Health

As well as timely articles on health issues, our team of vets have created some specific health information on sheep, these include technical notes, podcasts and videos. There are also numerous industry driven resources on sheep health, links can be found in the below section.

Useful Documents

Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) - Sheep Interventions

Scotland aims to become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. By improving general animal health, it will result in better production efficiency and welfare. There are nine different interventions under Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) which cover cattle and sheep, four of which involve sheep. Read more about what is covered and what funding is available here.

Disease Management

Any disease or ill health in livestock can have a negative impact on production through reduced growth rates, fertility, and rearing ability. Poor or prolonged performance will result in a rise in input costs, an extended period to sale, potentially reduced market value, and in some cases, increased mortality rates which will also result in a higher carbon footprint for the farm business.

Parasites in Sheep

Parasites affect sheep including roundworms, fluke, mites, lice, flies, and ticks which can lower flock productivity. Climate change and emerging resistance to treatment pose increasing challenges to parasite management in Scottish farms. Click here for our page on Parasites in Sheep.

Rules Of Colostrum For Lambs

The basics – colostrum is an essential element of preventing lamb mortality. It is a super food which provides energy and nutrients, helps to maintain body temperature, and allows for antibodies which form the lamb’s passive immune system as well as being a laxative cleaning out the digestive tract of the new born lamb. Read more >>

Systemic Pasteurellosis in Lambs

This year there have been increased outbreaks of systemic Pasteurellosis. While the reasons are unclear, warm wet Autumn weather may have led to increased pasture worm burdens and prolonged tick activity which, when combined with routine husbandry procedures and/or changeable weather, can increase disease outbreaks. Read more>>

Toxoplasmosis

With current concerns over the availability of Toxovax for preventing a toxoplasmosis outbreak in a flock, we look at other preventative strategies. Toxovax is currently the only vaccine available on the UK market. This vaccine is administered to ewes at least three weeks ahead of tupping. More information>>

Figure One - Coxiella Burnetii organisms seen in red under the microscope

How to Spot Q Fever and What Action to Take

The disease Q fever is caused by the bacteria Coxiella Burnetii which can infect cattle, sheep and goats. It can also cause disease in humans, usually with ‘flu-like’ symptoms which can occasionally be severe and long lasting. This article highlights some of the clinical signs to look out for, and what actions to take. More information>>

Two sheep facing each other with open mouths

Iceberg Diseases In Sheep

The phrase “Ice-berg Diseases” refers to a collection of chronic, infectious conditions which affect sheep. These diseases are so named due to the fact that for every visibly affected animal, there will be numerous other infected animals within the flock carrying the disease whilst only displaying sub clinical symptoms. Therefore, visibly affected animals generally only represent the “tip of the ice-berg”. More information>>

A ewe standing in front a barbed wire fence

Sheep Health Factsheet

This factsheet aims to highlight the general considerations for sheep health and what to look out for. It should be used as a guide for when to seek veterinary advice, rather than being used to decide when an animal requires treatment. Read more>>

Antibiotic Usage Tool

Antibiotics are vitally important when required on farms, but we must all play a part in ensuring they are available and can be used effectively for many years to come. Antibiotics are primarily only effective against bacterial infections and have no action against viruses. Read more>>

What Are Antibiotics?

Responsible use of antibiotics should be at the forefront of all our minds – should I use antibiotics? What antibiotic should I use? Are other treatments more appropriate? This guide, along with discussion with your vet should assist with key decisions surrounding antibiotic use. Read more>>

What Antibiotic Should I Choose?

Antibiotic sensitivity testing (AST) is a laboratory technique that is used to select the most effective antibiotic against an isolated bacteria. As a gold standard this should be carried out on all bacterial infections before antibiotic treatment begins. Read more>>

The 5 Point Plan For Tackling Lameness In Sheep

Footrot and scald are the leading causes of sheep lameness in the UK, resulting in serious loss of production and financial returns to farmers, as well as being an animal welfare concern. Read more>>