Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1925-07-02
Sheep Diseases
Causing Losses
Much Of Trouble Among
Western Flocks Can Be
Readily Controlled.

| prepared by the United states Department
OF Agricuture.)
| A series Of related sheep and lamb
diseases which have caused western
flock owners increasing losses can
readily be brought under control by
preventive measures. This announce
ment by the United States Department
of Agriculture is based on the results
of Investigations by DR.. w. T. Huff
man, federal veterinarian stationed in
Idaho, who has worked in cooperation
with DR.. J. S. Dade, inspector in
charge for the state board of sheep
commissioners.
Trace Many Of Losses.
In the past the sheepmen have ac-
cepted most of the losses from strange
diseases philosophically as one Of the
hazards of the business, but the in
creasing prevalence and virulence of
the infection have caused them to
seek relief. Acting on requests for
assistance from flock owners in south
ern Idaho, the veterinary investiga-
tors have traced many of the losses to
necrobacillosis. These related all
ments are: Foot rot, lip-and-leg ul-
ceratiOn, venereal form of the dis
ease affecting breeding stock, and liv-
er infection Of young lambs through
the navel. In the form of the disease
last mentioned, affected lambs invari-
ably die-usually before three weeks old
| Tho 10 to ole h0o o..
sheep affected with foot rot, since they
cannot travel, and as a consequence
are unable to obtain much feed A
similar result follows infection with lip
and-leg liberation. Moreover, sick
sheep fall an easy prey to coyotes
and other range marauders. The ex-
istence Of any one form of the dis
ease may lead to other forms in the
same band, fact which sheepmen APP
parently have not understood. Accord
ingly, the investigators report, the in
lection Of adult sheep must be con-
trolled if flock owners wish to avoid
the fatal liver infection of their lambs.
Best Means Of Control.
Treatment for the first three forms
OF necrobacillosis consists in the use
of antiseptics and astringents, COM
bined with the prompt removal from
the flock of affected sheep. Medicinal
treatment of affected lambs is useless,
as infection involves the liver and soon
| proves fatal. Distinction of the ma
vel for day or two Is sometimes ben
eficial In prevention, but the best
means of control is to keep infection
out of the flock.
"Where the soil is not sandy or 9TH
erwise porous" say the investigators,
''we advocate the use of a layer of
gravel at least two inches deep in the
| lambing sheds. When covered with
straw, this makes clean dry bed; and
the soil Is not worked up as occurs
with dirt floors. While concrete floors
for Landing sheds have been suggested,
these are scarcely suitable for range
conditions where the sheds are largely
temporary or are on leased land.
Gravel can be disinfected without diff
iculty; it is inexpensive and has
proved highly satisfactory for the pur-
pose"
ITO give an Idea of the extent of
/ flock master who had a band of 1900
ewes, declared that this year the liver
infection had been fatal to $1,000
worth of lambs. Another owner who
was grazing 1000 ewes, lost 200 of
them-20 per cent-from the foot-rot
form of the disease"
Can Control Losses.
Observations of the investigators
support the belief that sheepmen can
control their losses and prevent fur
Their spread OF the disease, in it's va
rious forms, II they will "cure up" all
infected stock before letting it go on
the range. A great many ewes, also,
are being shipped East, and purchas-
ers are urged to cooperate in sup
pressing any infection that may de-
velop.
The disease appears to be associated
largely with bad weather, crowded
and insanitary feed lots, infected
ranges failure to separate infected
animals promptly from the flock, and
muddy and insanitary Landing sheds.
With the control methods outlined and
clear understanding Of the close re-
lationship between the various forms
of the disease, sheepmen need not
| continue to sustain heavy losses
In Idaho where the conditions de-
scribed have received special study,
further information may be obtained
by addressing the State Board of Sheep
Commissioners. Boise. The United
States Department of Agriculture
Washington, also will furnish bulletins
on sheep diseases and parasites to
interested persons.