Assessing Lambs after Scabine Vaccination

When lambs are scratched with Scabine there is always a range of reactions as not every scratch will be perfect, and not every lamb will react in the same way. This year we are seeing more variation than usual. The pictures below were taken 9 days after vaccination. If lambs are checked more than 2-3 weeks after vaccination the scratches are much harder to interpret.

A good take is the big swollen scab you usually see in most of your lambs.

Good Take 

Good Take with Bacterial infection

A poor take can happen for many reasons. Any lamb that has been scratched will have a line visible for a few days, but if there is no redness or swelling then it is likely that the vaccine has not worked as well as it should have.

Poor Take

Poor take with scab brushed away

No take 9 days after vaccination.

A good take may also look like this after it has healed.