Hello, I noticed one of my goats had scabby mouth corners and believe he may have contracted the Orf Virus, most likely due to microcuts from eating blackberry stalks. Pretty much everything I read on it says to just let the disease run its course (between 3-10 weeks) and that afterwards they will be immune for at least a year. The only treatment seems to be a preventative vaccine annually. However I'm pretty paranoid about contracting the virus myself now because it does spread to humans, and I'm wondering if there were any antiviral formulas or topicals that you would suggest that I could maybe apply to the scabs, to hopefully speed up the process and get him over the virus sooner. Thank you.

Unfortunately I know nothing about goats or Orf virus. From a limited search I found that it is asked limiting condition and that preventing secondary infections of the lesions is important. I Also found this Treatment of the scabby lesions with herbal remedies may help. Of these, plant oils obtained from sesame, castor, juice of Calotropis procera and Euphorbia spp. have been found to be effective in the treatment of orf infection in India and African subcontinents. Whereas in France and Netherlands, Ilex aquifolium is used for curing and preventing contagious ecthyma (Nandi et al., 2011). There is an Ilex spp used in TCM that may be available and Sesame seed oil and castor oil are commonly available. As for preventing an infection in you , wear gloves when working with your goats, take some immune enhancing "antiviral” herbs (may or may not help) such as Andrographis, Honeysuckle flower, Elderberry.

Thank you! I was applying Calendula oil mixed with RSO, but I will try what you mentioned! Thanks!