Regular Health Checks and Preventive Measures

Establishing a regular schedule for veterinary visits is essential for early detection and treatment of health issues in sheep, maintaining a healthy herd, and preventing disease spread. Regular health evaluations or flock health assessments enable the assessment of the health and condition of either individual animals or the whole flock. These checks include thorough physical exams to evaluate body condition, heart and lung function, signs of illness or injury, reproductive health, and the status of vaccinations and deworming. These wellness examinations are crucial for detecting potential health problems early, applying preventive strategies, and formulating suitable treatment plans to maintain the flock’s health and maximize productivity.

Vaccinations and Deworming Protocols

Implementing a comprehensive preventive care program, including vaccinations and parasite control, is fundamental to the health and productivity of sheep in solar grazing projects. Typical vaccinations for sheep cover clostridial diseases like tetanus and enterotoxemia, alongside vaccines for specific risks, including caseous lymphadenitis (CL), contagious ecthyma (Orf), and diseases causing abortion, such as Campylobacter and Chlamydia. Maintaining flock health necessitates efficient parasite management. Strategic grazing practices mitigate the effects of internal and external parasites, including worms, ticks, and flies. Still, in some cases, a sheep may need to be dewormed.

Nutritional Management

Effective nutritional management guarantees that sheep are fed a balanced diet that suits their unique dietary needs. A healthy sheep diet involves an optimal mix of energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber to match various life stages, production objectives, and environmental scenarios. Solar graziers must also consider feed quality, appropriate diets based on age and life cycle stage, and feeding strategies. We always pay close attention to the physical condition of our sheep to enhance their growth, reproductive success, grazing habits, and general health. Large animal veterinarians play a crucial role in advising us on the nutritional management of our grazing sheep and recommending feed types and supplements to promote animal health and land sustainability.

Preventing and Treating Disease

• Respiratory diseases like pneumonia and pasteurellosis can significantly impact sheep’s health. Our large animal vets help us by providing accurate diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic prescriptions, supportive care, and preventive strategies to reduce the risk of respiratory infection.
• Diarrheal diseases can also severely threaten sheep, leading to dehydration and weight loss. Our veterinarian is on standby to provide fluid therapy, antimicrobial or anti-parasitic treatment, and dietary adjustments to support recovery and prevent the spread of diarrheal diseases. That said, sometimes sheep simply get dirty. If their behind is muddy or dirty, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are sick. That’s why working with a vet and monitoring our flocks is so critical to ensure their health.
• Brucellosis is a bacterial disease that threatens sheep reproduction and natural flock growth. We work with our vets to maintain a healthy flock and take preventative measures.
• Rabies prevention is essential for both animal and human safety. We work with our vets to vaccinate our animals, limit wildlife contact, and prevent disease transmission.
• Tuberculosis skin testing is vital for detecting Mycobacterium bovis, which can spread to other animals and humans.
• Mastitis treatment involves antibiotics, hygiene practices, and targeted therapies to resolve infections, crucial for maintaining udder health and feeding efficiency.

Other Veterinary Procedures We Invest In

Routine dental care ensures sheep’s dental health, with regular check-ups to treat issues like overgrown teeth or dental abscesses and proper nutrition to prevent dental problems. We selectively buy and breed sheep that don’t have horns to reduce injury risks. Our sheep get routine hoof trimming to help prevent lameness. Like humans, sheep can get hurt by stepping on uneven terrain or running into areas populated with fire ants. That’s why we closely monitor our flocks for changes in grazing habits and work closely with our veterinarians to promote herd health and productivity.

Monitoring and Managing Grazing Impact

Large animal veterinarians also provide essential guidance on managing grazing intensity and duration to prevent overgrazing and ensure the health of both sheep and land. We adopt best practices, such as rotational grazing, to help maintain land health and animal welfare. Our contracted veterinary practice helps us monitor and adjust grazing patterns to ensure our flock gets adequate nutrients from the land.