The goal: healthy sheep
Always take a sick
animal's temperature
Antibiotic
Pen-Aqueous
Intramammary antibiotics
Extra-label
Ophthalmic ointment
Long-acting antibiotic
LA-200® Extra-label
Antibiotic for scours (Rx)
CD-T toxoid
Tetanus anti-toxin
Injectable vitamins
Needles
Syringes
Anthelmintic (Cydectin®)
A coccidiostat can be added
to feed, mineral, or water.
Sulfa drug (Rx)
Bo-Se (Rx)
Dextrose and Calcium
Oral dosing syringes
Drenching
Always follow label instructions
Tools for vaccinating
Subcutaneous injection
Properly dispose of sharps
For treating ketosis
Probiotics
For treating digestive upsets
Anti-inflammatories
Intraperitoneal
injection (demo)
Healthy lambs
Drug use in sheep
A drug is a product used to treat or prevent an illness. Drugs can play an important role in preserving the health of individual sheep and the flock as a whole. However, they need to be used in a responsible manner, and producers should strive to minimize drug use and not use drugs in place of good management and feeding practices.
There are two classes of drugs: over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription (RX). OTC drugs are available to producers from many sources: veterinarians, feed and farm supply stores, and via mail order companies. Prescription (Rx) drugs can only be purchased and used under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian.
Extra-Label Drug Use
It goes without saying that all drugs should be used in accordance with the manufacturer's label or product insert. Using a drug in any manner that is not specified on the manufacturer's label must meet the requirements of "extra-label" drug use. Extra label drug use requires veterinary involvement.
In addition to using a drug that is not labeled for a particular species, giving a higher dosage of an "approved" drug or administering it in a different manner (SQ vs. IM) also constitutes extra-label drug use.
Extra-label drug use can be legal when the health of an animal is threatened and there is no other treatment alternative. However unapproved drugs cannot be used "off-label" to improve performance or control reproduction. As compared to cattle, horses, and swine, fewer drugs are FDA-approved for use in sheep.
Withdrawal period
The withdrawal period is the amount of time it takes for a drug to "clear" the animal's system, so that drug residues do not remain in the tissues or milk. Every federally-approved drug or animal health product has a withdrawal period printed on the product label or package insert.When used for an approved species, most meat withdrawal periods range from 0 to 60 days. Withdrawal periods may be different for milk and in some cases, the product is not approved for use in dairy females. Withdrawal periods can be an important consideration when choosing which drug to use to treat a sick animal.
Withdrawal periods should be extended when combinations of drugs are used or when drugs are used in an extra-label manner. In these situations or at any time a producer is uncertain as to the withdrawal period of a certain drug, a veterinarian should be consulted. Veterinarians have access to the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database (FARAD) which provides withdrawal information for drugs that are used in an extra-label manner.
Antibiotics
An antibiotic is a medication used to treat or prevent bacterial infections. When used appropriately, antibiotics are powerful tools for maintaining healthy, productive animals. Not all antibiotics work the same and are effective against the same bacteria or diseases. Sometimes, laboratory cultures are necessary to determine which antibiotic(s) should be used to treat a disease.
Producers should limit antibiotic treatment to those animals that are sick or at-risk of becoming sick. If antibiotics are not used properly, the opportunity for resistant bacteria to evolve increases needlessly and can compromise future antibiotic therapy. Detailed and accurate records of antibiotic treatments and outcomes should be recorded.The following table lists the antibiotics that are currently FDA-approved for use in sheep and lambs. The approved antibiotics vary in their use.
Antibiotics FDA-approved for sheep (source: Animal Drugs @ FDA)
Withdrawal
single treatment
Agri-Cillin®
< 4 consecutive days
10 mg/lb.When deemed necessary, the following antibiotics may be prescribed for use in sheep by veterinarians. When using drugs extra-label, you cannot assume the withdrawal period indicated on the label is adequate for sheep.
Extra label antibiotics (source: Animal Drugs @ FDA)
(other species)
SpectoGard™
Scour-Chek™
Sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics
Sub-therapeutic means below the dosage level to treat disease. Sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics are sometimes fed to sheep and/or lambs to prevent disease outbreaks. Feeding antibiotics to ewes during late pregnancy can help to control abortions. When a ewe has been assisted in the delivery of her lamb(s), it is recommended that she be given an antibiotic to prevent uterine infections.
Antibiotic use is prohibited under USDA certified organic and natural standards of livestock and meat production. While it is not recommended that treatment be withheld from a sick animal, if an animal is treated with an antibiotic, it cannot be marketed as certified organic or natural. It's milk cannot be used to make in organic products.
Anthelmintics
An anthelmintic is a medication which kills worms. It is also called a "dewormer." Anthelmintics are available as drenches, boluses, pastes, injectables, pour-ons, and as products that you mix with the feed. All anthelmintics may be purchased over-the-counter.
It is recommended that sheep and lambs always be treated with oral products: drenches and boluses. These formulations are more effective and less likely to promote drug resistance. In the U.S., they are the only products FDA-approved for use in sheep and lambs.When treating sheep for parasites, make sure you give them the proper dose. Underdosing promotes the development of drug-resistant worms. Anthelmintics should be delivered over the sheep's tongue using a syringe with a long metal nozzle.
It is not recommended that sheep and lambs be dewormed on a regular or scheduled basis or that all animals in a group be treated with an anthelmintic. Selective anthelmintic use should be integrated with other worm control practices.
Anthelmintics FDA-approved for sheep (source: Animal Drugs @ FDA)
2 ml/50 lbs.Under USDA organic standards, animals destined for slaughter cannot be treated with an anthelmintic. While it is not recommended that treatment be withheld from a clinically parasitized animal, if it is treated, it cannot be sold as certified organic, even if proper or extended withdrawal periods are observed.
Coccidiostats
A coccidiostat is a compound added to animal feed to partially inhibit or delay the development of coccidia, a protozoan parasite that causes scouring and damage to the lining of the small intestines. Coccidiostats are "narrowly" classified as antibiotics by FDA, though they are not used in human medicine.
In the U.S., Bovatec® (lasalocid) is approved as a coccidiostat for sheep maintained in confinement. Twenty to 30 grams of Bovatec® may be mixed in a ton of sheep feed. Ionophores are permitted under USDA natural standards, but not under USDA organic standards. There is no slaughter withdrawal.
Deccox® (decoquinate) is also approved as a coccidiostat for young sheep. It can be mixed in the feed or milk replacer. Rumensin® (monensin) is not approved for use in sheep, but can be prescribed by a veterinarian, if the other coccidiostats are determined to be ineffective. Rumensin is toxic to members of the equine family.
Coccidiostats FDA-approved for sheep (source: Animal Drugs @ FDA) Corid® (amprolium) is the only coccidiostat that can be used as both a preventative and treatment for coccidiosis. It can be mixed in the drinking water to prevent outbreaks of coccidiosis or it can be administered to individual animals at a higher dose to treat clinical coccidiosis.
Corid has a unique mode of action. It mimics thiamine (vitamin B12). When the coccidia ingest Corid, they experience thiamine deficiency and starve from malnutrition. Sulfa drugs are also used to treat coccidiosis.
Extra label drugs for treating coccidiosis (source: Animal Drugs @ FDA)
4 cc of 12% solution/25 lbs.Sulmet®
liquid, oblet, powderSulfamethazine Various Both Corid and sulfa drugs require veterinary approval.
Vaccines (biologics)
A vaccine is a biological preparation which is used to establish or improve immunity to a particular disease. Sheep and lambs are commonly vaccinated for clostridial diseases and other diseases as situations warrant.
A vaccine stimulates the body's defense system to build immunity to a particular disease, by exposing the animal to either the live organism in a safe form (e.g. sore mouth) or to a killed or inactivated organism or part of an organism (e.g. clostrididal diseases).
Vaccinations in an annual program require an initial dose the first year followed by a booster to provide maximum protection. Anti-toxins can be used in disease outbreaks or to provide immediate short-term immunity. In sheep, the tetanus anti-toxin is often give to lambs at the time of docking and/or castration, if the lamb's dam was not vaccinated.
Most vaccines are administered by giving an injection under-the-skin (subcutaneous). A few are administered intramuscularly and occasionally some are given topically (e.g., soremouth vaccine) or intranasally. If there is a choice, subcutaneous injections should be given, as this causes less damage to muscle tissue.
Vaccines labeled for sheep and lambs (source: product labels)
Withdrawal
revaccinate annually (single dose)
10 ml SQ; for treatment double doses
revaccinate annually
Annual booster
1,500 units for prevention
3,000-15,000 units for treatment, SQ or IM
annually or prior to anticipated outbreaksAlways followed label directions when giving vaccines. Proper handling of vaccines is important to prevent vaccination failure. Vaccines are sensitive to light and should be refrigerated.
All USDA and third party labeling and certification programs allow the use of vaccines for disease prevention.
Other treatments and medications
Sometimes other injectables are used to treat health problems in sheep. For a producer to adminster many of these injectables, the product(s) must be purchased from and used under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian.
Other injectables (source: product labels) Banamine® Rx Anti-inflammatory.
Anti-pain.Consult veterinarian. Rx
selenium deficiency.
Lambs, 1 ml/40 lbs.Calcium gluconate OTC Treat milk fever caused by calcium deficiency. 50-100 ml of a 23% solution, IV Dexamethasone Rx Anti-inflammatory.
Anti-pain.Consult veterinarian. Dextrose, 50% OTC Treat glucose deficiency (e.g. ketosis). Nutrient replenisher.
50 cc/100 lbs. IV Epinephrine Rx For treatment of anaphylactoid shock. 1 ml/100 lbs, SQ OTC Lutalyse®
PGF-2ARx Causes the regression of the corpus luteum in cattle. Induce parturition in swine. Rx Thiamine HCL
Vitamin B1Rx To treat thiamine deficiency (polioencephalomalacia) Consult veterinarian. OTC OTC
Lambs, 2-4 ml IM or SQOTC Oral products are used to treat disease conditions or provide supportive therapy. Unlike many of the injectables listed above, they can usually purchased over-the-counter and used without veterinary consultation. They are commonly used to treat sheep with digestive upsets or to provide supplemental nutrition to sick or stressed animals.
Oral treatments (source: product labels) Bimusal
(bismuth subsalicylate)
Same as Pepto Bismol®Electrolytes
(many brands)Supplemental supply of electrolytes and fluids. To rehydrate sick animals.; Kao-Pec
Kaolin-Pectin
Same as Kaopectate®Mineral oil Mild laxative. Power Punch™ Probios® oral gel Propylene glycol Sheep Nutri-drench™
(poxalene)Vitamin E and
Selenium oral gelSupplemental source of vitamin E and selenium Various products found around the house can often be used to treat sheep and lambs for simple health problems. In some cases, they can replace more expensive commercial products or supplements. Like the oral treatments in the table above, they are used primarily to treat digestive upsets and provide supplemental nutrition to stressed animals.
Common household remedies Aspirin Pain reliever. Fever reducer. 1 day meat WD. Antacid To neutralize acid in the rumen. Baking soda To neutralize acid in the rumen. Honey Energy supplement. Kaopectate® Treat non-infectious diarrhea. Karo syrup® Energy supplement. Molasses Prevent or treat mild cases of ketosis. Pedialyte®
Gatorade®For rehydrating a sick animal. Pepto Bismol® Treat non-infectious diarrhea. Vegetable/corn oil For treatment of bloat. Yogurt
(plain, live culture)
Restore healthy bacteria to digestive system.
Household remedies are used on a trial-and-error basis. Generally, there is no scientific basis for their use and they may not be as effective as the commercial products.
Administering medications and other treatments
Medications do little good, unless they are administered properly. You can also kill or cause permanent damage to an animal if you do not administer the medication properly. Before any treatments are given, the animal must be properly restrained.
Injections
Only clean needles and syringes should be used for giving injections. A clean needle should be used to draw solution out of a bottle. The length and gauge of the needle will depend upon the size of the animal and the thickness of the solution. Generally, use the smallest gauge needle that is suitable. a 5/8 inch 18 gauge needle is ideal for vaccinating sheep and lambs. Needles are inexpensive and should be disposed of after use.
Types of injections SQ Subcutaneous Under the skin axilla (armpit)
over ribs
up on neck
behind shoulderIM Intramuscular In the muscle neck muscle IV Intravenously In the vein jugular vein IP Intraperitoneal Into the peritoneum body cavity Into the udder teat canal
The best place to give subcutaneous injections is in the loose skin of the axilla (armpit) or over the ribs. Intramuscular injections should be given in the neck muscle. While the large muscle mass of the thigh may seem like the logical place to given an intramuscular injection, this will cause damage to the meat.When repeating injections, use the opposite side of the animal for the second injection. Never inject more than 5 ml at one site.
Very few drugs need to be given intravenously; although the same technique is used to collect blood samples. It takes some skill to locate a vein (usually the jugular) and keep the needle in place while the drug is being given. IV drugs should be injected slowly, as animals will react very quickly, with the drug dispersing to all the tissues and going straight to the heart.
An intraperitoneal injection should only be attempted by a skilled person who is familiar with anatomy, as improper technique can cause peritonitis. An intraperitoneal injection is most commonly given to a hypothermic lamb. While the lamb is hanging from its front legs the needle is inserted perpendicular to the skin, approximately 1 inch to the side of and 1 inch caudal to the navel.
Intramammary "injections" (infusions) are given using a long-neck tube instead of a needle. The tube is delicately inserted into the teat sphincter. It goes without saying that the end of the teat should be cleaned before inserting the tube into the teat canal.
Learn proper injection techniques ==>If the animals receiving the injection will be used for meat, make sure you check the withdrawal times. Slaughter withdrawal times for most vaccines are 21 days. Meat withdrawal periods for antibiotics and other injectables vary. Be sure to check the label or consult with a veterinarian. When a drug is used extra label, its withdrawal time may be longer than what is listed on the label for the approved species.
Sharps
Sharps should be properly disposed of. Sharps include needles, syringes, scalpel blades, slides, pipettes,and anything else that can puncture. Sharps should be collected on the farm in a rigid, puncture-resistant container with a screw-on or tightly secured lid. Containers should be visibly labeled as biohazardous material. Once full, they should be taken to an approved collection facility for medical or veterinary waste. Expired and unused medicine should be disposed of in the same manner as sharps.
Drenching
Drenching is when liquid medicine is poured down the animal's throat. An oral syringe with a long metal nozlze should be used for drenching. Automatic drench guns can be used for large numbers of animals.To drench, you should place a hand under the animal's head and tilt it slightly to the side. The gun nozzle should be placed in the gap between the molar and incisor teeth and then over the back of the tongue. If the medicine is placed in the mouth, it may by-pass the rumen as it escapes down the esophageal groove. The animal should swallow before the gun is removed. Covering the animal's nostrils will encourage swallowing.
Poor drenching technique can cause aspiration pneumonia (an infection of the lungs caused by breathing in foreign material). To prevent medicine from entering the animal's bronchial tubes or lungs, the animal's head should be held horizontally. It should not be tilted up. Drench guns should not be forced down the animal's throat. Drenches should not be administered faster than the animal can swallow.
Giving boluses
Sheep and lambs can be given boluses (or capsules) by using a balling gun. A balling gun is a plastic or metal tube with a capsule holder on one end and a plunger on the other end (to eject the capsules). Balling guns are available in different sizes. Young animal balling guns are suitable for sheep and lambs.The balling gun is inserted into the animal's mouth in the same manner as drenching. The plunger should not be depressed until the end of the gun is over the base of the tongue. Otherwise, the pill may be chewed or spit out by the animal.
Quality and Safety Assurance
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) began development of an industry-wide quality and safety assurance program in 1991. Quality assurance programs provide assurances to consumers that products have been produced in accordance with certain standards, including the proper use of animal health products.
USDA and third party certification groups that do not allow the use of antibiotics, anthelmintics, coccidiostats, and other animal health products do so without any scientific basis. As with people, sometimes drugs are necessary to maintain the health and well-being of farm animals. It is safe to consume the milk and meat from treated animals, if proper withdrawal times have been observed.Drug use in sheep
<== SHEEP 201 INDEX
Copyright© 2011. Sheep 101 and 201.