Heptavac Question

[AyeCoff]

Hi all,

Total novice here.

We have a 4 ewes (bought in) and 3 Gimmers (from a family member) which have just been to the tup. I don't know what their vaccination background is, although I think the gimmers aren't up to date. My question is, should I give them two doses (starting from now) and then the pre lambing dose or just just wait and give them the pre lambing dose 4-6 weeks before lambing?

Thanks

 

[Highland Mule]

I'd want the unborn lambs to get protection from birth, so I'd suggest working back from that date and aiming to give the ewes and gimmers a jab 4-6 weeks before lambing. If you wanted to be absolutely certain that the ewes and gimmers were on the system as well, then you'd want them to have had a first jab 4-6 weeks before then - I'm guessing that's roughly Mid Jan and then early March for an early April lambing.

Of course with only seven sheep this all becomes a bit more expensive per head, so you have to factor risk vs. cost into that as well - might be worth a call to clarify the status with the sellers if you can, with a view to being able to avoid the first jab if they're up to date already.

 

[AyeCoff]

I'd want the unborn lambs to get protection from birth, so I'd suggest working back from that date and aiming to give the ewes and gimmers a jab 4-6 weeks before lambing. If you wanted to be absolutely certain that the ewes and gimmers were on the system as well, then you'd want them to have had a first jab 4-6 weeks before then - I'm guessing that's roughly Mid Jan and then early March for an early April lambing.

Of course with only seven sheep this all becomes a bit more expensive per head, so you have to factor risk vs. cost into that as well - might be worth a call to clarify the status with the sellers if you can, with a view to being able to avoid the first jab if they're up to date already.

Makes sense! We also have some ewe lambs so presumably I could use the extra doses on them make it more cost effective?

 

[Highland Mule]

Makes sense! We also have some ewe lambs so presumably I could use the extra doses on them make it more cost effective?

You could - even if they are on the system from birth (May/June '20 jab x2) I would be giving them their first (of hopefully many) annual boosters in early spring anyway, alongside the pregnant ewes - if you have more lambs than the residual from the bottle you could always stagger them amongst both phases of Jan & Mar. Remember the tups too, if you have any - they're important too.