Sheep;Planned Health Program

[mikey]

sheep seem to suffer more respiratory problems than goats,may be due to the fact that they graze more in rainy weather.In general,sheep appear to be more resistant to disease than goats.A well planned health program for small ruminants raised on small coconut plantations should consist of the following procedures.
1-ewes expected to lamb within 1 week should be isolated in a pen or house,after lambing,the animals should stay in the pen or house for at least 2 weeks before rejoining the herd.
2-lambs should be dewormed at 1 month of age,repeated after 2 weeks,ewes should be dewormed at the same time as the young animals.
3-lambs should be weaned at 3 months of age and vaccinated with Pasteurella Multocida vaccine,Vaccination should be repeated every 6 months thererafter.
4-animals of all ages should be given mineral supplements.
5-a cut and carry feeding system should be used in rainy weather when animals cannot graze.
Such a program should reduce disease morbidity and mortality rates,by controlling major diseases such as parasitic diarrhea,respiratory disease,mineral deficiency and malnutrition and weakness of lambs.
By:College of Veterinary Medicine,Laguna,Philippines