[Jacob-list] Vaccinations

[Paintedrockfarm at aol.com]

There is a valid point about over vaccinating in dogs and cats.  There  is an 
increasing amount of autoimmune disease in the veterinary world and there  
are SOME links to over vaccinating.  I have not, however, heard of this in  the 
"farm" world of animals.   Fortunately, there are tests for  antibodies 
available in dogs so the possibility may be present for other  species.  Random 
testing might prove beneficial but also more cost  effective than testing an 
entire flock.  But I still feel the relative  small cost of a preventative 
vaccination is a sound investment. 
 
 I also feel each shepherds situation is different and what is  effective in 
one flock may not be in another.  Having the equine species on  your sheep 
farm is one example of a greater need to vaccinate against  tetanus.  For our 
flock, losing a sheep to something preventable like  tetanus by not vaccinating 
isn't worth the risk.  We have horses and we  elect to vaccinate against this 
disease.
 
Each flock manager must assess the risks of disease as a number one  priority 
-- enlisting veterinary advice ALWAYS proves useful in developing a  sound 
Health Program for flocks.  My opinion is that personal feelings,  life style or 
other "beliefs" about vaccines are not near as important as sound  medical 
advice.  Of course, use common sense in implementing a health  program.  Our 
needs vary according to each farm and providing  effective flock management, 
bio-security measures, etc. can only benefit the  very species  we are working so 
diligently to conserve. 
Mike  & Cheryl Terrano
_Painted  Rock Farm_ (http://members.aol.com/paintedrockfarm) 
Route 4 Box 726
Buckhannon, WV  26201-9205
(304) 457-6620 
_paintedrockfarm at aol.com_ (http://paintedrockfarm@aol.com/) 
Breeders of Registered Jacob Sheep & French Angora  Rabbits
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