Wool around eyes

[babsbag]

Hopefully the foxtails are just in the wool and none have made it through to her skin. Our neighbor had a GSD with a bunch in her skin; she had these abscesses all over her from them. I was surprised the dog didn't die. I know this is the wrong time of year but I would be tempted to shave her head.

 

[TAH]

I know this is the wrong time of year but I would be tempted to shave her head.

x2

 

[Bruce]

Hopefully the foxtails are just in the wool and none have made it through to her skin. Our neighbor had a GSD with a bunch in her skin; she had these abscesses all over her from them. I was surprised the dog didn't die. I know this is the wrong time of year but I would be tempted to shave her head.

I worked at a vet's in So. Cal in college. Foxtails were one of the "repeat business" serious problems. Poor dogs would get them in their ears and the buggers would just keep migrating down. And in their feet. Really ugly when one went in between the toes then into one and festered until the dog was showing signs of a problem to the owner. Doesn't seem to take much time for those to get infected.

No foxtails here (that I know of). We have burdock instead. Thought I had all the vertical parts out of the barnyard/pond area but Laddie managed to find one in the tall weeds on the north end of the pond not long after the alpacas arrived Sunday. Gonna be fun come shearing and "wool picking" time next spring/summer. Fortunately they are mostly on his front legs, chest and some on his face.

The gambrel made a HUGE difference. Unfortunately her face/nose was MUCH worse then I thought
I cut until it got dark and will get some more tomorrow then my dad is coming Saturday. On the funny side I got peed on by a sheep for the first time in my life

I'm guessing that wasn't one of the things on your bucket list Hope you get it all cleared up without further "watering"

 

[NH homesteader]

OK I was truly confused about what foxtails are, but if Bruce doesn't have them I probably don't either! Burdocks aren't fun, but foxtails look way worse.

Sorry the poor girl has this going on, good for you for getting right on it. And don't best yourself up, you had no way of knowing. Now you know what to watch for. And... How it feels to be peed on by a sheep!

 

[Bruce]

Burdock is more of a flowering "shrub", foxtail is a grass.

They start by looking innocuous, as do burdocks

Then they mature and dry so the seeds can spread

Then the individual seeds come off

See how they are designed to go only one way? No backing out.

Then the skin seals over and you have a serious infection brewing.

Burdock seed heads are more like sticky hook ladened balls. The individual seeds can come off but they don't seem to have the "bury deep" spearhead design The seed heads do make great "velcro" when attaching themselves to whatever you are wearing.

 

[Alexz7272]

So I need to buy a some shearers. Awesome. I do not have $400 to spend on shearers, does anyone have any recommendations for reasonably priced ones? I could spend around $200...
I have Tractor Supply near me, anyone have any recommendations from there?
Maybe these: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/lister-shearing-star-clippers?cm_vc=-10005
With this blade attachment: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/lister-shearing-wizard-sheep-clipper-blade?cm_vc=-10005
They do have them in store so I could pick them up tonight. Ughhhh. Thank you....

 

[babsbag]

Don't you just love the money pit? I have no suggestions as no sheep here and clipping a goat is way easier. Hope you get it all taken care of.

@Bruce, those little buggers are nasty. I have a friend who had a goat die when one migrated to its brain and that is was I am so crazy about keeping them away from my dogs. It seems that the plant likes disturbed areas and my yard around the house is all imported dirt. There are no tails growing in the native fields where the goats live, thankfully.

 

[Bossroo]

That blade attachment will do quite well for fleece. But be very careful with the angle that you place the blade . You will cut the skin and make what looks like cat scratches on the sheep's skin until you get the hang of it.

 

[Alexz7272]

So asking the local sheep group if I can get someone out to shave her head as my clippers wont be here until next week. Got some more cut off but need it shaved to see if I need to call the vet (90% sure I will). Going to call him tomorroe either way. Been asking for recommendations this past week. Hoping someone comes through....ugh

 

[Bruce]

Buy them and let me know how they work for you

With only 2 alpacas to shear, I don't suppose I need the most expensive fancy clippers. But then sometimes cheaper doesn't work as well and can be more "expensive" in aggravation and time.

Hmmm only 3 reviews, most recent one not good.