RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 197 



WOOL EATING 



CAUSE 



Wool eating is observed principally in winter, when sheep are 

 confined to close quarters. It is often a bad habit, which, when started 

 by one or more animals, is imitated by others. In other cases lack of 

 elements in the feed may cause the habit. 



SYMPTOMS 



Lambs begin by gnawing the wool of their mothers, usually on 

 the thighs and abdomen. Older sheep may select one animal and eat 

 all its wool before turning to another. Wool eating may become gen- 

 eral in the flock. A few lambs may become anemic, show digestive 

 disturbance, or even die as the result of the formation of wool balls 

 in a compartment of the stomach and the subsequent plugging of the 

 intestine. 



TREATMENT 



Wool eaters and their victims should be remo\ed from the flock. 

 Animals should be turned out for exercise, and nutritious feed should 

 be provided. 



