Sheep Veterinary Care
Our Services
Sheep make a wonderful addition to almost any farm or backyard! Though they are known to be low-maintenance, when health concerns arise, you’ll want to know exactly who to call. Dr. Wilson of Equiheart® Veterinary Services has been providing mobile veterinary care to sheep throughout northern New Jersey for over 7 years, and is a member of the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners (AASRP). She cares deeply about each and every patient and client, and will do everything possible to keep your herd healthy and happy!
Husbandry and Wellness Care
There are a number of simple husbandry practices that sheep owners should employ to keep their herd as healthy as possible. From hoof trimming to de-worming to nutrition consulting, Dr. Wilson is there for your herd’s basic wellness needs. She will provide you guidance about disease prevention and health maintenance — and even offer ovine wellness plans tailored to your sheep’s individual needs. This type of routine care can help prevent more serious issues down the road!
24/7 Emergency Care
To avoid predation, sheep have evolved to show few outward signs of illness. Unfortunately, that can sometimes make it difficult to notice when your sheep is not feeling well. Often, by the time they are showing obvious signs of illness, they are already in a critical state. If any of your herd is showing isolation, lethargy, depression, symptoms of disease, or signs of distress, please call Dr. Wilson immediately.
Vaccinations
To keep your herd happy and healthy, there are a number of vaccines that are prudent to administer to your sheep. The vaccinations Dr. Wilson generally recommends in northern New Jersey are Enterotoxemia (clostridium perfringens type C & D), Tetanus, and Rabies. Sometimes, selenium and vitamin E injections are also recommended, depending on your herd’s needs.
Biosecurity Screenings
When bringing home new sheep, especially from auction, be mindful of biosecurity to protect the health of your existing herd. Dr. Wilson generally recommends that you temporarily quarantine your new sheep until you are sure they are not carrying an infectious disease that may infect your existing herd. There are a number of biosecurity measures Dr. Wilson would be pleased to discuss with you and help you implement.
Breeding and Reproductive Services
Dr. Wilson offers reproductive services for small ruminants including neonatal care, hormone analysis, and herd health screenings for Brucellosis, Johne’s Disease (Paratuberculosis or MAP), Ovine Progress Pleuropneumonia, Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL), and more. Dr. Wilson also provides assistance with kidding and castration.
Advanced Diagnostics
Sheep are hardy ruminants, but they can sometimes have complex medical problems that require advanced diagnostic testing. Equiheart® Veterinary Services is equipped with portable imaging equipment, with which Dr. Wilson can perform digital X-Ray radiography and Ultrasonic imaging from the comfort of your own barn. Equiheart® can also perform a wide variety of laboratory diagnostic testing, in conjunction with a partner lab.
Intensive Care
Most procedures for sheep are typically performed at your farm, but if your sheep requires more specialized care, intensive care is available in select cases for established clients.