Keeping Livestock Healthy Joy Jones, Tillamook County 4-H & Agriculture Agent Oregon State University Extension Service

Keeping Livestock Healthy Prepare for your animal before you get one Learn about the animal. Prepare a place for it. Shelter Fencing Plan on how you will care for it. Feed Water Hauling Handling them if they are wild or when they need vet care. 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Provide a safe facility Look for hazards. Make sure it is in good repair. Provide shelter. 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Select Healthy Animals Learn about the kind of animal you are buying before purchasing it. Know what problems to look for For example: Sheep – foot rot Don’t bring problems home 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Haul your animals safely Provide protection from the elements. Sun Wind Rain 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Isolate new animals to prevent spreading diseases to your other animals. Watch for signs of disease Coughing Nasal discharge Diarrhea Rapid breathing, panting 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Isolate new animals for at least 2 weeks. Watch for fighting when you do add a new animal to a group. Can be a serious problem with pigs They can become overheated May be injured 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Do not change the animal’s diet rapidly. Find out what your animal has been eating. Give it similar feed while it adjusts to its’ new home. Do not change amounts quickly. Provide clean water. 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Vaccinate your animals Learn what diseases are common in your area. Check with the producer to see what vaccinations your animal has received. Administer booster shots as needed. 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Monitor your animal’s health Know what signs and symptoms to look for. Example: “shipping fever” or pneumonia 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Monitor your animal’s health Develop a routine for checking your animal If your animal doesn’t come for feed, don’t ignore it… check on it! If your animal acts unusual, 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Look at your animal! Check their feed and water regularly. Don’t wait till “Saturday” to do something about a potential problem. It might be too late! 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Be prepared Learn what your animal’s normal temperature should be. Have a rectal thermometer and know how it should be used. Know who you will contact if your animal is really sick. 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Veterinary Practices Law In Oregon it is illegal for someone other than a licensed veterinarian to diagnose and treat another person’s animal. This includes 4-H Leaders and friends. It is punishable with a fine. Individual’s may diagnose and treat their own animals. 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy When treatment is necessary: Administer it as directed Use correct method Example: sub-cutaneous or intramuscular injection Follow the timeline Example: administer every 48 hours 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy When treatment is necessary: Administer it as directed Use the product only as directed By your veterinarian According to the label instructions Avoid “Meat Animal Drug. Withdrawal” violations. Avoid show rule violations. 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Develop a parasite prevention plan Learn what parasites are problems for your area and type of animal. Monitor for parasites. Example: take fecal samples Develop a schedule Observe “Meat Animal Drug Withdrawal” periods. 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Preventing diseases is better than treating them Generally less costly And more successful Animals that are sick tend to go “off feed” and don’t gain weight. Some never completely recover. Some die! 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Tame your animal Calm animals are healthier. Reduce stress Reduce disease 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Tame your animal Hand feeding may be a better choice than using an automatic feeder. Halter break animals early. Brush or scratch them often. 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Keep facilities clean Clean water Help prevent coccidiosis – keep feces out of water. Clean feed Help prevent worms. Clean pen Help reduce pathogens. Clean air Help reduce respiratory infections. 2-18-2008

Keeping Livestock Healthy Be prepared. Prevent problems before they happen. Be vigilant – watch your animal. Act quickly – seek help when needed. Follow through on prescribed treatments. 2-18-2008

Keeping Your 4-H Market Animals Healthy Available at: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/4h/4-h140.pdf 2-18-2008