The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Russpig on September 17, 2017, 09:10:19 pm
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Just looking to stock up on the general antibiotics etc for coming winter and lambing time after.
Looking for opinions on the best antibiotic to have at the ready, pen and strep any good?
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The sensible thing would be to discuss with your vet and work out a health plan and they should advise you on the best meds to keep in stock. Will depend if you need cover for lambing intervention etc.
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As Melmarsh says. You need a prescription for antibiotics anyway, and your vets would want to be sure you understood how and which to use. Just buying something which may be suitable, just in case you need it, isn't really a responsible approach. Antibiotics are specific, and their improper use is what can lead to the major problem of bugs which are resistant to all AntiBs. So Pen and Strep would be useful in some cases, but in others Oxytetracycline would be appropriate, and in other cases no antibiotic would be needed. Until you know more you need to rely on your vet for advice and help.
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As above- you need to speak to your vet, plus there's not much point stocking up unless you're coming to a busy time i.e. lambing- antibiotics go out of date, some very quickly after opening.
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It will help to rely on your vet's advice for antibiotics. If you're likely to be cut off by snow during lambing then ask which they'd recommend to have on standby for that, too.
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I always make sure I have a bottle of LA antibiotic and some metacam before I start lambing. Would depend on how many sheep you have as no point having a whole bottle for one or two sheep. Also use Alamycin for foot problems (which thankfully not had for ages)
Combivit also useful to have as can be given to anything looking 'off'.