9 / 108
Infections from tagging sheep
Causes, Factors & Solutions
Option 3 Apply SuperLube™ (p. 91) 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. 93) and Pine Tar (pp. 46, 53) between the tag and ear to repel flies and disinfect the wound. Option 1 Our preferred solution. We use a Chloradine™ (p. 46) dilution in a spray bottle for the antiseptic and follow with fly repellent, Catron® IV (pp. 46, 53).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 season.
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
and/or a disinfectant to the ear
tissue or tag
(Options 1-3 below)
.
Q. The risk—how serious is it?
A.
Can be very serious. If not caught
quickly it can disfigure a sheep for
life
.
May force it to be culled early.
Q. Have we had tag infections?
A.
Mild infections the week after
tagging are more common than
most think. You have to look closely
to see it. It usually heals on its own.
However, serious infections have
occurred here in 2 instances:
a. 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. How often does it occur?
A.
Seldom in dry areas and seasons.
Too often in humid months.
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) matter?
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.
For more information go to premier1supplies.com/downloads and click “Instructions-Ear Tag & Applicators”Solutions
Note: Iodine and Pine Tar leave a dark stain on tags.We apologize if the above photos are disturbing. However, they are real.
By showing them we hope to encourage shepherds to reduce the risk of infection.
premier1supplies.com • 1-800-282-663109