Overview
Millions of lambs and ewes die each year during the lambing season. The reasons behind this high level of perinatal mortality are not easily explained and problems that do arise may be difficult to predict.This fully revised new edition of Practical Lambing and Lamb Care attempts to unravel this complex subject by providing practical guidance and information on all aspects of lambing and lamb care. It covers the major diseases and problems in lambs, from poisoning to foot and mouth disease, and includes chapters on the health of the ewe (including abortion issues), preventative methods, lambing techniques and also considers animal welfare issues.
- A first aid manual for all sheep farmers and veterinary students, with essential information on improving lamb mortality and avoiding stress at lambing time
- New material on zoonotic infections, handling and storage of drugs, flock health plans, and considerations for organic producers
- Lots of colour photographs to aid in the diagnosis, treatment and management of disease
Synopsis
Millions of lambs and ewes die each year during the lambing season. The reasons behind this high level of perinatal mortality are not easily explained and problems that do arise may be difficult to predict.
This fully revised new edition of Practical Lambing and Lamb Care attempts to unravel this complex subject by providing practical guidance and information on all aspects of lambing and lamb care. It covers the major diseases and problems in lambs, from poisoning to foot and mouth disease, and includes chapters on the health of the ewe (including abortion issues), preventative methods, lambing techniques and also considers animal welfare issues.
- A first aid manual for all sheep farmers and veterinary students, with essential information on improving lamb mortality and avoiding stress at lambing time
- New material on zoonotic infections, handling and storage of drugs, flock health plans, and considerations for organic producers
- Lots of colour photographs to aid in the diagnosis, treatment and management of disease
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Clifford Fred Shipley, DVM(University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)
Description:This is the third edition of a guide for the lay person, animal science and veterinary student in providing care and management of the ewe and lamb from conception to weaning. The previous edition was published in 1993.
Purpose:The purpose is to serve as a reference for those involved in the care of lambing ewes and newborn lambs. The high neonatal losses associated with lambing and the subsequent economic and welfare aspects associated with those losses make this a worthy objective. The book does an excellent job in achieving its goal for the intended audience.
Audience:It is written primarily for the shepherd, student, manager or lay person who is interested in sheep. The authors have done a very good job in putting together a book that is easy to read, understand and locate the information for any problem from dystocia to euthanasia. The authors are widely recognized as experts in the field and bring practical experience to the endeavor.
Features:The book covers all aspects of lambing and lamb management, including diseases of sheep, dystocias, routine procedures, and all other practical aspects that go with raising healthy sheep. My favorite part of the book is the practical advice that the shepherd can glean from the book for immediate application to his flock. Detailed drawings of lamb warming boxes and how to tube feed a lamb will be especially helpful to producers and students alike. The color pictures are especially nice, but are repeats of the black-and-white pictures used in the section where the disease or condition is discussed. The only shortcoming is lack of dosages or medicaments to treat certain diseases. I realize that the author intends for lay readers to contact their veterinarians (and I concur) for treatments, however, many lay people buying the book in the U.S. may be disappointed at the lack of detail. Some may consider the U.K. slant to be a shortcoming, but I found it interesting and it broadened my world sheep perspective.
Assessment:The third edition offers updates on a variety of subjects and makes the book very current and useful. I do not find it as valuable as my veterinary references, but that is not the intent. The book is very well put together, covers its subject well and would be a valuable reference for the shepherd or student.
Editorials
Reviewer: Clifford Fred Shipley, DVM(University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)
Description: This is the third edition of a guide for the lay person, animal science and veterinary student in providing care and management of the ewe and lamb from conception to weaning. The previous edition was published in 1993.
Purpose: The purpose is to serve as a reference for those involved in the care of lambing ewes and newborn lambs. The high neonatal losses associated with lambing and the subsequent economic and welfare aspects associated with those losses make this a worthy objective. The book does an excellent job in achieving its goal for the intended audience.
Audience: It is written primarily for the shepherd, student, manager or lay person who is interested in sheep. The authors have done a very good job in putting together a book that is easy to read, understand and locate the information for any problem from dystocia to euthanasia. The authors are widely recognized as experts in the field and bring practical experience to the endeavor.
Features: The book covers all aspects of lambing and lamb management, including diseases of sheep, dystocias, routine procedures, and all other practical aspects that go with raising healthy sheep. My favorite part of the book is the practical advice that the shepherd can glean from the book for immediate application to his flock. Detailed drawings of lamb warming boxes and how to tube feed a lamb will be especially helpful to producers and students alike. The color pictures are especially nice, but are repeats of the black-and-white pictures used in the section where the disease or condition is discussed. The only shortcoming is lack of dosages or medicaments to treat certain diseases. I realize that the author intends for lay readers to contact their veterinarians (and I concur) for treatments, however, many lay people buying the book in the U.S. may be disappointed at the lack of detail. Some may consider the U.K. slant to be a shortcoming, but I found it interesting and it broadened my world sheep perspective.
Assessment: The third edition offers updates on a variety of subjects and makes the book very current and useful. I do not find it as valuable as my veterinary references, but that is not the intent. The book is very well put together, covers its subject well and would be a valuable reference for the shepherd or student.
From the Publisher
"This book is a revised edition that provides practical guidance and information on aspects of lambing and lamb care. It covers the major diseases and problems seen in lambs and includes chapters on ewe health, including abortion issues, preventitive methods, lambing techniques and animal welfare issues. There is new information on zoonotic infections, the handling and storage of drugs, flock health plans and consideration for organic producsers.This book would be of interest to animal producers, veterinarians and veterinary and agricultural students.
CAB Abstracts, 2005
"The inclusion of simple diagrams and clear instruction make this a useful reference for those caring for sheep as well as students."
"The book is easy to read, well laid out and would be a useful reference book for those caring for sheep."
Irish Veterinary Journal, 2005
"All sheep practices should have a copy and advise their sheep clients like-wise. If the information within this book were implemented on all sheep enterprises, the welfare of lambs would be significantly improved."
Veterinary Record, 2005