Wormers
There are three main groups of wormer for sheep - Benzimadazole, Levamisole and Avermectin. MAFF advise that farmers should change the worming group annually to avoid worm resistance to that drug. This advice is not 'cast in stone' however, as all bought-in sheep should be dosed with the Avermectin group, which has little or not resistance reported in the U.K.

At certain times of year, it may be advisable to use a 'strategic' wormer to remove tapeworm, as not all the worming groups affect tapeworm. For advice on which product to use for best effect on your farm, please ask our staff for their recommendation.

Vaccines
All the major PML vaccines are held in stock such as Heptavac 'P' +, Ovivac 'P' +, Covexin and Footvax. It is important to realise that most vaccines need two doses before the animal reaches full immunity levels. The first injection 'stimulates' the body to produce antibodies known as the primary response. The antibodies at this time are not sufficient to prevent disease and only last for a few weeks. However, a second injection (usually 4-6 weeks after the first) causes a rapid (secondary) response with high levels of antibodies being produced within the next five to seven days. This gives the animal immunity (known as artificial active immunity) for several months.

Dips and Pour-ons
Due to new legislation, organophosphate dips are suspended from sale pending the introduction of new containers. That leaves only the synthetic pyrethroids for plunge dipping of sheep. There are areas within the UK, which have pyrethroid resistant scab mites, which means that an alternative method of treatment and control will be necessary. It is also extremely important that farmers and contractors take the necessary precautions with regard to safe disposal of synthetic pyrethroid dips. Please follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Foot treatments
Footrot is one of the most important health and welfare issues facing flocks in the UK. It causes visible pain, reduces performance and costs farmers significant amounts of money in terms of labour, treatments and premature culling.

By implementing a footrot control programme for your flock, you can significantly reduce the incidence of this damaging disease and in some cases, eradicate it completely. Using a combination of 'clean' grazing, vaccination, foot pairing and bathing, plus culling the most severely affected animals, will improve the condition of your flock's feet and general health.

Vaccination provides effective treatment to infected sheep as well as long term protection. It is important to coincide vaccination with the period of maximum footrot challenge for best results.

For advice on this or any other aspect of sheep and animal health and products available, please contact a member of our sales staff who will be happy to help.