alpine doe with scabs on shoulders,face

[trex]

Hi. I have an Alpine with pea sized scabs all over on her shoulders and face. The vet said she probably just has allergies to something, but I don't think that's it. I'm wondering if it's burrowing mites or something? No visible parasites anywhere on her, but she had lice 2 months ago, which I treated with Permethrin. The scabs are really loose and come off easily. When pulled off, they have a "plug" that comes out and leaves a little hole in the skin. Anybody know what this is? Thanks!

[SkeeterBlue]

Sounds like you might have an orf infection.

[Minelson]

I'm thinking a possible staph infection. So was the vet totally useless? No treatment?

[Alice In TX/MO]

I had a Nubian that broke out like that after I moved her to a forest pen. We used prednisone, orally.

[trex]

Ok, if it's orf then I would think it odd that she doesn't have any sores at all on her mouth. Just cheeks and shoulders. If it's staph then wouldn't there be sores on her udder? And they're not pimply in nature...the scabs are hard and dry, not oozy at all. I just have to scrape a little and they come right off, pulling up the little plug thing and leaving a small hole behind along with a good amount of raw skin.
Darn vet...he just said it's likely allergies, and "keep an eye on it."
Alice, what do you think your Nubian had? What is prednisone used to treat? I can't find much about it...

[BabyGoats]

Scabs on face: I'll bet a hundred dollars it IS allergies. "Cure" is steroids. Your vet knows what they're talking about (that's why they are vets...) Seen it been there, but I still hope I am right- just going by your description. They will get it yearly, it's something in the air from a local plant. Don't ask I don't know WHAT plant but one of our horses gets it every year, same time. It goes away when the mystery weed is no longer passing it's pollen or seeds around.

[chma4]

prednisone treats allergies

[trex]

Ok. Well that is a relief, at least, if it is only allergies This vet specializes in horses and always seems like goats are a nuisance so I'm hesitant to completely trust his diagnosis, since he had no specifics or recommended treatment...

[Hollowdweller]

Pictures would help.