Shearing Wounds
By Dr Mackie Hobson

Despite trained accredited shearers being used shearing injuries may still occasionally occur. These injuries must be dealt with appropriately.

Producers must:

• Have an action plan if an injury were to occur
• Keep a medical kit available for such occurrences.
• Record details of serious injuries+

Serious injuries 

Serious injuries include wounds that are greater than 10cm, bleed excessively, result in removal of a teat, or cause damage to the vulva or prepuce.

Shearing must be stopped immediately and the wound treated.

• Restrain the goat and prevent the wound from becoming contaminated while open.

• Pain relief must be administered
• The wound must be cleaned with a topical disinfectant or sterile water.

• The wound can be closed by means of ‘super glue’ or sutured by a trained person or veterinarian.
• The wound must be sprayed with a fly repellent/topical disinfectant.

• A record must be kept of any serious injuries
• Date and time of injury
• Extent of injury
• The shearer involved.

Small cuts include superficial cuts under 10cm.

• These wounds can be left to heal by second intension after spraying the wound with a topical disinfectant and fly repellent.

or

• Skin glue ‘Super glue’ can be used to oppose the skin after the wound is cleaned by disinfectant or sterile water.

• If sutures are required then pain relief must be provided and sutured by a trained person.
• Disinfectant topical spray and fly repellent should be applied after if the wound is glued or sutured

Jackal/Caracal bite wounds

These bite wounds must not be sutured or glued closed (unless instructed by a vet)

• Clean and flush daily with diluted disinfect and apply fly repellents to surrounding areas.
• Speak to your vet about the use of antibiotics and pain relief