I have a sheep that developed a cough and I thought she'd get better once she finally got out into the fresh air. We had to make a new pasture and that had to stay in the barn until then. Anyway, I have some Naxcel antibiotic that the vet gave me for my piglets and I was wondering if I should give a few doses to the sheep. Does anyone have any suggestions? I know I can always call the vet but I hate to call if it's something I can take care of myself. Thanks for any input.

-- Missy Erving (ervings@ctel.net), June 30, 2000

Answers

missy, call your vet. some medicines or doses cannot be given to different animals. our vet will let us go in with description of symptoms so they dont have to make a house call, then give us antibiotic to put in water or shot form. just attended a local extension meeting on this subject, i didnt know that some medicines can't or shouldnt be given to certain animals. best to be safe than sorry. good luck!!

-- cheryl pickering (pick6@bright.net), July 01, 2000.

Missy, this could be a chronic condition, like heaves in horses. Has she gotten any better as she's been out in the pasture? It could also be worms. I don't know if Naxcel can be used on sheep, nor do I think that this is something for antibiotics anyway. Might not hurt to talk to your vet, especially if this is worms or something that could spread, you'll want to get it stopped. Geribl

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), July 03, 2000.

The sheep could have worms ...check it out, when ours start coughing that's what it usually is - worms.

-- kelly (kellytree@hotmail.com), July 04, 2000.

Ivomec and LA 200 should ALWAYS be in your medicine closet to use on sheep. We use cattle oral Ivomec drench, we give 2 ccs orally for worms and if one of the sheep is looking down, coughing and having trouble breathing, we treat them with 4.5 mls per hundred pounds of LA 200. Caine veterinary institute, here in Idaho, swears by those two for sheep. We also always have Probios on hand to use when one of the sheep get sick. We are, however, really hads on with our sheep, and then to watch closely and medicate early when there is even a chance of something going wrong. You want to make the acquaintance of a good vet who works with theep. However, you may find, as we have, that vets don't generally "do" sheep, they're more interested in cows and horses, and really don't like to work with an animal whose favorite occupation is trying to die.

Good luck!

-- Ann Zavala (annzavala@excite.com), July 04, 2000.