[woollyval]

OK....you say you are organic....
Does this mean to you that you don't worm, nor vaccinate etc? The reason I ask is that some folks think organic is no wormers etc.
Are the animals you are losing good healthy plump sheep that are almost dropping dead? Are you handling them regularly to condition score?
Have they scoured prior to going down hill?

Now a sheep is a prey animal and often is ill for a long time before collapse occurs....and once collapse occurs the chances of saving the sheep is not good...

I am wondering if it is something obvious like fluke or something similar and the condition of the sheep is not being noticed due to a good woolly covering?

Unlikely to be poison as sheep don't drink much.....have you access to good grass and do you rotate?

I believe you are in my neck of the woods so after first consulting the vet, if you want me to come and have a look please let me know

[lachlanandmarcus]

You will honestly be surprised by how much cheaper vet rates are for farm animals in comparison to dogs and horses and cats. Vets for all they are castigated for their rates do try to keep the farm animal costs down, Im sure the pet animal rates partly subsidise this and I think thats a good thing as a healthy food supply free from disease and suffering is critical for the nation, and there arent the PDSAs for struggling livestock owners.

Do pick up the phone tho, you will save money if it saves the rest of the flock and if you can get the sheep to them it should be even cheaper.

If I ever have to call out the vet to a sheep I know thats the value of that animal gone, but that's how it works with livestock. The flip side is that if the animal recovers well (eg had one with twin lamb disease), they are fattened and sent off that year as I cant afford repeat offenders!

[rbarlo32]

we just had the vet out to give our stud pony his second injection. whilst he was coing out we had him castrate two rams that were ment for meat but we will keep on for another year. the cost will not be more than 60 quid. the most expensive bit is the vaccine. if the sheep is that sick it need putting down anyway.

[morri2]

rbarlo32 - where do you live?? - I want to register with your vet.  I've never yet had a bill under £80, and that was for attending just one sheep on site.  The average is £100 per visit with the treatments.  It is at least £20 cheaper to take the animal to the surgery though.

Worzel, I would firstly make a phone call to your vet surgery and ask to speak directly to a vet.  Explain the symptoms and see if they can give you any guidance over the phone.  If you have to take a sheep to the surgery then at least it will get things sorted out.  If you lose the third sheep, definitely take for a PM as suggested earlier as - even though my vet appears to be quite expensive, it should only cost around £30 plus the cost of disposal at whatever rate your local animal disposal firm charge.  Keep us posted! 

[rbarlo32]

the last visit was 50 odd for vaccine, antibiotics and eye cream. the pony pick up a bug on the way up. we were charged 20 and 30 odd for visits to treat one sheep and put a lamb down a couple of years ago. we had to visit the vet this spring with a sick lamb two out of hours visits cost 50 odd for both one with a minor op. we are lucky as they are the only vets up here.
the most expensive was a gelding op at £120. our vets are excellent.

[SteveHants]

I'm in Hampshire and the standard call-out fee her is 60 quid - plus you pay for medication.

[rbarlo32]

i think our vets come under the highland and island vets scheame. so it would explain the cheaper prices i am not complaining.