helbe
Well-Known Member
some of our sheep have orf and I need to know can horses catch it if they are turned out with them?
ORF FROM SHEEP?
- Thread starter helbe
- Start date
Alec Swan
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The best thing for lambs with ORF, in fact the only thing, are ORF Tubs. One problem, do check that the tubs wont harm the horses. Humans can contract ORF from sheep, so presumably, I'd think that horses can. Be careful, it's nasty and it hurts.
Ask your vet, I'd be interested to hear what they say.
Alec.
Ask your vet, I'd be interested to hear what they say.
Alec.
hayinamanger
Well-Known Member
I'm fairly certain that horses cannot contract orf, but do check with your vet.
Sparkly Snowdrop
Well-Known Member
I asked a friends Dad who is a livestock Vet and he said that he didn't believe horses could catch it but wasn't 100% certain.
Humans can certainly get it as my OH has had it and had to tell the GP what it was so that he could look it up in his book! I was amazed as we live in a very agricultural area.
But I would like a definative answer as to whether horses can or can't get it.
We treat our sheep with garlic capsules which sorts it in a few days. Alec I've not heard of those tubs I will have to have a look for them.
Humans can certainly get it as my OH has had it and had to tell the GP what it was so that he could look it up in his book! I was amazed as we live in a very agricultural area.
But I would like a definative answer as to whether horses can or can't get it.
We treat our sheep with garlic capsules which sorts it in a few days. Alec I've not heard of those tubs I will have to have a look for them.
cptrayes
Well-Known Member
My friend grazed horses with her sheep and her husband got orf but the horses were fine. He said it hurt like hell :O
Passtheshampoo
Well-Known Member
My small flock contracted Orf a couple of years ago and were in with the horses at the times. I separated and the horses were fine.
lachlanandmarcus
Well-Known Member
so theres 2 qs then
- 1) can horses catch orf, so far answer seems to be no, but noone 100% sure
2) question remains, do the 'orf tubs' for sheep/lambs present any risk to horses, ie do any of the ingredients in them have a toxicity for horses?
- 1) can horses catch orf, so far answer seems to be no, but noone 100% sure
2) question remains, do the 'orf tubs' for sheep/lambs present any risk to horses, ie do any of the ingredients in them have a toxicity for horses?
Alec Swan
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Were the positions reversed, if Mineral tubs for horses contain copper, they could and would kill sheep. It's illegal to feed copper to sheep, directly.
I'm tempted to think that sheep tubs for ORF would probably be harmless, though the worry might be that they'd cost a fortune, as most sheep tubs contain molasses, and horses would just roar through it!!
Regarding horses and ORF, I'll get a definitive answer from my vet tomorrow! My own guess is that it could migrate, as humans can catch it from sheep, so why not horses?
Alec.
alsiola
Well-Known Member
Orf in horses has never been reported so I think you can feel safe in that regard. Primarily a disease of sheep and goats, but humans and dogs can become infected.