Small Ruminants Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is the general management of small ruminants (SR) dairy herds?
What is the legal limit SCC for SR dairy milk? For standard plate count? What should you aim for?
SCC: 1 x 10^6 cells/mL
Standard Plate Count: <100,000 cells/mL
Aim for <5000 cells/mL
What is the difference in position during shearing between goats and sheep?
sheep are sheared while recumbent
goats: recumbent or standing
When is the breeding and lambing seasons for goats and sheep in the meat production business?
When are kids/lambs usually weaned?
What is the difference in finishing between goats and sheep?
fall breeding, spring lambing
60-120 days
goats: less concentrates fed and usually stay with a producer who feeds them until market weight (lambs sometimes go to a feedlot)
Name for a castrated goat/sheep?
wether
How can you distinguish sheep from goats?
What are the differences in sheep vs. goat behavior?
T/F In sheep and goats, normal bronchovesicular sounds are comparatively harsh and it can be difficult to detect lung disease
What diagnostic tool can be used to differ from normal sounds and disease?
True
U/S
Normal TPR for goats and sheep?
What is something specific to check on rams when doing EENT and head?
skull fractures/sinus injuries d/t fighting
Estimate the age of the sheep.
What should you examine the udder for?
– Abnormal: asymmetry, heat, pain, swelling or fibrotic lesions
– If lactating, strip out milk and examine
– Check for teat lesions
How can a urine sample be obtained from sheep?
briefly occlude the nostrils
What is palpated to assess BCS in sheep and goats?
dorsal and transverse spinous processes
BCS scoring in sheep/goats?
BCS?
3
BCS?
5
BCS?
1
Normal birth weight for sheep and goats?
What are two weight measurements important to obtain t assess the growth of the kid/lamb and performance of the dam?
goats- varies based on breed
sheep- 8-13lbs single lambs, 7-10lbs for twin lambs
birth and weaning weight
If sheep/goats >1yr are going to be moving via interstate commerce, what is required?
scrapie ID tags (once put on →illegal to remove)
When is it best to castrate for meat/fiber animals? For pet animals-why?
4-14days (vary for meat breeds depending on age to market)
Pet animals: wait till >3mo to reduce risk of obstructive urolithiasis (esp pygmies or mini breeds)
What are the two bloodless castration techniques?
What do animals need to be vax against prior to performing a castration?
elastrator bands (<1week, always give tetanus AT)
burdizzo emasculatome
tetanus (+/- antitoxin)
When is performing a tail docking best? What are the two methods?
2-7 days of age
electronic docking iron (best option) & elastrator bands
Where is the best location for tail docking?
What will sheep/goats will tails docked too short be predisposed to?
no shorter than the distal end of the caudal tail fold
If too short: vaginal and rectal prolapses & perineal neoplasia (SCC)
