Shearing Wounds
By Dr Mackie Hobson
Monday, 20th May 2019Despite 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