Hello there,
I hope this is an appropriate place to post this - someone do let me know if not!
My name's Zara, and I'm a final year veterinary student at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London. I'm posting here to advertise a questionnaire I have created, which is looking at recognition of diseases of the foot in sheep, and the methods selected by sheep farmers to treat them. The data I collect will form the basis of my final year dissertation, although I do hope that the research, when complete, may prove useful in the sheep farming and veterinary sectors also.
Although not from a farming background myself, on my journey through university I have gained a great interest in farm animal practice. I have a particular enthusiasm for small ruminants and their welfare, and believe that we should be paying as much attention to lameness in sheep as we currently do in cattle. I hope to continue pursuing these interests when I graduate next year.
I settled on directing my research project in this field after spending some time in several large animal practices. Lameness is, of course, a considerable problem in sheep farming, from the standpoints of both economics and welfare. However, when I discussed managing lameness in sheep whilst in practice, it seemed that many vets were of the general consensus that they aren't often presented with lame sheep, and hence don't always make it much of a priority in annual flock health planning. Thus, it must be assumed that farmers are taking on the vast majority of cases of lame sheep and treating affected animals themselves on farm.
Within the last few years, there has been a lot of newly published data relating to diseases of the feet in sheep, which has started to alter some of the thinking in the veterinary sphere as to how we should approach treating and managing these animals. I am interested in seeing whether the go-to methods used by those keeping sheep are reflective of current best known clinical practice.
Many vets proactively talk to their cattle farming clients about lameness, but far less so in sheep, and I am also interested in seeing whether more communication on this front could be similarly beneficial in recognising and treating lame sheep effectively.
The questionnaire takes around 15 minutes to complete and is formed of three sections. The first collects some basic details about the farm and flock. The second part contains two photographs, which asks respondents to identify the disease they believe to be present, and then to elaborate on the methods they would use to treat it were they to see it in their flock. The third section ascertains the level of veterinary involvement in lameness management in the flock, and what would prompt bringing in the vet.
Getting as many respondents as possible is key to this project's success, so hence I have made it my mission to distribute the online version as widely as I can! I have been in touch with several breed societies, who have already sent the link out to their members.
The greater variety of sheep farms that I collect in the responses, the better, as this will give me many variables to compare. Whether you have 3 sheep or 3000, breeds of all varieties, hobby or business - it's all welcome! The only requirements are that respondents are over 18 and reside in the UK, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands.
Please do feel free to drop me a message with any further questions if you have them.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DRQFDTV Thank you for your time!
Topic: Questionnaire: Foot Disease in Sheep (Read 5107 times)
