Standard Operating Procedures

Program of Veterinary Care for the Sheep Farm

Last updated: June 19, 2012

I. Preventive Health Care

Deworming

• All sheep are dewormed three times yearly using Ivermec or Synanthic (oxfendazole) on a rotating schedule. Breeding ewes are dewormed one month before breeding.

Shearing

• Sheep are shorn twice yearly, once each in the spring and the fall, or as requested.

Feet Trimming

• Sheep have their feet trimmed twice yearly in the spring and the fall or as needed. Foot trimming is done separately from shearing.

Records

• Records of preventive veterinary care are maintained by the International Heart Institute of Montana (IHI) and such records are kept at the sheep farm, the IHI office or Laboratory Animal Resources at UM.  Records detailing preventive health measures, sheep on hand intended for use at the University, animal identification numbers, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol numbers, and final animal dispositions is maintained by IHI and the information is readily available to to the Attending Veterinarian (AV) and the USDA or other inspection agencies.

Primary Veterinarian

• Amy Rizzo, DVM, under direct oversight of the AV, provides primary care to the sheep maintained at the sheep farm expressly for IHI research studies. Dr. Rolette Pruyn, Blue Mountain Veterinary Clinic in Missoula, also provides back-up emergency care for any sheep on IACUC-approved studies when IHI personnel and the AV are unavailable.

II. Unusual Health Conditions

Reporting

• Any unusual health conditions noticed at the sheep farm are reported immediately to the AV. The AV can then determine if the health situation is likely to affect the integrity of research projects and can make appropriate recommendations regarding the treatment and use of the animals in consultation with Dr. Rizzo.  Dr. Rollett Pruyn may be included in such discussions.