The Scottish Sheep Scab Initiative Presentation prepared by Brian Hosie SAC Veterinary Services, Edinburgh

The Scottish The Scottish Sheep Scab InitiativeSheep Scab Initiative


Presentation prepared by Brian HosiePresentation prepared by Brian HosieSAC Veterinary Services, EdinburghSAC Veterinary Services, Edinburgh

ProgrammeProgrammeProgrammeProgramme

The DiseaseThe Disease Its HistoryIts History The Scottish Sheep Scab InitiativeThe Scottish Sheep Scab Initiative TreatmentsTreatments Some Questions and AnswersSome Questions and Answers

THE DISEASETHE DISEASETHE DISEASETHE DISEASE

Caused by a parasitic miteCaused by a parasitic mite Highly infectiousHighly infectious Can live off the sheep (eg on fence Can live off the sheep (eg on fence

posts) for up to 16 daysposts) for up to 16 days

Early signsEarly signsEarly signsEarly signs

Advanced diseaseAdvanced diseaseAdvanced diseaseAdvanced disease

Advanced diseaseAdvanced diseaseAdvanced diseaseAdvanced disease

DiagnosisDiagnosisDiagnosisDiagnosis

Detection of scab mites - SAC offers Detection of scab mites - SAC offers free lab tests for scab and licefree lab tests for scab and lice

NOTE: Not all animals in flock will NOTE: Not all animals in flock will show symptoms but probably all are show symptoms but probably all are infected.infected.

Mixed scab and lice infestations Mixed scab and lice infestations occur.occur.

HistoryHistoryHistoryHistory

Major problem until the last century Major problem until the last century when modern dips introducedwhen modern dips introduced

Eradicated from UK in 1952Eradicated from UK in 1952 Reintroduced in 1972Reintroduced in 1972 Compulsory dipping 1972 until Compulsory dipping 1972 until

19921992 Sheep Scab Order 1997Sheep Scab Order 1997

SHEEP SCAB ORDER 1997SHEEP SCAB ORDER 1997SHEEP SCAB ORDER 1997SHEEP SCAB ORDER 1997

Offence for sheep owners or keepers Offence for sheep owners or keepers to:-to:-

““fail to treat sheep visibly affected fail to treat sheep visibly affected with scab and all other sheep in with scab and all other sheep in flock”flock”

““move sheep visibly affected with move sheep visibly affected with scab exceptscab except forfor - slaughter- slaughter

- treatment”- treatment”

Aim of the Sheep Scab InitiativeAim of the Sheep Scab InitiativeAim of the Sheep Scab InitiativeAim of the Sheep Scab Initiative

To reduce the incidence of sheep scab through:To reduce the incidence of sheep scab through: Promotion and support of best practice Promotion and support of best practice

(flock biosecurity)(flock biosecurity) Minimising the impact of outbreaks Minimising the impact of outbreaks

(effective and co-ordinated treatment)(effective and co-ordinated treatment) Maximising the effects of preventative Maximising the effects of preventative

action (targeting risk and co-ordinating action (targeting risk and co-ordinating treatment)treatment)

Sheep Scab InitiativeSheep Scab InitiativeSheep Scab InitiativeSheep Scab Initiative

Raise awareness via: Raise awareness via: Provide information on sheep scabProvide information on sheep scab Provide information on best practice for Provide information on best practice for

flock biosecurityflock biosecurity Promote co-operation at a local level Promote co-operation at a local level

(local veterinary support)(local veterinary support) Promote the initiativePromote the initiative

Initiative: Scab Information LineInitiative: Scab Information Line(0131 472 4031)(0131 472 4031)Initiative: Scab Information LineInitiative: Scab Information Line(0131 472 4031)(0131 472 4031)

Information Pack -Information Pack -

technical information from SACtechnical information from SAC

Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers

Product Information (Commercial Product Information (Commercial Sponsors)Sponsors)

Free lab scab test (SAC) publicityFree lab scab test (SAC) publicity Outbreak situation - co-ordinate local Outbreak situation - co-ordinate local

vet support through SAC Vet Servicesvet support through SAC Vet Services

Initiative: Action periods for all Initiative: Action periods for all flocks flocks Initiative: Action periods for all Initiative: Action periods for all flocks flocks

September - OctoberSeptember - October

Take time to assess flock health, Take time to assess flock health, risk status (incl: local risk factors risk status (incl: local risk factors and local prevention strategy)and local prevention strategy)

Initiative: Core messagesInitiative: Core messagesInitiative: Core messagesInitiative: Core messages

1.1.Prevent disease entering your flockPrevent disease entering your flock. . Isolate and treat any incoming stock.Isolate and treat any incoming stock.

2.2.Concerned about your flock’s health?Concerned about your flock’s health? Involve your local vet or phone the Involve your local vet or phone the ‘Scab Information Line’ direct.‘Scab Information Line’ direct.

3.3.Support the Action PeriodsSupport the Action Periods. Assess . Assess your flock status and potential risk, your flock status and potential risk, then treat accordinglythen treat accordingly

TreatmentsTreatmentsTreatmentsTreatments

These WorkThese WorkDipsDips - diazinon (OP)- diazinon (OP)

- high-cis-cypermethrin (SP)- high-cis-cypermethrin (SP)

Injectables - endectocide drugsInjectables - endectocide drugs

These do notThese do not- pour-ons- pour-ons

- showers- showers- jetting- jetting

DipsDipsDipsDips

LONG ACTING - Kill mites AND protect against LONG ACTING - Kill mites AND protect against re-infectionre-infection

SHORT ACTING - Kill mites: No Protection SHORT ACTING - Kill mites: No Protection Double dipping to treat Double dipping to treat scab scab

NOTESNOTES Dips also control other ectoparasites (eg lice)Dips also control other ectoparasites (eg lice) Dips do not treat internal parasites (eg worms)Dips do not treat internal parasites (eg worms) Dipping is controlled (Dipping is controlled (Certificate of Certificate of

competence, COSHH assessment, competence, COSHH assessment, Authorisation by SEPA)Authorisation by SEPA)

LONG ACTING DIPS -LONG ACTING DIPS -Kill mites AND protect against re-infectionKill mites AND protect against re-infectionLONG ACTING DIPS -LONG ACTING DIPS -Kill mites AND protect against re-infectionKill mites AND protect against re-infection

DiazinonDiazinon - Coopers Ectoforce- Coopers Ectoforce

Paracide PlusParacide Plus

Osmonds Gold FleeceOsmonds Gold Fleece

High - cis - cypermethrinHigh - cis - cypermethrin - Ecofleece- Ecofleece

- Auriplac- Auriplac



High - cis - cypermethrin High - cis - cypermethrin

- Crovect - Crovect

- Robust- Robust

Injectables - endectocidesInjectables - endectocidesInjectables - endectocidesInjectables - endectocides

SINGLE INJECTION - for treatmentSINGLE INJECTION - for treatment TWO INJECTIONS - for treatmentTWO INJECTIONS - for treatment

NOTESNOTES Injecting is not controlled (COSHH etc)Injecting is not controlled (COSHH etc) Injectables also treat the common roundworms Injectables also treat the common roundworms

(including white drench resistant strains) - ideal for (including white drench resistant strains) - ideal for new arrivalsnew arrivals

Injectables do not control all other ectoparasites Injectables do not control all other ectoparasites (eg.lice)(eg.lice)

Every sheep MUST get full doseEvery sheep MUST get full dose Long withdrawal periodsLong withdrawal periods

Injectables - endectocidesInjectables - endectocidesInjectables - endectocidesInjectables - endectocides

Doramectin (Dectomax) One single injection for Doramectin (Dectomax) One single injection for treatment and control (i/m injection)treatment and control (i/m injection)

Ivermectin (Ivomec, Noromectin, Rycomec) Two Ivermectin (Ivomec, Noromectin, Rycomec) Two injections 7 days apart for treatment (s/c injections 7 days apart for treatment (s/c injection)injection)

Moxidectin (Cydectin) Two injections 10 days Moxidectin (Cydectin) Two injections 10 days apart for treatment. One injection provides apart for treatment. One injection provides prevention against new infections for at least 28 prevention against new infections for at least 28 days as long as no pre-existing infestation (s/c days as long as no pre-existing infestation (s/c injection). injection). Authorised under Sheep Scab OrderAuthorised under Sheep Scab Order

ROUTINE FLOCK SCAB ROUTINE FLOCK SCAB CONTROLCONTROLROUTINE FLOCK SCAB ROUTINE FLOCK SCAB CONTROLCONTROL

Dip or inject ALL sheep on farm in Dip or inject ALL sheep on farm in autumn/winterautumn/winter

Choose a product to treat infection – it Choose a product to treat infection – it is very difficult to know if sheep are is very difficult to know if sheep are infestedinfested

Co-ordinate with neighboursCo-ordinate with neighbours Maintain effective fencesMaintain effective fences Treat away-wintered lambs before Treat away-wintered lambs before

departuredeparture

ACTION FOR SHEEP MOVED ACTION FOR SHEEP MOVED ONTO FARMONTO FARMACTION FOR SHEEP MOVED ACTION FOR SHEEP MOVED ONTO FARMONTO FARM

Assume all arrivals are infectedAssume all arrivals are infected Check fences + gates before unloadingCheck fences + gates before unloading Dip/inject – with regime that treats Dip/inject – with regime that treats

infectioninfection DO NOT MIX until treatment completed DO NOT MIX until treatment completed

(see instructions – most products (see instructions – most products require an isolation period following require an isolation period following use)use)

IN THE EVENT OF AN IN THE EVENT OF AN OUTBREAKOUTBREAKIN THE EVENT OF AN IN THE EVENT OF AN OUTBREAKOUTBREAK

Confirm diagnosisConfirm diagnosis Warn NeighboursWarn Neighbours Alert suspect sourceAlert suspect source Involve local vet practicesInvolve local vet practices Select treatment - flock situationSelect treatment - flock situation Treat all contacts with sheep (+fields)Treat all contacts with sheep (+fields) Remember withdrawal periodsRemember withdrawal periods

Questions & AnswersQuestions & AnswersQuestions & AnswersQuestions & Answers

Which product should I use?Which product should I use?

Answers to 16 frequently asked Answers to 16 frequently asked questions.questions.

Q: Q: What is the full cost of What is the full cost of dipping sheep?dipping sheep?Q: Q: What is the full cost of What is the full cost of dipping sheep?dipping sheep?

Chemical costsChemical costs Labour costsLabour costs Other costsOther costs

Approx. Approx.

50-60p/sheep50-60p/sheep



Scab Alert ‘PhonelineScab Alert ‘Phoneline0131 472 40310131 472 4031

Documents

The Scottish Sheep Scab Initiative Presentation prepared by Brian Hosie SAC Veterinary Services, Edinburgh