Dipped all sheep on farm last september.Have a bunch of tup lambs that started scratching mid december so took a couple to the vet and they confirmed it was scab.They were weighed and treated accordingly with Cydectin 2%.Stopped scratching buy after a month started again so took 2 to the vey but vet couldnt see any scab or lice even though they took 3samples from each tup.Their in a shed with no contact with other sheep buy keep rubbing against the wall and trough etc.No visible sign of redness or scabs or sores but lost the odd patch of wool.Could it be anything else?Thanks
Scratching
- Thread starter 1982
- Start date
Whatvwas the verdict with you're sheep?Just had vet here taking samples because mine have started itching like mad over night but specifically worst are 10 ewes I bought at Christmas time [emoji86]hoping for lice, think I’ll cry if scab ...
Won’t know until Thursday when bloods come back, he took skin samples and will let me know on them in the morning but he said skin samples will only pick up a couple things
- Location
- East Sussex
The blood test is 100% accurate and I suggest anyone with any doubts to get it done.
That’s why Iv done bloods, strange that mine have been quarantined for 2 months nearly, soon as I let them with rest of the flock they’ve started scratching... how long does it take scab too show normally? Never had it so want too try and handle it right especially with new born lambs around too....
- Location
- East Sussex
Sounds like lice.
CopperBeech
Member
- Location
- A Welsh man lost in England
Scab can take ages to show, can be made apparent by stress, weather etc. Don't get why for the life of me folk buy random small pens from mart. Anything coming from market is highly likely to have scab, thats the way of the world now.
The sheep dipper man
Member
- Location
- north east
Not all sheep will show clinical signs alot can just have sub clinical signs. That means they can just carry the mite. It all comes down to if the sheep has an allergic reaction to the facies of the mite (if it is sacb ).
Hoping for lice tbh a lot of work too inject all the ewes and new born lambs then all the lambs as they’re born for the next 14 days and then the vet said chances are all that will do is control it until lambs can be dipped with the ewes
That’s me done now buying in market I think I’m going to close the flock and only buy tups privately from other closed flocks... seems too be 1 bad experience after another with buying sheep in
The sheep dipper man
Member
- Location
- north east
I might be wrong but i Dont think you can inject new born lambs at least not for the first few weeks !Hoping for lice tbh a lot of work too inject all the ewes and new born lambs then all the lambs as they’re born for the next 14 days and then the vet said chances are all that will do is control it until lambs can be dipped with the ewes
That’s me done now buying in market I think I’m going to close the flock and only buy tups privately from other closed flocks... seems too be 1 bad experience after another with buying sheep in
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- Location
- West Wales
I’m closed and have been 20 years apart from I buy some ewes off 1 farm direct every year for 1 of the other holdings. Scab, abortion, feet and worms are all a big problem and can make a mess of a closed flock very quickly as their immunity has either got naturally higher or naturally lower in some things
The vet said its recommended too leave them a week to 10 days but should be safe after 48 hours Aslong... how old would a lamb have too be too dip it? Seems an expensive way of going about things too inject everything too try and control it too then dip everything when the lambs are up too 25-30kg too then get shafted with a massive withdrawal aswell so I can’t sell the buggers
[emoji849]
The sheep dipper man
Member
- Location
- north east
I looked around on the interweb all i can see it says leave 4-6weeks before being able to inject lambs!.The vet said its recommended too leave them a week to 10 days but should be safe after 48 hours Aslong... how old would a lamb have too be too dip it? Seems an expensive way of going about things too inject everything too try and control it too then dip everything when the lambs are up too 25-30kg too then get shafted with a massive withdrawal aswell so I can’t sell the buggers
There is no stated age for dipping lambs we have dipped them 1 day old before its not ideal to be honest. I like to say if they can be left until they are strong enough, ie around 4-8 weeks thats great.
Only major difference is withdrawal period being a lot less, its 49 days for dipping so if they are dipped at around that 6 weeks yhey are out of withdrawal by the time they get to 12 weeks old and hopefully some are ready to go
I looked around on the interweb all i can see it says leave 4-6weeks before being able to inject lambs!.
There is no stated age for dipping lambs we have dipped them 1 day old before its not ideal to be honest. I like to say if they can be left until they are strong enough, ie around 4-8 weeks thats great.
Only major difference is withdrawal period being a lot less, its 49 days for dipping so if they are dipped at around that 6 weeks yhey are out of withdrawal by the time they get to 12 weeks old and hopefully some are ready to go
I’m half wondering if it might be best and most cost effective too get somebody too come dip all the ewes straight away, and take the risk on the lambs then re do everything + the lambs in 4-5 weeks time [emoji848] any recommendations for somebody who dips in the midlands? Never had to do it before
- Location
- West Wales
@The sheep dipper manI’m half wondering if it might be best and most cost effective too get somebody too come dip all the ewes straight away, and take the risk on the lambs then re do everything + the lambs in 4-5 weeks time [emoji848] any recommendations for somebody who dips in the midlands? Never had to do it before
Says on his profile he’s north east? Stafford’s a long way from the north east [emoji23]
- Location
- West Wales
He does the whole of the UK