Reducing fleece moisture to control cutaneous myiasis in sheep
Hall, C.A.
Veterinary Record 101(24): 486-487
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 605477 Document Number: 117531
A mixture of fatty acids and two metallic oxides applied to the fleece (staple length 5 cm) of sheep with a compressed air atomizer reduced the moisture content by 30%. This effect was maintained for 10 weeks and disappeared at 12 weeks. Sheared wool from treated sheep gained less weight than wool from untreated sheep when exposed to humidity. The fleece of treated sheep exposed daily to artificial rain did not attain its maximum moisture content until the eighth day, against the third day in untreated sheep; in this trial the treated sheep had 30% fewer lesions of fleece rot. In six of seven field trials the rate of flystrike was reduced in treated sheep (wool length 8-10 cm).