Wrestle Mania: Ewe Edition

Molly is such a lovely girl. 
She was very obliging and loves a good cuddle.

About six weeks before an ewe gives birth, a prudent sheep farmer will give her a CDT shot to help her build immunity to clostridial diseases.  The intent is that she will pass this immunity along to her lambs until they are old enough to be vaccinated themselves.

"Enterotoxemia, or overeating disease, is a major cause of death of kids and lambs from shortly after birth through the entire feeding period. It is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium perfringens. It is characterized by acute indigestion, convulsions and other nervous system signs such as colic and sudden death. It commonly affects single kids and lambs, nursing dams that are heavy milkers, and feeder animals that are on high energy diets...

Tetanus is a common, fatal disease in sheep and goats caused by a bacterium known as Clostridium tetani. Common symptoms are muscle stiffness and spasms, bloat, panic, uncoordinated walking, and/or the inability to eat and drink. It is sometimes referred to as lockjaw. Death is inevitable, usually about three or four days after symptoms appear.

Clostridial diseases are often fatal and strike ruminant livestock suddenly, often causing a mysterious death without any clinical signs. The clostridia bacteria are widespread in the environment. They are normally found in the soil and manure. They are also present in the digestive tract and tissues of healthy animals. For these reasons, vaccination is the best way to prevent disease outbreaks. CDT vaccination helps to protect healthy sheep and goats against Clostridium perfringens type C and D (overeating disease) and Clostridium tetani (tetanus)." (Metzger, M., 2016)

As much as we all agree that immunizing pregnant ewes is a good idea, actually doing it is easier said than done.  First, you need to catch the ewe.  They are fantastic escape artists.  Upon catching her, you need to flip the ewe on her back.  They are pregnant.  They are large and heavy (don't tell them I said that).  This is not easy.  Then you need to hold them still while you pinch them and inject the vaccine beneath the skin but not intramuscularly.  Believe me,  this is a challenge.

Violet does not appreciate being tackled and (wo)manhandled.
Luckily I am game for a ewe wrestling match.
I won.

 The best thing about vaccinating pregnant ewes is that you get to have a good look at their bulging baby bellies and their developing udders which are usually well hidden under their vast amount of woolly fleece.  So exciting!  Spring lambs are indeed in the oven - not that oven...geesh!  Oh, who are we kidding - roast lamb is so very delicious.

Look at that udder! Just gorgeous.

Works Cited

Metzger, Mike. CDT Vaccinations for sheep and goats.  Michigan State University Extension. August 2, 2016. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/cdt_vaccinations_for_sheep_and_goats