Infections from tagging sheep…
Causes, Factors & Solutions
Option 3
Apply SuperLube (p. 49) antibiotic gel to the tag
before insertion. It contains chlorhexidine—which
acts by killing many of the microorganisms present.
Option 2
Spray a mixture of Triodine-7 (p. 51) and Pine Tar
(p. 67) between the tag and ear to repel flies and
disinfect the wound.
Note: Iodine and Pine Tar leave
a dark stain on tags.
We apologize if the above photos are disturbing. However, they are real.
By using them we hope to encourage shepherds to reduce the risk of infection.
Option 1
Our preferred solution. We use a Chloradine™ (p. 61)
dilution in a spray bottle for the antiseptic and follow
with fly repellent, Catron™ IV (pp. 61, 67).
Q. How can I reduce the risk of infected
ears from tagging?
A.
1. Tag them as lambs or kids.
2. Don’t insert tags in “fly/gnat seasons.”
3. If you live in a humid climate, tag in
the winter.
4. Don’t place tags close to the skull.
5. Tag when the ear is dry and clean.
6. Use smaller tags.
7. Avoid metal or round tags.
8. Apply an antibiotic, a fly repellent or
a disinfectant to the ear tissue or tag
(Options 1-3 above)
.
Q. The risk—how serious is it?
A.
Can be very serious. If not “caught”
quickly it can disfigure a sheep for life
or may force it to be culled early.
Q. How often does it occur?
A.
Seldom in dry areas of the West and
Southwest. Too often in humid areas.
Q. Have we had tags cause infection
at Premier?
A.
Mild infections in the week after
tagging is more common than most
think. But you have to look closely to
see it. It usually heals on its own.
However, serious infections have
occurred here in two instances:
a. In July 2003 after inserting 5
brands of RFID tags in adult sheep.
b. In 2008 during a trial with 2
different tags inserted in 400
adults and feeder lambs in a
humid May and June. Lambs were
minimally affected. Adults were
badly affected. Both groups were
on grass.
Common factors: Adult sheep and SE Iowa’s
summer heat and humidity.
Q. Does the brand of tag matter?
A.
Not if the tag design is similar. At a
major sheep show we observed mild
infection with most tag brands.
Q. Does tag type (metal vs round vs
leaf/flag-shaped) make a difference?
A.
All things being equal (but they rarely
are), designs that allow more air near
the wound will produce less infection.
That’s why we avoid round and
metal tags when it’s possible to do so.
An infected ear.
And another…
A good result.
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