Sore Mouth vaccination

Ram20

Exploring the pasture
Joined
Jul 14, 2013
Messages
25
Reaction score
2
Points
19
Some of my ewe's have had sore mouth and it just runs it's course with no problems. I want to vaccinate my lambs to prevent them from having it while nursing. I understand that there is a vaccination for the Texas and Colorado strain. Also a Scabivax vaccine. Which one should I use and best place to get it.
 

Parsnip

Loving the herd life
Joined
Sep 13, 2013
Messages
448
Reaction score
218
Points
123
Location
Oregon
Do your ewes actively have it?

All of my ewes have had soremouth this past fall, and two of them are mothers right now.
I have seen no problems with the little lambies ;)

I just gave the ewes their CD&T in December, before lambing.
Lambs are doin' good now! ;)
 

Ram20

Exploring the pasture
Joined
Jul 14, 2013
Messages
25
Reaction score
2
Points
19
I bought some ewe's that were bred and they lambed a few weeks ago. I have about 10 lamb's with sore mouth. Some of the ewe's I already had have had sore mouth. The virus is one the farm. I still have some that will lamb and thought I might vaccinate them just to prevent problems with the ewe's utter.
 

Parsnip

Loving the herd life
Joined
Sep 13, 2013
Messages
448
Reaction score
218
Points
123
Location
Oregon
I've never had lambs with soremouth, just older ewe lambs.
I guess I was lucky and my ewes had it when they were in the very early stages of pregnancy.

I didn't vaccinate mine so I have no advice haha, sorry!
I do remember sores on one of the ewes udder though, but she wasn't in milk, so it wasn't a biggie.
Hope someone has good advice for you!!!!
 

purplequeenvt

Herd Master
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Messages
2,537
Reaction score
4,905
Points
373
Location
Rineyville, KY
The vaccines aren't usually very effective since there are many different strains of sore mouth.

Sore mouth use to go through our entire lamb crop every year, but now it is usually only a few lambs a year. Maybe our flock is building an immunity to the virus?
 

Ram20

Exploring the pasture
Joined
Jul 14, 2013
Messages
25
Reaction score
2
Points
19
I don't want to vaccinate and start a new strain in the flock. Should I just let it run it's course.
 

purplequeenvt

Herd Master
Joined
Aug 1, 2011
Messages
2,537
Reaction score
4,905
Points
373
Location
Rineyville, KY
Yes. There is nothing you can do about it anyway. It's a virus so there aren't any medicines that will shorten its run. Just make sure not to be doing any lamb kissing and wash your hands well after handling the sheep. Sore mouth is a zoonotic disease.
 

Sheepshape

Herd Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2012
Messages
1,706
Reaction score
3,096
Points
373
I'd like to endorse and underline Puplequeen's comment above.

Orf is an endemic problem here. We vaccinate lambs annually for it with Scabivax and it does a good job in my experience. BUT....like the cold sore virus an asymptomatic sheep can carry the virus. My habit in drenching sheep was to hold the mouth with my left hand and use the drench gun with my right. This was just what I did a couple of years back. I then developed a painful little spot on my left ring finger, which swelled and filled with pu. My wedding ring started to strangle my finger and I had to have it removed. I had orf. To make things better I went on to develop Erythema Multiforme, a very itchy allergic reaction which can potentially seriously damage eyes, kidneys etc, and can be fatal. Prescribed high dose steroids. I was lucky...it only affected my skin which developed little scabs in the centre, and healed eventually without scarring.

I still use Scabivax, I still drench sheep the same way, left hand in the mouth,right on the gun, WITH GLOVES.
 

Ram20

Exploring the pasture
Joined
Jul 14, 2013
Messages
25
Reaction score
2
Points
19
Sheepshape where do you get the Scabivax and where on the where do you vaccinate on the sheep. Also do vaccinate all of your lambs.
 

Sheepshape

Herd Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2012
Messages
1,706
Reaction score
3,096
Points
373
Hi, we order Scabivax from our vet........it is an attenuated live Orf vaccine.

I vaccinate all lambs on leg side of the front 'under arm' using a special 'scratch' applicator designed for the job.

Orf is endemic here. and a lot will suffer if I don't use the vaccine.
 
Top