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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 17
Mucus membranes:
If the weather has been cold and windy a little clear fluid may discharge from the eyes or nose and is of little consequence, however, if weather conditions are other than this the animal should not have a discharge from either the eyes or nose. If the discharge is crusty, pussy or if there is excessive slobbering or frothing around the mouth do not entertain its purchase. There should never be a runny discharge emitting from the ears!
Respiration:
Check to see if its respiration is easy and steady, it should not be panting or breathing heavily. If they were chased, then let them rest for about 20 minutes before checking them. If they show signs of coughing or wheezing this is a warning that they have a real problem
Fleece:
A sheep's wool should be shiny and even. When its coat is clumpy, or has bald spots it could indicate that it has been subject to poor nutrition, illness or external parasites. Check the fleece with your hands around the neck and look for signs of sheep ticks or keds which is a brown, flat wingless fly. If manure is caked on the wool around the rump, backs of hind legs this is an indication that the animal is suffering from an illness known as "scours" in other words form of diarrhea, and is not a problem to be dealt with lightly.
Feet:
Examine the feet for signs of foot rot. If a sheep has foot rot then it also might have been affected by flies that lay their eggs and emerge as maggots and screwworms. Also, check the hooves and see that they are not overgrown. If you are set on buying the animal, ask the owner to trim the hoof while you watch. Needless to say, the legs should move easily with neither sign of lameness nor stiffness.
Skin:
Check to see if there are any rashes or wounds that have not healed. Turn the animal up into a sitting position, like the one for shearing, and inspect its belly, areas around the udder or scrotum. Any sheep with such disorders is not a good buy. If it has been wounded the signs of infection are hot, red areas around it and it may drain pus. Another problem occurs during the fly season when flies lay their eggs in the wool and thereafter maggots or screwworms emerge. However, if the wound appears to be healing normally, the animal is still open for consideration.
Health Records:
Don't forget to ask to see the health records for the animal/animals you intend to purchase.
All of these subjects will be discussed in detail later on in the book.
If the weather has been cold and windy a little clear fluid may discharge from the eyes or nose and is of little consequence, however, if weather conditions are other than this the animal should not have a discharge from either the eyes or nose. If the discharge is crusty, pussy or if there is excessive slobbering or frothing around the mouth do not entertain its purchase. There should never be a runny discharge emitting from the ears!
Respiration:
Check to see if its respiration is easy and steady, it should not be panting or breathing heavily. If they were chased, then let them rest for about 20 minutes before checking them. If they show signs of coughing or wheezing this is a warning that they have a real problem
Fleece:
A sheep's wool should be shiny and even. When its coat is clumpy, or has bald spots it could indicate that it has been subject to poor nutrition, illness or external parasites. Check the fleece with your hands around the neck and look for signs of sheep ticks or keds which is a brown, flat wingless fly. If manure is caked on the wool around the rump, backs of hind legs this is an indication that the animal is suffering from an illness known as "scours" in other words form of diarrhea, and is not a problem to be dealt with lightly.
Feet:
Examine the feet for signs of foot rot. If a sheep has foot rot then it also might have been affected by flies that lay their eggs and emerge as maggots and screwworms. Also, check the hooves and see that they are not overgrown. If you are set on buying the animal, ask the owner to trim the hoof while you watch. Needless to say, the legs should move easily with neither sign of lameness nor stiffness.
Skin:
Check to see if there are any rashes or wounds that have not healed. Turn the animal up into a sitting position, like the one for shearing, and inspect its belly, areas around the udder or scrotum. Any sheep with such disorders is not a good buy. If it has been wounded the signs of infection are hot, red areas around it and it may drain pus. Another problem occurs during the fly season when flies lay their eggs in the wool and thereafter maggots or screwworms emerge. However, if the wound appears to be healing normally, the animal is still open for consideration.
Health Records:
Don't forget to ask to see the health records for the animal/animals you intend to purchase.
All of these subjects will be discussed in detail later on in the book.