Interactive lesson

Sheep health, step by step

Interactive lesson: the morning flock check, taking a temperature, signs for calling the vet at once, quarantine, FAMACHA, feet and withdrawal periods.

Free sample Chapters 1 and 2 (8 steps) are free. The full lesson comes with the Natural health care for sheep module. Already bought? Unlock

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The whole lesson as text

1. An eye every morning

A sheep doesn't show weakness, so a flock is kept with the eye, every day.

Count every morning — Count the sheep and look at who lags behind, who isn't eating, who's lame and who's rubbing.
Who lags behind — A sheep that's alone, head down, and doesn't get up when you come in is a sign of illness. She doesn't eat or chew the cud.
Gait and wool — Watch whether one is lame or kneels on her front legs. Scabs, wool loss and rubbing are signs of skin disease.
Dung and tail — A healthy sheep has firm pellets. Scour, blood, mucus and a dirty tail mean something is wrong.

Why: A sheep's instinct is to hide illness, because a predator takes the sick one first. A sheep that lies down, doesn't chew the cud and doesn't get up when you walk into the pen has been ill for days.

A healthy sheep is with the flock, alert, and gets up when you come in. After eating she lies down and chews the cud.
Write down what you saw, when and in which sheep. Without records you don't notice the same problem coming back.

2. Check and temperature

Temperature is the first thing the vet will ask you.

Sheep against a wall — The sheep stands against a wall or a helper holds her. That way she keeps still while you measure.
Thermometer in the rectum — A digital thermometer, lubricated, 2–3 cm (1 in) into the rectum, against the gut wall, until it beeps. Normal is 38.5–39.5 °C (101–103 °F).
Breathing and nose — At rest a sheep breathes 15–30 times a minute. Fast breathing, an open mouth, coughing and nasal discharge are signs of illness.
Udder — A healthy udder is soft, with even halves. A hot, hard, red or blue udder and milk with clots are signs of illness.

Why: A sheep's normal temperature is roughly 38.5–39.5 °C (101–103 °F), up to 40 °C (104 °F) in hot weather. Along with temperature, look at breathing, nose, eyes and udder, and you'll know what to say on the phone.

Always take the temperature before you call the vet.
Bright eyes and a pink membrane inside the lower eyelid are signs of health. Pale or white means worms.