Is this orf?😩

[mysunwolf]

My take on orf with 25 years of sheep experience……

For the sheep, it’s not usually a big deal in terms of their overall health. It’s a virus that will pass on its own. It CAN be a bigger issue if it’s on a ewes udder and she won’t let her lambs nurse or if a lamb gets a bad case and their mouth gets too sore to eat. There are also some strains that are worse than others.

It is zoonotic so it can be passed to humans, that being said, I’ve never *knock on wood* never gotten it from anyone. I wouldn’t say I was ever particularly careful in handling either.

If you show sheep or you bought from a sale barn or a show flock, chances are that you have orf in the flock. Your flock will eventually develop a certain amount of immunity to your strain of the virus and you may only see 1 or 2 lambs with it every lambing season.

Back while we were showing, we actually preferred for the sheep to get orf as lambs because that reduced the chances of them picking it up at a show.

I can’t remember the last time I saw a lamb with orf in my flock. I have added a few new bred ewes this spring so it wouldn’t shock me if their lambs get orf.

I wouldn’t bring home a new sheep with an active case of sore mouth, but I also wouldn’t avoid purchasing from a flock that I knew had sore mouth in the past.

I have gotten it from my flock twice even only having sheep for ~8 years

 

[halfacrehomesteader]

I have gotten it from my flock twice even only having sheep for ~8 years

Yikes! I could see it being fairly easy for me to get because I handle them a whole lot and they are constantly in my space. They are literally in our front and back yard because that's the only land we have . So far so good though so I'm hoping I don't end up with anything.

 

[halfacrehomesteader]

Oh great. Now I'm guessing the ewe has mastitis? I am feeling hard pea sized bumps in her sack and there are a couple puss filled bumps on her teat. Does this sound like mastitis?

 

[Mini Horses]

Wear gloves & milk some out. If it's stringy, yes mastitis. You can put a few drops on test cards that turn color if it is. Some feed stores carry them.

 

[halfacrehomesteader]

Wear gloves & milk some out. If it's stringy, yes mastitis. You can put a few drops on test cards that turn color if it is. Some feed stores carry them.

Her milk looked normal. I will have to get a test card. I don't know what it would be otherwise but it doesn't look like what I have seen when I google mastitis. I am wondering if I can get milk from my other ewe? Her and her lamb never showed any signs of orf and it looks like the crusty stuff is gone from the other lambs.

 

[Baymule]

She makes have gotten Orf on her udder. Please do be careful.

 

[mysunwolf]

It may be subclinical mastitis, and her milk will not be a different color or texture but there may still be bacteria in there. Sometimes they can also get scabs and internal lumps from irritation from orf and/or the babies nursing. Make sure the lamb is getting enough milk and that she's not kicking them off due to her udder being too painful.

And yes, if your other ewe's udder is clear you can get milk from her. We always tried to home pasteurize, I think 145˚F for 10mins or so, to be safe, though I know some folks will drink it raw.

 

[halfacrehomesteader]

Thanks. I have been putting iodine on it and applying with a glove.

It may be subclinical mastitis, and her milk will not be a different color or texture but there may still be bacteria in there. Sometimes they can also get scabs and internal lumps from irritation from orf and/or the babies nursing. Make sure the lamb is getting enough milk and that she's not kicking them off due to her udder being too painful.

And yes, if your other ewe's udder is clear you can get milk from her. We always tried to home pasteurize, I think 145˚F for 10mins or so, to be safe, though I know some folks will drink it raw.

Thanks for the response! I think they are still getting enough. She doesn't seem to be bothered when they nurse. I usually drink the milk unpasteurized for the health benefits but might heat it up just in case for now.