Banding a scur?

Wonderland · #1 07/23/14, 06:02 PM

I know people successfully band horns, but will it work the same way with a scur? I have a wether with a scur that grows toward his head. We trim it, but the whole thing is very close to his head and if the width increases much we may no longer be able to trim. I'd like a permanent solution, but definitely do not want to risk surgery (nor would I go through that expense for a wether). I think banding would be my best option, but I'm not sure if scurs have the same blood flow and will die off in the same way that a horn does? Anyone know?

Squeaky McMurdo · #2 07/23/14, 06:15 PM

They all have to have some sort of blood supply in order to grow, so yes it will work to make it fall off. It may or may not come back but definitely not as big.

I banded a buck's scurs for a friend. They were big and looked like a warped stick. Now he still gets scurs from time to time, but they look like pebbles and fall off on their own when he rubs them on things.

Scurs are harder to get a band around though.

Wonderland · #3 07/24/14, 09:29 AM

I thought so, but I wasn't sure. They seem to have less of a sturdy attachment than horns. I will try and see what happens! You're right, though, getting the band around it will be the hard part.

Cannon_Farms · #4 07/24/14, 09:32 AM

they can be removed but its a vet job for sure and justified in my opinion with it growing into the skull, since life is unpredictable you never know if you will be his last owner and his next may not be so inclined to trim.
This is something to be done in the winter time as the sinus cavity will be open and you dont want flies getting into it.
You can try banding but I was just giving you the option I took with a doe and she was no worse for the wear.

Doug Hodges · #5 07/25/14, 04:24 PM

Ummmm. I snip them off and burn them. I need to get a picture of Moab. Hers is looking great. I didn't show her as a dry yearling because of her scurs but I bet I do as a 2 year old milker.

Squeaky McMurdo · #6 07/25/14, 04:43 PM

Rudy's just pull off when I try to snip them. They bleed but come off clean. Did you use a bigger tip Doug? I had an 8 week old burned after banding her little horns.

Doug Hodges · #7 07/25/14, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squeaky McMurdo

Rudy's just pull off when I try to snip them. They bleed but come off clean. Did you use a bigger tip Doug? I had an 8 week old burned after banding her little horns.

Nope. Just used the normal one but I turned it on it's side and got it red hot. This is right after I did it.
ImageUploadedByHomesteading Today1406325350.010191.jpg

Squeaky McMurdo · #8 07/25/14, 10:45 PM

Ok. I'll probably do that. Rudy's breeder would really like me to show him but I have to plan around his scurs because they leave noticeable holes the size of a nickle and they bleed. The bleeding isn't bad, but if I can prevent it I will