CANCER IN SHEEP.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 2712, 23 January 1892, Page 3 (Supplement)

CANCER IN SHEEP.

This is becoming rather a common disea ee, and one that requires to be promptly eradicated from the flocks in which it is observable. The carelessness of owners would undoubtedly seem to be one of the chief causes of ite spread, for it is infectious and dangerous to other sheep, if not to human beings. There is no cure, though occasionally an animal that has had its ear cut off will temporarily show signs of improvement. Cancer is usually developed in the ears and nose, and it is pretty certain that deep or unskilful fire-branding or earmarking tend to produce it, more especially the former. The cropping of ears is generally forbidden by the stock departments, so that this palliative treatment cannot legally be adopted. The number developing foe disease has latterly increased to such an extent that shearers have made it one of their demands that they shall not be compelled to shear them. In labelling stud stock, care should be taken to see that tbo hole in which tbe label is placed La sufficiently large. A cancerous growth is sometimes produced if foe perforation is too small, or has not been cleanly cut, tbe excrescence forming on the piece that has been carelessly left. Firebranding is like making pastry in one respect—it requires a light hand, and very few people can do it properly. In some flocks that have l>een done the mark is not decently observable iu 50 per cent.; in others it has been performed so deeply that horny-looking growth* alter a time became apparent, or cancerous sores. There are certainly more canceled sheep ia flocks that are fire-branded than in those that are not. Old ewes usually show more signs of the disease tliau others, especially in country where salt has to be used, for foe constant meeting of the sheep at one or more of the “ licks” alone promotes infection. Climate seems to have little to do with its progress. When a sheep is cancerous it is better killed, and its carcase burnt. Its misery and sufferings are thus not prolonged. J'astorulUt Review.