|
United Suffolk Sheep Association |
|
|
June/July 2005 Question Question: How do you insure your sheep's health as you travel from show to show? Answer: Paul Eness D.V.M. In my years as Veterinarian for county fairs and for the Iowa state Fair I have seen a number of health problems, some of which were man-made. Those include prolapses associated with extreme short docking, and digestive problems associated with severe limitation of dietary fiber. I am going to limit my comments to contagious ecthyma (soremouth) and ringworm or club lamb fungus. These conditions, though not life threatening, do shorten the show careers of many animals. Contagious ecthyma or soremouth can infect animals of any age. In most animals the disease will run its course in 2-3 weeks. Following recovery most animals are immune for several years. Lesions are most often seen on the lips or other areas of the face and sheep will be disqualified from showing as long as there is evidence of infection. Animals that are to be shown should be vaccinated at least 4 weeks prior to the first show. A few animals may develop lesions even when vaccinated. This occurs because some strains of the virus may not be included in the vaccine, or because of improper vaccination procedure. It is common for susceptible animals to become infected and develop lesions following exposure at early shows. While lesions are active these animals will be disqualified and sent home from shows until spontaneous recovery occurs after 2-4 weeks. Club lamb fungus or ringworm can be prevented only by avoiding contact with infected animals or contaminated stalls or equipment. Shorn animals are especially susceptible because lanolin in the skin and wool helps serve as a natural barrier to infection. This protection is greatly reduced by the close shearing and frequent washing of show animals. Infective spores live in the environment for months or years. Because of this it may be advisable to wash or spray pens with and effective fungicide solution before stalling of animals. Common bleach, diluted 1:3 can be used for this. There should be no sharing of equipment, halters or blankets with other exhibitors. These articles are often contaminated with ringworm spores. Treatment with dilute (1:3) bleach, Thibendazole preparations or other fungicide may reduce the course of an infection from 3-16 weeks down to 3-4 weeks. Some shows allow participation if obvious regrowth of wool is evident in the lesion. An important consideration is the care and housing of animals on return home to the “real world” following shows. Animals should be kept in quarters isolated from other animals. It is advisable to maintain this separation for 4 weeks. This permits closer observation, timely treatment when necessary and facilitates fly protection, which is important in slick sheared animals.
Annuschat Suffolks There are several details that we follow to ensure the sheep’s health and minimize problems and make sure that a buyer didn’t buy our sheep and get a big problem. First of all, make sure all of the sheep’s vaccinations are current and this needs to be done at least 2 months before you ever think about going to a show. We like to use a CDT vaccine, casebac and Bar Somnus 2P for Pasturella and Haemophilus Somnus. This tetanus vaccination is pretty important since these scrapie tags are going in before the shows and the tetanus won’t show up until the animal is sold and in the buyer’s hands. When feeding, the same person needs to feed every time. Feed the same sheep in the same group every time and observe how they eat. Take enough feed and hay and don’t be changing their routine around. We try to take enough feed along to send home with the buyers of our sheep. We have had good luck keeping Rumensin in the feed and Fasttrack Prebiotic. These will keep your digestive upsets down to little or none. Always keep fresh water in front of your sheep. Flies usually aren’t a problem if you keep a fan running. If you have a problem with flies, there are several fly repellent sprays and fly baits around that should work. Don’t ever use any of the dairy aerosol barn sprays around the sheep or any animal. It will damage their eyes, lungs and nasal passages. These are a few ideas that we have to make it through the show and sale season. Dennis Henderson Our Registered Suffolk sheep herd began as a 4-H project over 20 years ago. We have traveled many miles not only to 4-H shows, but also to several UJSSA Junior shows. One of the things we have learned to do during show season is to have aureomycin crumbles added to the feed. We feel that this gives them a defense against the stress of traveling. One of the main rules that we try to uphold is to begin with “healthy” sheep --- don’t take animals that are currently sick or not feeling well. They will not improve while traveling and could infect other animals. Most of our lengthy travels are during the heat of the summer, so we drive straight through, and if possible, during the night for cooler temperatures. Once we arrive we feed hay to settle their stomachs. We carry antibiotics with us so at the first signs of illness we can begin treating. Timely worming is very important and keeping the nutritional plan consistent also are key to maintaining your sheep’s health throughout the show/sale season.
Sarah M. Smith Fairs, shows, and sales are not only stressful for exhibitors, but can be extremely stressful on the animals. Considering the fact that most animals at these shows and sales have never been off the farm or hauled extensively prior to these events, it always amazes me how well they handle all the adversity--It would be nice if all people handled stress so positively. Stress factors compromise the animal’s immune systems, therefore decreasing the animal’s ability to defend off diseases. It is important for both exhibitors and buyers of sale animals to manage potential stress factors by: 1) Anticipating potential stress factors, 2) Minimizing these stress factors or their potential impact, 3) Recognize when these stress factors have impacted an animal, and 4) React to stress factors by treating animals and/or changing management of the stress factor. Some of the stress factors that can compromise an animal’s health and the ability to maintain health are: travel, confinement, temperature/humidity changes, nutritional changes (both ration and water supply), contact with animals and other pathogen challenges, activity requirements (fitting and showing), and excessively handling by outside individuals. Probably the number one factor in ensuring an animal’s health is to prepare the animal by maintaining a healthy animal from both a disease and nutritional perspective. Healthy animals have a better chance of fending off these stress factors and related diseases than unhealthy animals. Do not exhibit, sell, or buy any visibly unhealthy or unthrifty animals. Also, unhealthy animals do not reflect well on a shepherd/manager or the operation. In ruminant animals, such as sheep, maintaining digestive health is critical to maintaining overall animal health. Maintaining digestive health in show sheep, goats, or cattle is like treating a horse that has the potential to colic. At least one week prior to the show, 1/3 of the feed by weight is replaced with whole oats and is fed in the feed pans and buckets that will be used at the show when possible. The transition between different water sources can prove challenging, especially transitions to and from well and treated city water. Utilizing an electrolyte or small amount of molasses in the water a week prior to the event and during the event has proved effective in masking the odor and taste of outside water and maintaining fresh water intake. Reducing the amount of feed about eight to twelve hours prior to traveling can also help minimize digestive upset and provide for a cleaner traveling environment. Arriving at the show and penning is also stressful, so don’t feed the animals grain on arrival, which will allow the animal to calm down and acclimate to its new surroundings. However, nervous animals off the trailer will sometimes calm down by providing a small portion of hay. Observe show and purchased animals more closely for signs of stress or disease and change management accordingly and seek appropriate treatment. In traveling animals, always try to reduce stress by minimizing the amount of time an animal will be in a trailer; separating animals by appropriate age, size, and sex; and allow enough room for the animal to be comfortable. The amount of room needed and feeding requirements will change as the distance traveled changes. Organizing a small first aid kit in reference to the length of your trip and the type of animals traveling has also proved beneficial. However, the first aid kit always contains at least an approved antibiotic (injectable and topical), probiotics, baking soda (for digestive upset) and appropriate syringes and needles. Upon returning home, animals should be isolated, observed, and allowed to rest for two weeks away from the rest of the herd.
|