[Jacob-list] scratchy head

[MView16 at aol.com]

I have struggled with this horn related skin problem with a few of my animals 
and tried all sorts of remedies and had all sorts of tests run.  I even made 
little hats for the most stricken of my animals...I used a pony mesh face 
mask and cuts holes for the horns; I then taped the edges of the holes to the 
horns!  This actually worked well, but Jacobs are quite determined to remove 
their helpful, cute hats and often succeed.

I used peroxide to clean the stricken area (a drying agent), a systemic and 
local fly treatment, antibiotic cream, and strong hydrocotisone cream (to 
prevent itching).  It is the scratching that takes a simple rash to the level 
of oozing, swollen mess.  The disease seems to have definite hereditary 
components...it runs in familes.  My Cornell vet thinks it is caused by an 
allergic reaction to horn fly activity.  All cultures have shown nothing of 
note.  I buy the genetic allergy theory, especially since only a few related 
animals get the disease, and the cortisone is so effective.  It is definitely 
a disease that ceases when the colder days of fall set in.  My farm sits 
above a huge pond and is surronded by forests...horn fly paradise.  I did 
notice that there was some improvement as to the severity of the disease as 
animals aged.

Because the disease is very time intensive and also icky, I often gave 
serious thought to culling afflicted animals.  Then Fall would come, and I 
relaxed when swelling receeded and hair grew back.  I did a get a beginning 
case of fly strike in an afflicted ram.  Screw worm spray cleared that up, 
but I was ever more vigilant.

I'm glad this problem is being discussed...it used to really plague me that 
the vets didn't have a clue.  By the way, Shetlands (male) NEVER got the 
disease.

Jeanne Massey
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