I have 2 adult nubian wethers with areas of crusting just inside and on the outer rims of the nostrils. It is not easy to peel off and when I do there is a raw patch left with slight bleeding. Then the crust immediately reforms within a day. Both goats are eating well and have no other signs of illness. I am wondering about botfly since I read that they enter sheep through the nostrils. My dog recently had a botfly removed from his side. I live south of Denver, CO. This summer we have had cool wet weather.
DearCustomer
It's quite possible that nasal bot fly may be the cause of the problem.
Ivomec (ivermectin) sheep drench .08 percent can be used to control nasal bot flies. The drench form of ivermectin is to be given orally and is not the same as the injectable form.
Dr. Todd
Do you think it is bot fly with no other symptoms such as lowering head, rubbing nose on the ground, etc.? I also was reading up on soremouth to rule out that possibility. However, it seems that soremouth generally affects the lips more than the nasal passages. Also the scabs usually fall off after 1-4 weeks. Both my goats have had the crusts for more than four weeks with no improvement. One other comment: I have used the injectable form of Ivomec (given orally) to worm my goats and to treat skin mites. I give them 1.0cc per 100 pounds of body weight. So far there have been no ill effects. This form of administration was recommended by a goat website. What is your opinion about oral administration of the injectable form of Ivomec? I have never seen the drench form sold at the feed stores. This is not big goat/sheep country. Unfortunately I have yet to find a vet in my area who knows much about goats.
You are correct about the lack of other symptoms. I would also include sneezing or snorting as typical symptoms which are not present in this case. Even though the other symptoms are absent, bot flies could be causing the symptom you're seeing. Therefore, the recommendation to treat.
I agree with you regarding soremouth. The cases I have seen have all involved the lips.
Before I give you any recommendations regarding oral use of injectable ivermectin, I need to contact the manufacturer. It's too late in the week to make contact, so allow me a little time and I will contact you on Monday.
Thank you for investigating the use of injectable ivermectin as an oral medication. If the manufacturer has concerns can I order the Ivomec drench online if I can't find it locally? Thanks again for your help.
I called Merial today.
I was told the .08 percent drench is available.
I am waiting for a call from technical services to address the injectable/oral question.
I will email you when I have the information.
The technical services veterinarian told me that the oral product does a better job of killing the nasal bot larva. The oral suspension is extremely effective against nasal bots. This is why it is recommended on the label to treat orally.
The injectable product will work, but not as well. Using the injectable product to kill sheep bot flies is not an on-label use.
Using the injectable product orally will probably not work because it is not well absorbed from the gut.
Prevention of reinfection can be a problem. You may eliminate the bot fly larva today and have a reinfection a few weeks later. If this becomes a recurrent problem, you may have to treat every month during the fly season.
BotXXXXX XXXXXne: Find out what the cost of the oral suspension is. I think the smllest size is approximately 900 mL. Unless you have a large flock, this may be more than you can
use.
If the oral suspension isn't practical, injectable ivermectin is the next best thing.
I hope this is helpful.
Experience: 35 years of experience