rash in front of udders - (yukky) pics now added

[olivia]

Poor old Tilly is really suffering with the flies coming back

One down side to the yard is lots of water - so lots of flies and midges.

As always in Shropshire she is very allergic to something biting which causes big round open sores where ever she's bitten - luckily this is mostly controlled by drowning her in fly spray twice a day.

However in the last few days she's developed this odd sort of rash/multiple bites thing - but in just two places. One on her mid line just in front of her udder - here is quite sore and swollen, and Tilly tries to take me out with a hid leg whenever I get too near. But she's got the same thing to a much lesser degree on a long whorl she has on her neck right at the mid line again.

The rash is like she's been bitten dozens and dozens of times - like tiny little pin pricks. They are covered in like a yellowy scab, with the odd bits of blood in there.

Obviously the fly spraying isn't helping much, but the location means a fly rug wouldn't help either. Would a thick cream - something like Sudocream - help stop the rotters???

Does anyone have any ideas about what could be causing the problem and any ideas for making Tilly more comfortable?

Cheers

Olivia

(PS Will of course get the vet if it gets worse/doesn't improve in the next week or so)

[Debbie]

I should think whatever is biting her is finding those locales the most tempting because the skin will be very thin there. Is there anyway you can slather on some cream in those spots? I'd be reaching for BagBalm, but you might not have that in the UK. I'd think any thick gooey stuffs should do.

You might be able to get the cream in front of Tilly's udders by flattening yourself along her side (well out of range of those hinds) and then sliding your hand down and under. Not ideal, and she may yet bash the back of your hand, but it would keep most of your body safe.

Nasty boogers

[nars]

I've found a combination of betnovate and a cream from the vets that has silver in it (will think of the exact name and PM you) works well to heal.

Might be worth asking the vet for a preventative solution. How about a boett type rug that covers virtually every part of her if she is suseptable?

[nars]

Olivia,
the cream is flamazine.

[olivia]

Thanks Jacqui and Debbie.

I will explore the rug route if it doesn't improve, but it's something I'm trying to avoid - mainly because Tilly would wreck one in about 3mins flat on the trees she has in her field but also because I don't think a rug (even a boett type one) would cover around her udders which is where the main problem is.

Will get hold some of these creams and see if they help - YM is very good at holding a front leg so I can get to the sore bits - I've been washing them off to stop infection so we've got it down to a fine art

[harveydales]

I had that problem with Quest - just on his midline infront of his sheath - midges must like the soft thin skin there. He would get very sore, scabby and itchy but he used to like me handling the area. In fact he would lift a hind leg up and look round to his belly, asking me to rub it.

i tried all sorts of lotions and potions. Some worked for a while. I think the one jacqui mentions is good. In the end I had the best results with Avon's Skin so Soft, the woodland version. Worth a go......

[olivia]

I've decided to get the vet out next week as I got to the yard tonight to find this on her nose:




and when I took a pic of her udder (meant I could get a good look without getting my head kicked!) I saw this:


She's obviously feeling quite miserable and in front of her udders is feeling very hot and sore.

Going to leave for work very early tomorrow so I can stop at as many tack shops as I can find in search of something to keep us going until vet arrives...

[Debbie]

OMG Definitely one to wait for the vet's call. Poor Tilly!! Small wonder she's feeling so horrid, gosh that's gotta be tender.

I wonder what the vet will make of it?

[harleydales]

Can you see if there are any ticks Olivia? They can leave a raised hot area with some scabbing.

That certainly does look uncomfortable, poor Tilly.

Harley gets very bitten and crusty on and around his sheath, I use Camrosa and a rather odd pink ointment that feels revolting but it really does soften and soothe the skin. I'll look tomorrow and see what it is called.


Edited - GOT IT - Carr Day and Martin Protection Plus - antibacterial with citronella.

[leannwithconnie]

I was thinking Ringworm when I saw the sore on the nose but it looks completley different on the udder...Hope the Vet can get to the bottom of it...very odd.

[zeldalithgow]

Oh poor Tilly, that does look sore, hope you can get it sorted quickly

[nars]

Any news on Tilly?

[olivia]

Well she's now being drowned in DEET twice a day and she's got no more of the big sores. And in front of her udder was looking much better too - not really healed by Sunday (when I last saw her) but no fresh wounds.

So fingers crossed that's solved the issue.

Might need to take a second mortgage to fund vast quantities of DEET all summer, but hey ho.

I'm also tentatively looking into biological control - but I don't think they're going to help as we're so close to water and forests teeming with deer.

Thanks for asking

Olivia

[nars]

I used DEET years ago and it is good stuff. Glad to hear that Tilly is getting better.

[Debbie]

Olivia, is it mosquitoes that are causing the troubles?? If so, look into Mosquito dunks. I tried them out last fall and they work brilliantly!!! In fact, I couldn't believe the dent they made in our mosquito population.

They are a species specific bacteria that infest and kill the mosquito and black fly larvae. Meaning no larvae= no adults The bacteria don't harm anything else and they last up to 30 days according to the box, but I found they lasted much longer. Although with the deluges we've had the past 6 days, I'll be needing to redose the yard again. Its totally worth it.