Veterinary Notes for the Farmer

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 60, Issue 1, 15 January 1940, Page 47

Veterinary Notes for the Farmer

Discussions on First-Aid Measures

Contributed. by the Livestock Division

Precautions Necessary in Dipping To Prevent Mortalities

CERTAIN details in the important operation of dipping must be observed if mortalities and loss are to be avoided. The sheep is a susceptible subject to pneumonia and pleurisy if any of the dipping fluid is aspirated into the lungs or if the weather at the time of dipping is not suitable. The work of dipping a flock is a most important part of good flock management, for. clean sheep, which are free from lice and ticks, thrive better and are more contented, and the wool will bring a better price, if it is free from tick-staining. There should be no risk of mortality if certain wellknown rules are followed in detail. Making Up the Fluid The dipping fluid should be made up in accordance with the instructions laid down by the makers of the particular dip being used. All details as to the immersion of the sheep should be carried out to ensure the eradication of lice and ticks. If good results are to be obtained it is necessary for the sheep to be wet right to the skin, and the head must be immersed once or twice during the swim. The sheep require to be in the bath about one minute for thorough wetting, and the time can be gauged by. the amount of fleece and the degree of parasitic infestation present. If the sheep are seriously infested with parasites a second dipping in about three weeks is necessary, as some eggs may have escaped the first bath and may later hatch out. Accuracy Essential To ensure accuracy in making up the dip according to the instructions, it is

necessary to know the capacity of the dip. The dip should, be thoroughly cleaned out before filling with-water, all sludge and dirt being removed. The capacity, should be measured accurately, and the correct amount of. the concentrate dip added. < If a powder dip is being used the amount should be weighed accurately and made into a paste before being added to the. water. - Whether a fluid, powder or paste dip is being used, thorough mixing by stirring the bath is necessary to ensure that the , dip is of the correct strength throughout. If this is not done some of the lighter ingredients of the ~ dip may be concentrated on the surface, and some of the heavier ingredients may fall to the bottom of the dip. < , - < . ■'' ' i Repeated stirring and plunging is necessary if any delay takes place during the day’s operations, and a periodic use of the plunger will prevent much of the powder from settling in the bottom of the dip. Soft Water Best Soft water, such as rain water, should be used if possible, as better mixing takes place. If hard water must be used it is necessary to counteract the hardness by the addition of 3 or 41b of washing soda per 100 gallons of water in the 1 dip. . With the soft water in a clean dip, the quantity correctly measured, the exact amount of concentrate dip added,and the whole thoroughly stirred and prepared in advance, all that is necessary before dipping begins on the following morning is the free use of the plunger from one end of the bath to the other to ensure the suspension of the active dipping ingredients.

Preparing the Sheep As for the sheep, certain precautions are also necessary. The sheep should be thoroughly rested immediately before dipping, and should have free access to water. Heated or driven sheep will be seriously affected by dipping, and, even in the absence of a cold night or adverse weather setting in, are much more subject to pleurisy or pneumonia. Dirty or daggy sheep should be cleaned up to prevent fouling of the bath and reducing the effectiveness of the dip. The dipping should be carefully supervised, and each animal allowed to breathe after its first immersion before the crutch is used to immerse the head again. A rest in the draining pen is necessary to remove all surplus dip from the fleece and to enable the animal to recover from the shock of the immersion. Biting dogs should not be used in the mustering and yarding, as there is a danger of absorption of poison through the broken bite wounds; In regard to the weather, a good day should be selected, and the dipping of rested sheep should be started early. Dipping operations should z cease early in the. afternoon to enable the last sheep put through to dry out as much as possible before nightfall. Dipping of Rants Extra care is necessary in the dipping of rams. These animals are generally dipped early, as, with the approach of the breeding season, there is a greater risk of mortality taking place. In the case of very fat or valuable stud rams, spraying or careful

hand immersion may be followed in order to avoid any risk of loss. Dipping is such a necessary and important part of sheep farming in order to eradicate and prevent parasitic infestation of the sheep , that these notes would convey a wrong impression if dipping were considered a dangerous cause of mortality. With reasonable attention to detail, as suggested, no owner, should suffer losses of sheep following dipping.