ANIMAL HEALTH
abnormalities in the faeces,
From page 38
botulism.
K Deworming ~ Wise
shepherds say “You deworm a
sheep when it's wormy.” The
surest way to know is to have
your vet do a worm check on
a faecal sample. However,
there are three key signals
one can detect without
relying on a vet. A snotty
nose, particularly in the
mornings, is a symptom of
nasal worm infestation, which
probably means infestation of
intestinal worms as well.
“Bottle jaw” is a soft swelling
under the head to the rear of
the jaw and is another sign of
worm infestation. Finally,
including softer than usual
droppings, droppings that
clump together and diarrhoea
are all signs of possible worm
problems.
Conventional wisdom in the
past was to deworm regularly,
particularly in the summer
months. However, because of
the development of resistance
to dewormers among
parasites, a more conservative
approach is now advocated
by many, with deworming
only being undertaken when
there are signs of infestation.
Although some are available
by injection, most dewormers
are administered orally. This
need be neither expensive
not difficult. Although you can
buy a purpose designed
dosing gun, you can use a
large plastic veterinary syringe
fitted with a 15cm length of
flexible plastic or rubber tube,
particularly for a small flock.
Goats
Goats should be inoculated
against Pulpy kidney (Enterotoxaemia), Pasteurella,
Brucellosis and Enzootic
abortion (Chlamydiosis).
Pigs
Sows should be vaccinated for
Escherichia coli (colibaccilosis)
before parturition as the
disease attacks young piglets,
while non-gestating sows
should be vaccinated against
leptospirosis, swine erysipelas
and parvovirus.
Boars should be vaccinated
against the same diseases
twice annually.
Poultry
Of all poultry species chickens
are the most susceptible to
Newcastle Disease and
vaccination is vital in large
flocks of layers, broilers and
breeders. Newcastle Disease
is caused by a virus and there
is no treatment for chickens
once they have the disease.
Vaccination is therefore
advisable even for smallholder's flocks. The disease is
highly contagious and
40
www.sasmallholder.co.za
notifiable.
Vaccination timing and
frequency depends on the
nature of the flock (ie,
broilers or layers).
Probably the most common
ailment in smallholder flocks
is coccidiosis, for which a
simple sulphonamide drug is
administered, usually through
the birds' drinking water.
Other diseases against which
chickens should be vaccinated, again depending on
the nature of the flock,
include Marek's Disease,
gumboro, infectious bronchitis, infectious laryngotracheitis, egg drop syndrome, fowl pox and coryza.