Fighting off ringworm requires constant attention
Ringworm is a well-known fungus that most small ruminant producers or exhibitors fight at least once in their lifetime.
University of Arkansas Meat Scientist and Lamb Breeder, Janeal Yancey said ringworm is a problem that requires significant attention.
Yancey has been raising lambs since 2016 when her oldest daughter decided to show lambs and goats.
Sheep have a natural oil known as lanolin in their wool that aids them in fighting against fungus and any environmental irritation, Yancey said.
“We expose (sheep and goats) to that fungus when we clip them,” Yancey said, “We take away their natural ability to fight it.”
Show goats and show lambs are more susceptible to this fungus because they are sheered more often than commercial sheep and goats. They are also taken off the farm more often and surrounded by other animals at livestock shows that may have the fungus.
It is important to know what to look for when looking for ringworm.
“You’ll have a bleached spot in the wool, or a stark white spot, it usually has ringworm under it when you clip them off,” Yancey said.
Although this fungus looks uncomfortable, sheep and goats rarely seem to notice it.
“For the most part they are unbothered. It may be uncomfortable, or maybe itch but they don’t seem to notice,” Yancey said. “If it gets bad enough they can develop secondary infections. Usually the skin will get thick, scarred or on black-faces the wool will grow back black.”
There are many products on the market that are designed to help fight ringworm. Yancey has found that Kleen-M-Up works the best for her lambs and goats.
“Kleen-M-Up has a bleach or chlorine like base, I soak them down with that. Honestly, the best thing you can do is expose (the fungus) to air and sunlight, that helps kill the fungus really fast,” Yancey said.
When dealing with ringworm, a person also exposes themselves to this fungus and may get it themselves.
In the case that this happens, Yancey said that Lotrimin Antifungal works best for people and will typically clear it up if the fungus is caught fast enough.
Yancey also said if by chance ringworm infests a person’s hair, medical attention is advised.
While there is no way to guarantee sheep and goats will not get ringworm there are precautionary measures that a person can take to try to prevent it.
Yancey said that it is important to clean clipper blades in between sheep and goats.
“I like to soak or dip my blades in Fungus Fighter. This may dull the blades quicker, but it gives the blades a deep clean to help prevent a lamb or goat from getting or spreading fungus,” Yancey said.
Yancey has also found that adding probiotics or minerals into the sheep or goat’s diet helps boost their immune system and helps the animal fight off ringworm.
She also mentioned that keeping sheep and goats in blankets helps to further protect the animals while at livestock shows.
“This gets hard in the summertime because sheep and goats get hot in canvas blankets, but they really help with keeping the animals clean and protecting them from fungus,” Yancey said.
Dealing with ringworm can be a challenge for sheep and goat breeders or exhibitors alike. However, it typically does not seriously harm the animal, and there are ways to fight against it.
