[Chris H]

Been noticing this jab in a few threds on the site, why and when?
Sheep! everytime I think I have an idea it gets blown away!!!

[Bionic]

Hi Chris,
I have just done mine for the first time so its all new to me as well. But this is what I have read on line.
Heptavac P Plus sheep and lamb vaccine for the active immunisation of sheep as an aid in the control of lamb dysentery, pulpy kidney, struck, tetanus, braxy, blackleg, black disease and clostridial metritis caused by the above listed organisms. An opaque fluid vaccine combined 7 in 1 clostridial plus pasteurella vaccine
My understanding is that you give it 4-6 weeks before the ewes are due to lamb and that in turn is passed on through the ewe to the lambs. The lambs then need to be done themselves. I think thats about 3 weeks after birth although still need to read up to confirm. They need a second dose which I think is about 6 weeks later. After that they just need one booster a year so my one ewe that isn't expecting got a jab at the same time as my mums to be.
Don't take my word as gosple though as I am still learning. Someone with more experience will confirm or deny I am sure.
Sally
 

[goosepimple]

It's important to give the double dose for first-timers - the second of the double should be 4-6 weeks after the first.  This is called 'priming' them - the second dose has quite an exaggerated effect - much moreso than the first injection.  I've just been giong over this with my vet - if you're going to give anything to sheep Hep is the one which will cover so many likelyhoods.

[Chris H]

I take it by the name it's an injection? having not done this before is it best to get the vet to show me and do it for the first time? I have no one local with sheep to help! I have 4 ewes due at the end of March so now would be the time I assume.
 

[Rosemary]

You're probably a wee bit late - the second jab should be 4 weeks before lambing.

I think you would be able to do the ewes and lambs together with a double dose after lambing. The instructions say that lambs should get the first of their two doses not less than three weeks after birth BUT this applies to lambs born of mothers in the Heptavac system - an earlier dose will compromise the passive immunity that the lambs get from their mothers. But in your case, if the ewes aren't done, they have no immunity to pass on, so you should be able to do the lambs (and ewes) earlier.

I'd run it past your vet as to how early you can vaccinate lambs.

[Bionic]

Chris, I have 4 ewes that are pregnant and one who isn't. I did mine for the first time last week. Luckily Linda (backinwellies) has experience and lives fairly close by so she came to show me how. Actually it wasn't too difficult and I would feel fairly confident next time.
If you feel as I did then I think it would help for the vet to show you the first time. After that there will be no stopping you   

[Chris H]

There seems such a lot to learn with sheep! I am sorry if I have left it late, kicking myself not to have read up on this before, did the foot trim and fluke/worm drench 2 weeks ago and was feeling smug to have got that done . We are half way to completing the sheep shelter so they can lamb inside, and have fenced the burn for lamb safety................they may well be the death of me   Hope that injections after lambing will not risk the ewes or lambs health?

[Rosemary]

First year's the worst - once you get your annual timetable in place, it's a case of refining it over the years 

[Chris H]

You assume my brain can take all this in

[Bionic]

Chris, I know exactly how you feel

[Beeducked]

Where are you?


I'm doing mine next week and will have more than I need. I'm near Shrewsbury.

[goosepimple]

Yes Chris/Bionic, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with what I should and shouldn't be doing - I emailed that to my vet and he kindly called round on his way to a neighbouring farm to help sort me out.  I learned so much in just one half hour conversation, great.
 
Just one point, the first time we did the Hep injection, I bought the Hep and a needle / tube system from our local farm supply shop.  The man behind the desk gave me a cattle needle which is thicker than a sheep needle - there are different thicknesses for different stock - again your vets can give you the right size.  There's not a huge difference in the thickness but I'm sure the sheep would tell you otherwise 

[Chris H]

Thanks Beeducked, but I am on the Isle of lewis!
I will have a chat with my vet to see what is best, I assume I am to late to inject the ewes before lambing, they are due anytime after the end of march. So will find out when I need to do afterwards.
I only plan to lamb this year and admit I will be pleased when it is over!

[Marches Farmer]

Vaccinating the ewe primes her system to produce antibodies quickly as it will recognise the diseases.  Giving a booster near to lambing makes her colostrum (first milk) full of antibodies.  In the first six hours these easily pass through the lambs' stomach wall and give it immunity.  After that the ability for it to absorb large proteins (antibodies) decreases until its no longer possible by 24 hours after birth.  The lambs also need colostrum because the brown fat they're born with and which keeps them warm will run out at about the same rate and they'll succumb to hypothermia.

Tim Tyne's book on sheep is recommended  ....