Anyone help with a sheep question?

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Tamski

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Went out to check my gang this morning and one of my sheep has got a snotty discharge from one nostril.

He seems ok other than the nose. Should I let him get on with it or I'd it a vet job?

Any help appreciated. We've had them for four years and never had this before.
 
I'd separate him under cover if you can and give the vet a call. If the vet has seen the flock recently they may be willing to prescribe something for you to collect

If you don't want to involve the vet I'd still separate it for a few days and keep an eye out fir other symptoms like weight loss, sneezing, coughing etc

Have they been wormed recently? That could be connected if not
 
Thanks Welshd. They've not been wormed for a while so could that be causing it?

Will try and move him tonight when hubby is home. No chance of separating him when I'm on my own and he's a big old lump. Will go and see how he's doing in a bit.
 
Don't put him under cover or separate. Speak to the vet and get some antibiotics. It could be a whole manner of things. Does he have any more symptoms. How old? Are you feeding anything inc haylage?
 
If he seems happy enough, both ears up, eating etc I'd just leave and keep an eye on it. I certainly wouldn't call the vet, we have 1200 so would soon go out ofbusiness if the vet came whenever one sniffed :D ;) but if they are pets I know that's different.

If it looked a bit sad/sick I'd jag it with penicillin and see how he is tomorrow.

Sheep are good at being ill. It's second in their skill set only to dying :D

Hope he's feeling better soon
 
Are the sheep vaccinated?
If not suspect pasteurella, treat with long acting tetracycline--from vet and start vaccinating with Heptavac P
Definitely consult vet
 
patterdale said:
Sheep are good at being ill. It's second in their skill set only to dying :D
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Actually that's not true at all and I know you meant it light heartily but as a shepherd it really hacks me off when people say it.

Sheep are herd animals and to act ill means they are vulnerable to attack so they keep up the pretence of being fine for as long as they possibly can until they are too ill to do otherwise. A good stock person will see the sheep is ill well before it's about to die. I rarely have any deaths and I can always tell you exactly what killed them - usually a dog. In the last 12 months I have had 1 ewe die and that was hypocalcaemia with pregnancy toxaemia as a secondary. She had taken hypocalcaemia the previous year and recovered well and as she was a good ewe I kept her. I got the calcium in in good time but she never came right. I should have treated for pregnancy toxaemia straight away too and I will do in future. With her I should have put her away fat after the first time I saved her. They do not die for no reason. I often consult my vet if I am unsure of the best course of action. That does not mean he often sees a sick sheep, I speak to hm on the phone. We have a lot of sheep however and spend a lot with him for medications etc so he is happy to provide that service.
 
A sheeps main ambition in life is to Drop Dead for No Apparent Reason:D
A mate of mine Lambs hundreds of the things and he always say he cannot understand why they are not extinct:D
 
navaho said:
& dont forget escaping as well. I was once told sheep have 2 missions in life, one is to escape & the other is to die. Very true.

OP good luck with your sheep & hope hes feeling better soon :)
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to die whilst escaping?

OP as sheep are herd animals that don't do well with stress i would bring more than one in if needed-if sheep is eating , moving about and acting as normal i would keep a close eye on him, as others have said once they look ill they really are-but if its just snotty it could be something simple that will pass
 
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