[Jacob-list] Questions from a new Jacob sheep person....

[Susan J Martin]

The scrapie program is worthwhile.......although I must admit that I have
not jumped on board as of yet, but intend to.  It appears that recent
problems such as mad cow disease are going force the government to track
animals and I suspect that in time all sheep growers will be forced to
participate in a scrapie program.  Some livestock auctions will refuse
animals without a scrapie tag.  For the very best information, check
on-line for USDA requirements in this program.

Some of the things I always keep on hand in the medicine cabinet are:  an
aerosol can of Blue Kote, which is an antiseptic for wounds that also
protects the wound.  Blood stop powder - this is used on an injury to
help speed the clotting process.  Bloat treatment or bloat drench, and
there are various brand names - this is used if your animal develops a
bloating problem, perhaps from over eating.  Iodine (7% animal husbandry
variety) - used on newborn navels.  Syringes of antibiotic that are used
for cows with mastitis to inject the teat - I use it as an antibiotic for
wounds and the syringe makes application easy.  Obstetrical gloves in
case you need to do any kind of internal exam of a ewe.....you would also
need to use a Betadine wash to clean the glove/hand/arm so you don't
introduce bacteria......and a bottle of lubricant is helpful for this
process also.  I keep alcohol in the cupboard for wiping off things to
disinfect them, such as ear tags before putting them in the ear.   An
injectable antibiotic is good to have on hand..........I have Liquamycin,
but there are others and the antibiotic of choice depends on the
illness/condition.   Terramycin ophthalmic ointment is great stuff for
pink eye/kerato-conjunctivitis conditions of the eyes.  I keep on hand
several pritchard teats which can be used with a soda bottle in case I
will have a lamb who needs to be bottle fed..........and I keep either
sheep or goat colostrum in the freezer for this situation also.  Good old
fashioned Pepto Bismol works wonders on lambs with diarrhea.  I also keep
a box of surgical gloves handy..........and I always wear them when I am
treating a wound to protect myself from disease & bacteria.  A turkey
baster can be used to administer meds or a drench.........or a large
syringe w/o the needle also works well too......and I have even used an
eye dropper for a small lamb who wasn't sucking well the first day of
life......but who eventually got the hang of how to do it.    All of the
above things I have purchased at our local ACE hardware store ~ however,
we are in the heart of dairy country so they do carry a full range of
animal care supplies.  If you don't have a source nearby, mail order
would be your next best idea.  KV Vet Supply @ www.kvvet.com is one
option.....another is Premier @ www.premier1supplies.com and another is
Mid-States Livestock Supplies @ www.midstateswoolgrowers.com.  

Laura Lawson's books on sheep care are excellent - Lamb Problems and 
Managing Your Ewe and another of her publications I absolutely love and
have used a lot is a little book called "Substitutes, Tips & Tidbits"
which basically includes a lot of home remedies that can be used with
sheep.....for example, she includes in there substitute bloat
preparations that can be made out of Mylanta and cooking oil in the event
that your sheep bloats after your farm store is closed......and all kinds
of other great suggestions.  To order her books write to LDF
Publications, 11114 Lawson Lane, Culpeper, VA  22701 or call toll free
1-800-258-6992.

Hope this helps......I'm sure there are things for the medicine cabinet I
forgot and I'm sure other breeders will also have helpful suggestions.

Sue Martin
Stonecroft Manor
Lititz, PA
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