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Inoculation in the combating of stock diseases
Also availabe in Afrikaans | Xhosa
Each one of us was inoculated against diseases during infancy. We still carry these marks as proof on our upper arms. This was done so that our bodies could build up resistance against contagious diseases such as smallpox.
The same is done with animals. When I inoculate my animal, his body builds up resistance against diseases such as Brucellosis, lumpy skin disease, anthrax and botulism.
We therefore agree that animals should be inoculated. When inoculating animals, we should bear the following in mind:
- The stock farmer must gather the animals he wants to inoculate beforehand and must keep them calm before and after inoculation. Stress during inoculation can give rise to problems.
- The inoculants we use may not be exposed to direct sunlight nor be stored at high temperatures. This reduces the effectiveness of the inoculant so that it does not have the desired effect on the animal.
- The needles and syringes that will be used to inoculate the animals must be boiled for a period of approximately ten minutes so that they can be completely free of germs. After the needles and syringes have been used, they must be cleaned to prevent them from rusting. Dirty equipment can also spread infection.
Please read and follow the directions on the inoculant container very carefully. Never use an inoculant after the expiry date. It then no longer has any value and you just bluff yourself.
Inoculants can be bought from agricultural co-operatives or from private veterinarians. They will also advise you on which inoculants to use.
Remember - together with the use of inoculants there is the farmer’s management of his animals. This includes good feed and grazing, clean water, a clean milking area and clean stalls.
G Brand
ELSENBURG Veterinary Services
