SHEARING PRECAUTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 221, 18 September 1930, Page 25

SHEARING PRECAUTIONS.

DISEASES DUE TO WOUND

INFECTION,

As the shearing, season ie* now approaching, it is perhaps a suitable opportunity to draw attention to the desirability of taking all possible Steps to prevent the occurrence of those diseases which are duo to wound infection. The most important of Jhese are tetanus, caseous lymphadenitis" and malignant oedema. Undoubtedly through the injuries received at shearing , , many cases of these diseases are brought about/ and care is required to prevent the contamination of wounds as much as possible. Of course, every step should be taken to minimise the number of wounds which are inflicted on sheep during shearing, as naturally the less they are injured the less likelihood will there be of infection occurring. . . . Before shearing commences, the shods should be well cleaned up and disinfected by thoroughly scrubbing with hot water and soda, and then washing with some disinfectant. The pens at the bottom of the chutes require careful attention, es these so often contain masses, of dead wool and faeces and contaminated dust. This is especially necessary when pens are under the woolshed, as no sunlight: can penetrate there, and consequently they are more dangerous. All this dirt should be cleared up, and fresh, clean soil or gravel placed in position. Care is desirable in handling the sheep, so that as far as can be prevented they do not fall on to this material with newlyinfected cuts on their bodies.

Tho combs, cutters, and blades should be thoroughly overhauled, cleaned, and disinfected. The cleansing of is particularly necessary, and such cleaning should be repeated during shearing operations. Any animal which is noted to havo discharging wounds about.the shoulders, flanks, or udder, discharging a greenish pus, should be separated and should be shorn separately, care being taken that combs and cutters are afterwards disinfected before being used on other sheep. Such animals are liable,to spread disease, and it is desirable t<> cull them out of tho flocks.

.As dust blowing on to sheep from infected yards is liable to infect any wounds .present on theni, the damping down'of the yards during periods when the j shee'p are. being , .worked in themy especially just before and after shearing, is very desirable: If sheep aro kept for long an the pens'after shearing, .it Jβ obvious that the chances of infection arc increased. Therefore, it is always desirable,to get the sheep out of the pens as soon as possible. Only if thorough cleanliness is observed in all operations connected with shearing will these diseases 'which are due to the infection of, wounds be thoroughly controlled. -V . ... •■ , : -v ' ■■•■;# ,