The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1962-10-18
ication Program
Sheep Scabies
Begin Oct. y

alationS for the eradication
yep scabies require that all
flocks in Maryland be in
ed for "scabies" This inspec-
will be conducted in Garrett
lty starting the week of Octo-
% by County Agents, livestock
/ ectors and veterinarians. There
be no charge for the flock
pection and flocks that are in
ted will be dipped free. All
mers owning sheep will be mott
d by mail as to the date and
ne of their inspection. County
gent, James McHenry. asks ali
rmers to cooperate by having
Ieir flock in or near the barn to
oeed up the inspection work
Sheep scabies, somtimes referred
as sheep scab or itch, is a dis
aSe caused by an infestation of
mites. There are several mites that
are capable of causing some degree
Of itch in sheep it was explained.
The psoroptic scab mite is the
most important and causes the
classical disease called scabies.
The entire life cycle of this mite is
spent on the sheep.
Scratching, biting the wool. rub
bIng, and restlessnesS are the usual
signs of infestation. These reactions
result in areas of looScned wool
at the site of infestatiOn. which
includes the shoulders, sides, and
the rump.
Affected sheep become restless
and spend too much time and ener-
gy in biting and scratching This
detracts from feeding and resting,
resulting in loss of body weight
and, in extreme cases. even death
The enflamed areas become in
fected with bacteria, causing
thickening of the skin.
Dipping is not compulsory in a
negative inspected flock. #. how
ever, any of the sheep are to be
loaned, traded, exchanged. sold, or
moved for any purpose other than
immediate slaughter, and the flock
is not a state-federal certified
scabies-free flock, they must be
dipped within ten days before ship
men'.
If inspection of a flock discloses
scabies infestation. the entire flock
will be quarantined and must be
treated in a permitted dip under
supervision of a state or federal
authorized inspector in a dipping
vat, or the flock may be sold for
immediate slaughter within ten
days to a s!aughtering establish
ment within the state.
When sheep are dipped in lin
dane solution the inspector super
vising the treatment shall issue
certificate with the statement that
slaughter shall be delayed for
period of 60 days. If another per-
mitted dip is used, the necessary
delay before slaughter will be so
indicated.
All clippings must be certified by
state or federal employee or an
accredited veterinarian. The dip
ping material for sheep which must
be dipped under this program will
be furnished by the state.
Sheep breeders may dip their
own flocks The dipping must be
supervised and certified by state
or federal employee or an ac-
credited veterinarian. Sheep thus
properly dipped and the dipping
property certified will have the
same status as sheep dipped in
other watts.
The Maryland Livestock Sanitary
Service has a portable vat avaible
in the state to be used in the
scabies eradication program, and
an attempt is being made to Sc
cure another one
The flock owner or his hired
personnel shall bring the sheep
to the vat, handle them through
the dipping process and return
them to their quarters.