Skin Lesions in Sheep

There are many diseases, parasites and conditions that can cause lesions on the skin of sheep and other small ruminants. Many are largely preventable through proper and timely shearing, removal of sections of wool saturated by feces, separation of infected animals and using insecticides and vaccinations. Diligent animal husbandry, early diagnosis and preventative measures will eliminate or reduce many common sheep skin lesion conditions.

  1. External Parasites

    • External parasites live on or in sheep skin, including the soft tissue of the nose. They feed on and lay eggs in the flesh of the affected animal. Such parasites include flies, lice, mites and ticks. Though some sheep farmers use pesticides to control external parasites, organic controls are safer for both the animals and the environment. Such organic controls include keeping incoming sheep away from the flock for a few weeks initially to ensure that the animal does not have parasites, feeding them high-quality feeds, decreasing preventable stressors and using soap, plant oils, diatomaceous earth and liquid enzymes to treat infected animals.

    Sheep Scab

    • Sheep scab is a serious skin condition caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis. This condition spreads rapidly and can kill entire flocks of sheep. The initial symptoms include red sores and loss of wool clumps and progress into scab-like lesions, particularly on the shoulders of the infected animal. Dunking of sheep in insecticides used to be commonplace but not anymore due to stress to the animals, environmental concerns and expense. The incidence of sheep scab has therefore risen since the 1990s.

    Chorioptic Mange

    • Chorioptic mange is caused by the mite Chorioptes bovis. It is common during the winter months, when sheep are in confined spaces and the mite has a chance to spread from one sheep to the next. Symptoms include hair loss and skin thickening on the backside and hind limbs of the animal. Advanced stages include lesions on the scrotum.

    Facial Eczema

    • Facial eczema is common in sheep populations, particularly during the winter months. This skin condition eventually affects the liver and can seriously decrease sheep productivity and well-being, eventually leading to death if untreated. Symptoms include restlessness, swelling and redness of the ears, eyes and nose, avoidance of sunshine and frequent rubbing of the effected areas. Prevention includes zinc supplements, pasture spraying with a fungicide and diligent pasture management.