Abscess on face of ram

[Southdown]

We sheared my ram today. He is a babydoll and has wool on his face. After we sheared his face, we discovered an abscess on his cheek. It's round and swollen and had a scab on it. I picked the scab off and squeezed it, which released pus. After I released the pus, there was still a swollen mass, but firm. I put some triple antibiotic ointment on it. I am going to watch it. What is it? My husband thinks maybe a cocklebur, a sliver, or something in the hay poked into him and caused an infection. I instantly thought of a dental abscess. We're really not sure.

 

[BrownSheep]

Possibly dental.

Do you have anything like cheatgrass (downy brome), foxtails, or medusahead rye? anything like that could burrow in causing an abscess.

 

[Southdown]

I'm not sure. Do you think I should try to look into his mouth?

 

[promiseacres]

I would. have you started antibiotics?

 

[Southdown]

Penicillin G Procaine given IM. So far no changes.

 

[promiseacres]

can you see into his mouth? I'd be wondering about a tooth also. does he eat oK?

 

[goatboy1973]

You can wedge a tennis ball in his mouth and this should allow you good access/ view of the teeth.

 

[goatboy1973]

If no change after couple of days, change from pen g to oxytetracycline and treat for wound i.e. woundcare bandaging etc...

 

[Southdown]

We are having difficulty trying to look into the mouth! I'm done with the four days of pen G. I'm not sure if I need to lance it or not. There's really not much fluid behind it, but yet it's not flat either.

 

[Sheepshape]

DO try to have a good look at him. Does he have other lumps?

A dental abscess is possible as is a penetration injury due to e.g barbed wire, but, if there are others, Caseous Lymphadenitis is possible. I hope it is one ofthe former....the latter occurs over here and is a serious illness.