Methods are given for examining sheep for footrot, foot abscess, lice, scabby mouth, fleece rot, lumpy wool, pink eye, cancer and cheesy gland. There is always a risk that sheep bought at a saleyard will introduce unwanted disease to your property.
Buyers have little opportunity to find out the disease history of sheep before purchase.
However, by carefully observing the sheep and taking some simple precautions, you can minimise the chances of disease being introduced. As you approach the pen, look for sheep holding feet in the air or limping. This can be a sign of virulent footrot, foot abscess or benign footrot. As you get closer to the pen, the sheep tend to forget about sore feet in their eagerness to get away. Watery, red or cloudy eyes may be pink eye.