46 



SHEEP 



SHEEP SCAB MITE 



Greatly enlarged 

 (Salmon & Stiles 1898) 



SCAB 



This disease, due to a true parasite, is by 

 no means prevalent in this country. Un- 

 fortunateh', sheep infected with this mite 

 are sometimes imported into the flock. 



This mite is exceedingly small and is best 

 seen through a low power microscope. The 

 mite irritates the skin, setting up an in- 

 flammation which causes an intense itching 

 resulting in consequent rubbing and a great 



loss of wool . The 

 constant itching 

 prevents the ani- 

 mal from feed- 

 ing, as a result of 

 which the health 

 soon becomes 

 impaired and 

 death follows. 

 The wool comes 

 out in patches, 

 leaving a scaly, 

 parchmentlike 

 condition of the 

 skin. Sheep fre- 

 quently lose 

 their wool in 

 patches by being 

 confined in warm 

 quarters, but in 

 this case the skin is clean and pliable. 



Any suspicion of its existence, especially 

 when new animals 

 have lately been 

 introduced into the 

 flock, should at 

 once be reported to 

 the state authori- 

 ties. 



Other ailments 

 to which the domes- 

 tie animal is liable 

 such as lung and 

 intestinal troubles, 

 do not seem to be 

 as prevalent in 

 sheep. 



Sheep should at 

 all times have ac- 

 cess to clean, cold 

 water and plenty of it. Change the water 

 in their drinking troughs every day. In 

 winter when snow is on the ground they 

 rarely drink, their thirst lacing satisfied 

 with snow. 



Sheep thrive best on upland hay and a 

 small quantity of oats can be given the 

 breeding ewes. At lambing time, ewes 

 should be watched very closely, as it seems 

 a change of weather generally brings some 



lambs, that without proper attention would 

 perish. The udder should bje examined to 

 see that the teats are not clogged with wax. 

 The winter quarters should not be warm ; 

 in fact, about all that is necessary is shelter. 



SHEEP LOUSE 



Enlarged 



(G. Neuman 1892) 



SHEEP FOOT LOUSE 



Female and Egg 



(Osborne 1896) 



Attention should be paid to the feet and 

 all flock owners should have a pair of hoof 

 clippers. In wet seasons the toes grow rap- 

 idly and require frequent trimming. In 

 addition a pot of Stockholm tar should be 

 kept on hand. This can be used to great 

 advantage on cuts, and smeared over the 

 nostrils in cases of cold and during the fly 

 season. 



Any condition which causes the sheep to 

 bite and scratch should be investigated at 

 once and the cause definitely learned. Scab 

 on certain parts of the sheep's body may 

 be overlooked. It is usually found on the 

 back or sides, but may start on any part 

 of the body. 



SHEEP TICK 



Dorsal view — enlarged 



(Curtice 1890) 



IMPORTED COTSWOLD EWES 



