Sheep with swollen heads

RE: Sheep with swollen heads

Julian Earl — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 19:25:16 GMT

Ithink photosensitisation is most likely: change the field/LA penicillin and steroids should help if so. Will recur in future years IME!

RE: Sheep with swollen heads

Busybee — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 14:53:05 GMT

The ewes were in the same field and none of them are affected. They have since been separated adequately.

It certainly looked like photosensitisation, though they were not irritated or rubbing at all and the farmer had not witnessed any shade-seeking.

We treated them with P&S and the worst ones got a shot of dexamethasone. It seems so far so good. I will get an update from the farmer tomorrow.

RE: Sheep with swollen heads

Seadna — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 13:15:02 GMT

From personal experience, black skin doesn't rule out photosensitisation. I treated two classic cases in black cattle last week. The cause was put down to either red clover or buttercups, of which there was an abundance in the field.

Were any of the sheep irritated? Any photosensitisation cases I have seen have presented as a sheep that won't stop scratching and rubbing the head, flicking the ears and mouthing as if trying to spit something out. They also have always seemed to seek shade from the sun,hugging the hedges etc.

I would also be asking about the last fluke/worm treatment they had. Damage to the liver from either parasites or drugs can cause photosensitisation.

How did you treat them in the end up?

RE: Sheep with swollen heads

Virginia Campbell — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 00:53:53 GMT

Are the ewes in the adjacent field? If so, I wonder if whatever is causing the reaction is in the hedge separating them, and the lambs are being exposed whilst trying to get back to their mummies. I would move the ewes to another field far out of sight and earshot if possible.

RE: Sheep with swollen heads

Busybee — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 23:15:43 GMT

Hey, thanks all. Wasps next certainly sounds a possibility! Yes, I did think Bluetongue too, but thankfully DEFRA didn't.

They are mildly pyrexic (40.5C average compared to 39.5C average in the unaffected stock.

Rachel, I looked in the same book and came up with the same but ruled out photosensitisation as there were both white and black faced sheep affected. I also ruled out (as far as poss) clostridial disease (esp Big Head) as all ewes are Heptovac P'd and these were a mix of male and female lambs, 30 in total - that's one hell of a fight - and they didn't feel typically 'gassy'. I guess perioribtal eczema would be similar to an allergic cause.

RE: Sheep with swollen heads

Rachel Brown — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 19:50:55 GMT

Agree with above posters

I looked in Phil Scott's Sheep Medicine book and swelling in head can be photosensitisation, clostridial disease or periorbital eczema

Also below from Merck 'Big Head'

"Big head is an acute, infectious disease, caused by Clostridium novyi, Clostridium sordellii, or rarely C chauvoei, characterized by a nongaseous, nonhemorrhagic, edematous swelling of the head, face, and neck of young rams. This infection is initiated in young rams by fighting or continual butting of one another. It has also been associated with the practice of dipping immediately after shearing. The bruised and battered subcutaneous tissues provide conditions suitable for growth of pathogenic clostridia, and the breaks in the skin offer an opportunity for their entrance. Treatment is with broad-spectrum antibiotics or penicillin"

RE: Sheep with swollen heads

Emily Rainbow — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 19:42:18 GMT

As Linda... Are they pyrexic?

Alternatively could be clostridial if unvaccinated

RE: Sheep with swollen heads

Linda Filshie — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 18:51:48 GMT

Disturbed wasp nest or similar? Looks horribly like bluetongue, doesn't it.