Dis-budding question

bergere · #1 02/22/12, 05:22 AM

Have a question for all of you.

I ended up with two nine month old Nigerian Dwarf wethers.
They were supposed to be disbudded, and it looks like someone may of tried but their horns are starting to grow.

Is there anything I can do to stop said growth? They are maybe a 1/4" above their head now.

farmmom · #2 02/22/12, 06:57 AM

Sometimes they will break off when they're butting heads. If they do, go ahead and burn them good with the disbudding iron. Some people will band them or saw them off. Just watch them so they don't curl around and start growing back in. I've seen this happen as well.

bergere · #3 02/22/12, 07:02 AM

I would prefer them not to have horns, as they are in with the horse's.

The only sheep/goat Vet in the area and new to me, said nothing could be done.

But I don't remember that being the case in the past. I think the buds are small enough a disbudding iron should work?

LoneStrChic23 · #4 02/22/12, 08:00 AM

If a disbudding iron will fit over it, you can redo it. I'd burn, cut it level with the skull (it will be soft) & burn again. You could do a figure 8 burn, & roll the iron over the centers.... Whatever you do, I've had better luck using nippers to cut the protruding horn bud flat after the 1st burn.....Not fun redoing older animals, and I would definately give banamine & ice pack inbetween burns while giving the iron a minute to reach full heat before each burn...

Another option is let them grow as it sounds like actual horns, not just lil scurs, and when big enough, band them. When the horns fall off, roll the disbudding iron over the area to cauterize it.

Not sure where you are at, but I know Texas A&M surgically dehorns for a fair price, and they stitch everything up afterwards, and bandage instead of leaving a gaping hole in the head..... Perhaps looking for a near by vet school for this is an option too..

Good luck!

bergere · #5 02/22/12, 08:14 AM

Good ideas, just what I needed, Thanks!

Now living in VA.