Shearing Wounds
By Dr Mackie Hobson BSc(Agric),BVSc

1. Procedures and Protocols

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