Sheep and Lamb Vaccination and Care Notes

Sore Mouth Vaccine

  • Unique vaccine administered semi-topically.
  • Requires scraping the skin to create small abrasions before application.
  • Causes blisters on the mouths of lambs and can transfer to ewes' teats, reducing milk intake.
  • Vaccination of the flock started last year due to previous outbreaks.
  • Only administered to lambs, not ewes.
  • Humans can contract it, so caution is necessary when handling.

Other Medications

  • Open ewes receive UltraVac eight and a respiratory vaccine.
  • Respiratory vaccine is administered again.
  • FAMACHA scoring is performed to check the eye membrane for anemia to avoid over-deworming and product waste.
  • Oral dewormer (Albinazine) used if necessary, rotating with previous treatments.
  • Dogs receive flea, tick, and heartworm treatment.

Injection Sites

  • Due to multiple treatments, locations are spread out.
  • Right flank, left flank, and inside leg are used for subcutaneous injections.
  • Sore mouth vaccine is applied to the inside leg after scraping.

Tail Docking

  • Tails are docked to prevent fly strike (maggot infestation).
  • Maggots lay eggs on rotting tissue and eat the flesh.
  • Show sheep tails are docked shorter to emphasize the rear.
  • Commercial sheep tails are left with 2-3 inches to retain fat, which equals about a quarter pound of fat by the time they reach finished weight.
  • Docking minimizes the risk of prolapsing, though it can also be genetic.

Tail Docking Tools & Methods

  • Elastrator band: Bloodless method for castration and tail docking (less humane due to prolonged pain).
  • Bourdizzio: Blunt tool to crush the tail's blood vessels.
    • Apply to tail for 30-45 seconds, then cut with a sharp knife or hand shears.
    • Can also be used for castration.
    • Quick, easy, and common in commercial sheep farming.

Injection Techniques

  • The pinch method is used for injections in sheep.
  • UltraVac eight plus ridials with tetanus is injected subcutaneously on the flank.
  • Triangle 10 (respiratory vaccine) with a dose of 2 cc's is injected on the left flank.
  • Never re-enter a vaccine bottle after giving an injection due to contamination risks.

Sore Mouth application method (Scraping)

  • Scrape skin lightly with an 18-gauge needle (beveled side up).
  • Apply vaccine drops.
  • Rub it in with the back of the needle.

Additional Lamb Treatments

  • Lambs receive Power Punch (amino acid pack and glucose).
  • Navels are dipped.
  • Bosi is administered, and ear tags are applied if lambs appear weak.