My name is Curtis VonAllman. I am 13 and
in the 8th grade at
I like the Youth Award Program because it starts people out at an early age understanding the importance of maintaining the purity of a Heritage Breed and preserving sheep breeds in general. The sheep the youth are awarded come from breeders that care about promoting the breed and are willing to advise and help through the care and maintenance of the breed. The program helps to motivate and give a jump-start to young people that enjoy working with sheep and are willing to promote and preserve their particular breed.
I decided on the Bluefaced Leicester because I read an article about them from The Blue News. I like that they don’t have horns, are docile, prolific sheep and of course, the blue-look face is very interesting.
My Bluefaced Leicester’s name is Penny and she is more than I hoped for. She is calm, easy to handle and seemed to be okay with people right from the beginning. Although, she had never been on a lead, not long after we got home she walked with one like she’d always done it. Also, the Bluefaced Leicester breed’s wool growth is naturally crotched and none grows on the underbelly. This makes it easy for lambs when they are born. They are known to be good mothers and hardy. Penny is even helping me halter break my market lamb.
I will be purchasing a ram this fall
from Brenda Lelli, the donor breeder of my Bluefaced Leicester ewe and also, the owner of Beechtree Farm in
Penny has made parade appearances and has more to come. She will show in my fair in open and breeding classes. In the year 2006 I plan to show Penny, her offspring and the Bluefaced Leicester ram as much as I can and certainly at State Fair. I also plan to go more into the uses of my breed’s wool with local spinners.
The Youth Conservationist Program is a really good thing. You get a start and advice from experienced, successful breeders. To the donor breeders, a BIG THANKS!!!
THE HEALTHY BLUE
MENINGEAL WORM
Meningeal worm is also known as the:
Deer worm or Brain
worm.
Organism: Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (P. tenuis)
Normal host: White tail deer (no ill effects)
Species affected: in order
of severity:
Elk & Moose- fatal
Llamas and goats – highly susceptible
Sheep- susceptible
Route of transmission: Grazing areas contaminated
with the intermediate host (slugs and snails) the L3 larvae within the snail migrate to the central nervous system (CNS) of the recently
infected host. P. tenuis migrates to the spinal canal causing various neurologic signs.
Signs & Symptoms: You should suspect P.
tenuis if you see a sheep that displays hindleg weakness, knuckling over, unsteadiness or wobbling gait, the inability to stand, or
vestibular syndrome (head tilt, etc..). Progression of symptoms for the disease can have slow or sudden onset. Most animals do not
appear to be in pain and most will maintain a healthy appetite.
Suggested treatment: Involves high doses of injectable Ivermectin
at the rate of 1cc/ 55 lbs (double the suggested cattle dose) for at least 3 days. Followed by double-the-dose of Fenbendazole (Panacur
or Safeguard) for 5 days, or Thiabendazole (10x the therapeutic dose). Also anti inflammatory drugs like flunixin meglumine (Banamine)
or Dexamethasone (non pregnant females only) to reduce the inflammation associated with the nerve tissue damage. Supportive use of
Vit. E, Selenium., Vit. B complex, and Vit. A are useful to healing neural tissues.
Duration-Recovery-Prognosis: Prognosis for survival
is based on the severity of the clinical symptoms. Recovery may take from several weeks, to months, to years. Many animals suffer
permanent neurologic deficits but can remain productive members of the flock and as pets.
Prevention: Prevention of Meningial Worm
is difficult. Suggested prophylactic treatment against migrating larvae may be achieved with monthly administration of injectable
Ivomec at the normal recommended cattle dose (1cc/ 110 lbs) during the high risk periods. Also, if feasible, minimize co-habitation
with whitetail deer and fence off low-wet areas to reduce exposure to slugs and snails. Prevention is paramount to avoiding or reducing
the incidence of this devastating disease.
Links:
www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/deerworm.html
www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles/menworm.htm
www.vet.ohio-state.edu/378.htm
