Guide B-127
Marcy Ward, Shad Cox, and John Wenzel
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University
Respectively, Extension Livestock Specialist, Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources; Superintendent, Corona Range and Livestock Research Center; and Extension Veterinarian, Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, New Mexico State University. (Print Friendly PDF)
Most livestock vaccine and health management protocols revolve around the animal’s stage of production. For sheep and goats, it is recommended to vaccinate prior to lambing, weaning, and breeding. The purpose of this publication is to offer a guide in establishing a health management schedule. Every operation is unique, and it is therefore imperative that producers consult with their veterinarian before establishing a specific vaccination and health protocol.
Table 1 provides information on vaccine timing, recommended and optional vaccines, and covered diseases.
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Table 1. Recommended Vaccine and Health Management Schedule for Sheep and Goats |
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Stage of production |
Timing |
Recommended vaccines/health management |
Diseases covered |
Optional vaccines* |
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Pregnant sheep and goats
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2–4 weeks prior to lambing or kidding |
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Clostridium perfringens types C and D and tetanus Keds and lice in sheep |
|
|
Kid goats
© hotservis | Pixabay.com |
At lambing or kidding |
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Prevents internal parasite |
SE/vitamin E can help prevent white muscle disease |
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New lambs
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Lambs 2 weeks of age |
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300 I.U. tetanus antitoxin, if dam was not vaccinated during gestation |
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30 days after lambing or kidding. Booster at 45 days (2 weeks later). |
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Enterotoxemia |
Ovine ecthyma for soremouth |
|
|
Ewes and does
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60–30 days |
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Vibriosis (late-term abortions) Chlamydia (late-term abortions; vaccine can be used in both sheep and goats) Eight clostridial strain CL, a contagious bacterial disease that causes skin lesions and abscesses |
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|
Bucks and rams
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30–60 days |
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Eight clostridial strain bacterial diseases Prevents parasite infestation |
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Things to Consider
- Read all labels carefully before administering vaccines or other treatments.
- For optimal parasite control, a fecal egg count should be done to assess level of infestation, and may determine potential anthelmintic resistance. Your veterinarian can assist you with this process.
- When treating for parasites, it is now recommended that you remain consistent with your de-worming protocol. The key is to get the appropriate dose per animal. Animals that are under-dosed have an increased risk of becoming anthelmintic-resistant.
- In arid regions, worming may only be required once a year.
- For external parasites like keds and ticks, topical permethrin-based products work well.
- Caution: Avoid applying to dairy goats. Zeta-cypermethrin products can be used as an alternative.
- Depending on weather and level of infestation, a second dose may be needed two weeks later to sufficiently treat the animals.
- Ewe lambs and doelings will require an additional dose (total of three) of both Campylobacter and Chlamydia vaccines to ensure full protection prior to their first breeding season.
- Older sheep and goats who have been properly vaccinated as young animals should only require annual vaccines covering the clostridial (i.e., 8-way) and anti-abortive vaccines (i.e., Vibrio).
- Clostridial vaccines can be highly reactive at the vaccination site. To reduce blemishes, use clean, high-gauge needles (18 g) and subcutaneous administration techniques.
To learn more about parasite management, refer to NMSU Extension Guide B-112, Guide for Control of External Parasites of Sheep and Goats (https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_b/B112/).
Figure 1. An example animal health protocol with corresponding schedule in a farm flock situation.
Figure 2. An example animal health protocol with corresponding schedule for sheep and goats on range.
List of Table Photo Credits
Photo of pregnant doe: © Alex Dawson | Flickr
Photo of kid goats: © hotservis | Pixabay.com
Photo of new lambs: © Paul Chamberlain | Flickr
Photo of ewes: © Arbutus | Flickr
References
Hines, M.E. 2013. Enterotoxemia in sheep and goats. University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved June 4, 2018, from https://vet.uga.edu/news/view/enterotoxemia_in_sheep_and_goats
Odendaal, M.W., and N.P.J. Kriek. 2004. Tetanus. In J.A.W. Coetzer and R.C. Tustin (Eds.), Infectious Diseases of Livestock, vol. 3 (pp. 1878–1884). Oxford University Press.
Scott, P.R. 2018. Pasteurella and Mannheimia pneumonias in sheep and goats. Merck Veterinary Manual. Retrieved May 1, 2018, from https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-sheep-and-goats/pasteurella-and-mannheimia-pneumonias-in-sheep-and-goats
For Further Reading
B-112: Guide for Control of External Parasites of Sheep and Goats
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_b/B112/
CR-604: Sheep Production and Management
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_circulars/CR604/
CR-685: Sheep Nutrition
https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_circulars/CR685/
Marcy Ward Marcy Ward is the Extension Livestock Specialist at NMSU. She received her B.S. and M.S. in animal science from Colorado State University and NMSU, respectively, and her Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition from North Dakota State University. She was most recently the Beef Program Director at Colby Community College in Colby, KS.
To find more resources for your business, home, or family, visit the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences on the World Wide Web at pubs.nmsu.edu.
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May 2020 Las Cruces, NM
