Blocked nose

Hello,

I am a relatively new to owning sheep, we purchased two katahdins lambs in the spring, and ended up buying 2 more icelandic lambs a few weeks later.

When we first purchased one of the katahdins, she had a runny nose for the first two weeks or so of having her. The weather was still chilly outside, and she always seemed to eat, drink, and act just fine. So I wasn't too concerned.

The runny nose cleared up, but over the past couple of months, it sounds like her nose is blocked, there's a louder audible sound of her breathing compared to my other sheep, almost as if it's more of an effort for her to inhale.

I am still not overly concerned, but wanted to know if anyone had any insight? Other than that she is completely healthy. She eats drinks and runs around with everyone else just fine.

I am not 100%, but I'm pretty sure everyone was vaccinated for CD&T prior to purchasing them. I have yet to worm any of the sheep, just based on the color of their eyelids, which I check regularly. However, I have prohibit on hand, which I believe treats for nasal worms if that's the case, but I would have to check.

They are all given their normal loose minerals, and are all on 2nd cut hay at the moment.

Thanks in advance,
Adam

Greetings and welcome to BYH Adam, from NE TX! So glad you joined us, but sorry to hear of the issue that brought you to us. I'll tag a few Sheeple and hopefully one of them might have some insight to offer. @Sheepshape @Mike CHS @mysunwolf @Roving Jacobs and there are others. There's a wealth of info, knowledge and experience shared in the multitude of threads. Browse around and see what interesting stuff you can find. You'll get to "meet" folks at the same time. By all means post away when the desire strikes you, especially if you have questions (provide as much detail/info as possible and pictures truly help)... With all the great folks here, generally someone will respond in no time at all. Oh, and we all love pics, so post them anytime you feel the need! Please make yourself at home!

PLEASE put at least your general location in your profile. It could be very important if/when you ask for or offer help or advice. You know, climate issues and such. I recommend at least your state as most folks won't be able to figure out where if you put anything more specific (county, town, street, etc) by itself. Old folks like me will never remember from this post & look there first. To add it, mouse hover over Account top right and a drop down will appear. Click on Personal Details and scan down. You'll see the spot for Location. Then go to the bottom and save changes. Thanks! Hope you enjoy the site!

@Latestarter is right about your location, especially on this one. If you are in Alaska, nose bots probably aren't an issue. This could be something as simple as an allergy or it could be more serious. Ovine Progressive Pneumonia is a possibility based on what you're saying but I hate to go there that quick.

I haven't had this issue so I'm only putting what I've read out there.

I would take her to the vet just to make sure it isn't something serious.

Welcome!
Are you still active duty?

Hi Adam....and welcome. I'm sure you (like me) will find great benefit from using this site.

Sheep snotty nose? If the sheep is otherwise well, then nasal bots (larvae of the nasal bot fly) are the most likely. As Mike CHS says snotty noses can mean respiratory infections, or (God forbid) Ovine Progressive Pneumonia, but the ewe will be ill with these.....short of breath, coughing, not eating etc.

Over here (one of the not-so-easily- pronounceable town names of mid Wales) nasal bots are generally considered to be relatively benign and treatment for the bots alone only suggested where the animal has a very heavy infestation. If the sheep has other parasites or the infection is a very heavy one, then ivermectin, moxidectin and closantel all work.

Sheep also get an ovine equivalent of the common cold and will be only too ready to blast you with snot when you are feeding them.

A picture of the muzzle may help.

I apologize, I've been a member of a number of different forums, and should have known.

I am located in central Massachusetts.

There hasn't been any kind of discharge from her nose in quite awhile. I will try and grab a photo tonight, but everything seems visually normal. I'm obviously not a vet, I just figured she would exibit more signs if she did have pneumonia.

In the spring she had a runny nose, then it just kind of crusted over and I would go out and clean her nose. Now other than the noise, there's nothing really visual. I might try and grab a video also, just so you can hear what I am talking about.

Curious, I know with other types of worms/parasites that they can be rather contagious, and if one has it, the others are more likely to have them too. But she is the only one out of the four that show any kind of symptom.

I appreciate the fast responses.
Adam

greybeard said:

Welcome!
Are you still active duty?

Click to expand...

Not any more, I did just shy of 10 years in the air Force as a aircraft mechanic before I decided to separate.

I think it may be a flash alarm. When I went home yesterday she was in the paddock and everything seemed fine with no abnormal sounds. Shortly after they were out running around, and then I could here it again, almost as a person would be out of breath, she was breathing harder and I could definitely hear it again. So I'm thinking it's not her normal breathing and more when she's more active. Not sure if that's normal?

Here's a picture, but again everything visually seems fine.

What a cute looking schnoz! Doesn't look out of the ordinary to me... As long as she's not "down" and is doing everything "normally", I'd say just keep an eye/ear on it and not worry too much.