Keeping Livestock Keeping Livestock HealthyHealthy

Joy Jones, Tillamook County 4-H & Agriculture AgentJoy Jones, Tillamook County 4-H & Agriculture AgentOregon State University Extension ServiceOregon State University Extension Service

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Prepare for your animal before you get onePrepare for your animal before you get one Learn about the animal.Learn about the animal. Prepare a place for it.Prepare a place for it.

ShelterShelter FencingFencing

Plan on how you will care for it.Plan on how you will care for it. FeedFeed WaterWater HaulingHauling Handling them if they are wild orHandling them if they are wild or

when they need vet care.when they need vet care.

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Provide a safe facilityProvide a safe facility Look for hazards.Look for hazards. Make sure it is in good repair.Make sure it is in good repair. Provide shelter.Provide shelter.

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Select Healthy AnimalsSelect Healthy Animals Learn about the kind of animal you are buying Learn about the kind of animal you are buying

before purchasing it.before purchasing it. Know what problems to look forKnow what problems to look for

For example: Sheep – foot rotFor example: Sheep – foot rot Don’t bring problems home Don’t bring problems home

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Haul your animals safelyHaul your animals safely Provide protection from the elements.Provide protection from the elements.

SunSun WindWind RainRain

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Isolate new animals to prevent spreading Isolate new animals to prevent spreading diseases to your other animals.diseases to your other animals. Watch for signs of diseaseWatch for signs of disease

CoughingCoughing Nasal dischargeNasal discharge DiarrheaDiarrhea Rapid breathing, pantingRapid breathing, panting

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Isolate new animals for at least 2 weeks.Isolate new animals for at least 2 weeks.

Watch for fighting when you do add a new Watch for fighting when you do add a new animal to a group. animal to a group.

Can be a serious problem with pigs Can be a serious problem with pigs They can become overheatedThey can become overheated May be injuredMay be injured

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Do not change the animal’s diet rapidly.Do not change the animal’s diet rapidly. Find out what your animal has been eating.Find out what your animal has been eating. Give it similar feed while it adjusts to its’ Give it similar feed while it adjusts to its’

new home.new home. Do not change Do not change

amounts quickly.amounts quickly. Provide clean water.Provide clean water.

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Vaccinate your animalsVaccinate your animals Learn what diseases are common in your area.Learn what diseases are common in your area. Check with the producer to see what vaccinations Check with the producer to see what vaccinations

your animal has received. your animal has received. Administer booster shots as needed.Administer booster shots as needed.

2-18-20082-18-2008

Monitor your animal’s healthMonitor your animal’s health Know what signs and symptoms to look for.Know what signs and symptoms to look for.

Example: “shipping fever” or pneumoniaExample: “shipping fever” or pneumonia

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Monitor your animal’s healthMonitor your animal’s health

Develop a routine for checking your animalDevelop a routine for checking your animal

If your animal doesn’t come for feed, If your animal doesn’t come for feed,

don’t ignore it… don’t ignore it… check on itcheck on it!!

If your animal acts unusual, If your animal acts unusual,

don’t ignore it… don’t ignore it… check on itcheck on it!!

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Look at your animal!Look at your animal! Check their feed and water regularly.Check their feed and water regularly. Don’t wait till “Saturday” to do something Don’t wait till “Saturday” to do something

about a potential problem.about a potential problem. It might be too late!It might be too late!

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Be preparedBe prepared Learn what your animal’s normal temperature Learn what your animal’s normal temperature

should be.should be. Have a rectal thermometer and know how it Have a rectal thermometer and know how it

should be used.should be used. Know who you will contact if your animal is Know who you will contact if your animal is

really sick. really sick.

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Veterinary Practices LawVeterinary Practices Law In Oregon it is illegal for someone other than a In Oregon it is illegal for someone other than a

licensed veterinarian to diagnose and treat another licensed veterinarian to diagnose and treat another person’s animal. person’s animal.

This includes 4-H Leaders and friends.This includes 4-H Leaders and friends. It is punishable with a fine.It is punishable with a fine.

Individual’s may diagnose and treat Individual’s may diagnose and treat their own animals.their own animals.

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

When treatment is necessary:When treatment is necessary: Administer it as directedAdminister it as directed

Use correct methodUse correct method Example: sub-cutaneous or intramuscular injectionExample: sub-cutaneous or intramuscular injection

Follow the timelineFollow the timeline Example: administer every 48 hoursExample: administer every 48 hours

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

When treatment is necessary:When treatment is necessary: Administer it as directedAdminister it as directed

Use the product only as directed Use the product only as directed By your veterinarian By your veterinarian According to the label instructionsAccording to the label instructions Avoid “Meat Animal Drug. Avoid “Meat Animal Drug.

Withdrawal” violations.Withdrawal” violations. Avoid show rule violations.Avoid show rule violations.

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Develop a parasite prevention planDevelop a parasite prevention plan Learn what parasites are problems for your area Learn what parasites are problems for your area

and type of animal.and type of animal. Monitor for parasites.Monitor for parasites.

Example: take fecal samplesExample: take fecal samples Develop a scheduleDevelop a schedule

Observe “Meat Animal Observe “Meat Animal

Drug Withdrawal” Drug Withdrawal”

periods.periods.

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Preventing diseases is better than treating themPreventing diseases is better than treating them Generally less costlyGenerally less costly And more successfulAnd more successful

Animals that are sick tend to go “off feed” and Animals that are sick tend to go “off feed” and don’t gain weight.don’t gain weight.

Some never completely Some never completely

recover.recover. Some die!Some die!

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Tame your animalTame your animal Calm animals are healthier.Calm animals are healthier.

Reduce stressReduce stress Reduce diseaseReduce disease

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Tame your animalTame your animal Hand feeding may be a better choice than using Hand feeding may be a better choice than using

an automatic feeder.an automatic feeder. Halter break animals early.Halter break animals early. Brush or scratch them often.Brush or scratch them often.

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Livestock HealthyKeeping Livestock Healthy

Keep facilities clean Keep facilities clean Clean waterClean water

Help prevent coccidiosis – keep feces out of water.Help prevent coccidiosis – keep feces out of water. Clean feedClean feed

Help prevent worms.Help prevent worms. Clean penClean pen

Help reduce pathogens.Help reduce pathogens. Clean airClean air

Help reduce respiratory infections.Help reduce respiratory infections.

2-18-20082-18-2008

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

2-18-20082-18-2008

Keeping Your 4-H Market Keeping Your 4-H Market Animals HealthyAnimals Healthy

Available at:Available at:

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/4h/4-h140.pdfhttp://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/4h/4-h140.pdf