year. It's not fair on them if they are miserable and suffering every year.
Interesting what you say about the lambs. Her lamb has a tiny bit around her eyes but only very slight. I will keep a very close eye on her too.