[Jacob-list] OPP - Optional Pain Process

[Higgins]

Heel low:

Thought I would add some more points I have typed out in response to
some private OPP discussions:

The reason I said this incident of OPP "hit my ego" is because as a
keeper of animals, my main duty is to keep my animals from harm.  A task
I shall never accomplish fully, but my ego is such that if I think I
can, I must!   I know none of us can SAVE the world...but some of us
sure have the temperaments to try and do good while we are here...not
that an OPP testing regime means I am any better than anyone else when
it comes to shepherding...far from it!

In response to questions about the accuracy of the AGID and ELISA tests
and the fact that some believe sheep are only testable over the age of
two years, I responded:

Journal of the Jacob Sheep Conservancy - Spring 2003:

"OPP Research at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station:  What we
have learned in the last decade - by Andres de la Concah-Bermejillo DVM,
PhD, Texas A&M University

"The specificity of more than 94% and a sensitiv-ity of 86%, the results
of an ELISA test performed by a private veterinary diagnositc laboratory
were unreliable.  The specificity and sensitivity of the AGID test were
100% and 91.5%, repectively.  These results suggest that the AGID test
may be a good screening test to identify OPP infected flocks (Juste et
al., 1995)."

They go on to suggest repeated AGID testing because "seroconversion may
be as long as 12 weeks or more, repeated testing of sheep is
recommended."

<snip>
"OPP replication starts soon after infection:
"Previously, it was believed that after initial infection, OPP virus
would hide in tissues of infected sheep (remain latent), and that
several years later for unknown reasons, the virus would start
multiplying; only then inducing clinical disease.  What we found was
that OPP virus replicated to high titers soon after infection.  In most
sheep, the maximum virus titer in blood was reached between 4 and 6
weeks.  Then, a strong immune response by the infected animal partially
controlled virus replication causing a decline in virus titer by 8 weeks
after infection.  From then on, there is a constant battle between the
sheep's immune system and OPP virus.  A small amount of remaining virus
in the infected sheep mutates; thus, escaping the initial immune
response and producing a new spike in blood virus titer.  This is
followed by a secondary immune response against the new mutated virus.
Eventually, the constant fight between new virus mutants and the immune
system leads to tissue damage and the development of clinical disease."

http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/progressreports/R.pdf

New studies show that right at the initial time of infection, the
disease seems to be detectable...the immune system spikes and if you
could know exactly when infection occurred, you could test with a high
degree of accuracy.  The trouble with OPP, is that after infection, it
sorta dives into the body and the immune system battles it out in secret
with wave after wave of fighting...finally rearing up very much
detectable when the animal ultimately loses the battle and goes
clinical.  OPP is very much like AIDS and has been studied in
conjunction with the human condition, so much is being learned because
of its similarities.

You can certainly detect OPP via blood testing (as shown above) and
postmortems earlier than 2 years of age.  There is a copy of a study in
review by Robert Leder, DVM in 1994, "Rapid adult-to-adult Viral
Transmission & Reduced Lamb Gains Attributed to Maedi-Visna" Using the
ELISA test on lambs at weaning, and ewes at 6-week intervals: "Lesions
developed soon after infection were detectable.  In fact some of the
newly infected ewes had severe udder lesions by the end of the
experiment."  Outwards clinical detection is more likely at 2+ years,
but this test proved that if one sacrificed the ewes, the udders did
exhibit hard bag.  Would this be enough for some to say the ewe had
indeed contracted OPP...that is their decision.

Anyone really interested in answers in regards to OPP should contact the
OPP Concerned Sheep Breeders Society for more information and
updates...I do not have the temperament or expertise here to argue for
the cause of why one should test their Jacobs for OPP (personally why
should I care what YOU do for Jacobs...really none of my business and
who says I am right anyway??).  This is the route I am taking and I have
the push of my Jacob Roo's demise spurring me on.  Maybe a person has to
have a clinical happen before they decide that OPP testing is
warranted.  I  cannot make ethical & moral decisions for others...this
is what works for me and allows me to sleep at night.

When it was stated that one should wait till the tests are more
accurate, I responded:

Part of the "VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES FOR OPP TESTING" states:  "- Beginning
a the age of 6 months, all animals believed to be OPP negative are
blood-tested at regular intervals of no more than 12 months (6 month
intervals preferred)"

As far as I am concerned, the tests are accurate enough to provide me
with tools that are useable and will guide me towards OPP negative flock
status.  To shrug my shoulders and say the tests are not accurate so I
won't test, I personally cannot accept that and stand by and do
nothing...my personal circumstances warrant the path I am
choosing...full steam ahead...toot toot!  VBG

When the discussion turned to actual clinical signs in the flock, an
assessment of the flock was deemed to be accurate to conclude that OPP
on this farm was not a problem.  Are there pneumonia cases which don't
respond to antibiotics, and keep coming back. / Is there unexplained
weight loss in a sheep who is still eating like a pig.  / Are you losing
lambs. /

I agree with the above conclusions...if you are not suffering OPP
clincal woes...why would you undertake the OPP erradication process?  It
is no easy undertaking!  I have already had lengthy discussions with
others in regards to the economics and genetic limitations that
biosecurity throws at cha.  I have also been reassured that if I so
choose to attain better health status in my flock...there are those who
will beat a path to my doorstep and it does warrant the extra efforts.
Lookit all the flock health programs coming out of the woodwork...it is
only a matter of time before this becomes mandatory for
producers...mandatory ear tags, health status societies, food
inspections all the way back to the farm of origin...it's a comin', jump
on the band wagon now, or whoosh, under the wheel!  ;-)

It then was brought up that a farm with a history of no symptoms or
unexplained deaths would be more viable than a farm where they had
certified OPP negative status and lamb losses and unexplained deaths.

I responded, This then boils down to trust.  Purchase animals from
someone you have a relationship of trust with and a historical exchange
of believable information.  No stupid tests warrant trust...these days
it is plainly simple to forge, bribe or buy whatever you fancy.  I would
purchase OPP free stock from someone I had established a relationship
with.  After I have OPP negative status, if the farms I want future
Jacobs from are not open to discussions about how sheep die or are sick
on their farm, they do not warrant interest in acquisition of their
genetics.  I do not have to be as careful right now...I am just about to
begin biosecurity...open the gates and let them on thru...but once I
begin the process of disease elimination...watch those same gates clang
shut!

I have had one test positive...it is now my duty to follow up and test
the other members.  I've had it, it's been proven...now to assess the
damage and see what can be done.  This could all have just been a big
huge one time incident...now wouldn't that be nice!  I just wanted sheep
to eat grass, play herding with and admire them for being sheep.  I hate
having to bleed them for testing, send it all off, wait in
anticipation... If we do have it, the options are there to make sure no
more will succumb to this, the task is not light, but I am up for it.
The breed will benefit for sure.

The discussion then turned to the following statement:  "Luckily, the
world is large enough to accommodate both views, and people are free to
buy sheep from certified flocks only, should they wish to do so, however
much it narrows their field of possibilities."

To which I have replied:  Surprisingly, not...the OPP 2003 directory
lists an amazing number of Jacob breeders who are members of this
society...EIGHTEEN!   With roughly 250 members (I counted down one row
of society members and times by the number of columns...not accurate,
but fast!), that's 7% of the membership...GOOD SHOW JACOBERS!!  I have
company and surely in those eighteen members, I will find someone
willing to sell me a ram or ewe when I get up to snuff in my own
flock...eighteen...yowsers!  I am so proud of yah....  :-)

The controversy surrounding OPP is there, the discussions are
infamous...the deal is that some of us are attacking this issue straight
head on with any and all the tools/arms we can muster...whether or not
your particular situation warrants this over the top approach, that is
for the Jacober to decide.  If OPP has not knocked at your door, why
would you outfit with the premises with multiple deadbolts, mace, and an
attack dog?  What should be available though, is both sides of the
discussions with scientific data to back up the points...so those not so
aware may make sound judgements for themselves.  No surprises, no "I
didn't know about that!"

Seriously, how can a producer with say, a flock of 50+ Jacobs even begin
to warrant the initial testing costs (my one single OPP test with about
$20 worth of meds cost the astronomical fee of $200!  Thus why I am
learning to draw my own blood on my flock and sending off my tests to
the labs myself at a testing cost $4.80 USD for OPP/Johnnes/CAE per
animal--wheew that's more like it!!).  I have a mere dozen Jacobs to
begin my walk about with and the tenacity to do my own testing and go
from there.  I'd sure be gulping at the concept of taking a flock of 100
Jacobs and doing the testing...my goodness!

If OPP is NOT making a negative presence in your Jacobs...by all means,
keep doing what you are doing...but for those of us who have felt the
icy death grip, off we go on our cruisade...surely neither side has to
worry the other is unwarranted in their point of view.  Hats off to both
sides as obviously we are aware of OPP and have made our own decisions
based on our own ideals.

I kinda like that I now have a support group out there...OPPers who do
not think I am a complete and udder nutball...been there, done that, got
the AGIDs to prove it.  ;-)

Doggone misery loves company,

Tara off again to go huggabug my sheeps...
--
     ____(\                Tara Lee Higgins                  /)____
    (_____~>        Rat Ranch - An ACD is for LIFE          <~_____)
   ( ``  ``          ranchrat at telusplanet.net                ``  `` )
    \                      Alberta Canada                          /
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