OVINE ECTHYMA - SORE MOUTH

Normally only healthy animals should be vaccinated but experience has shown that in outbreaks of Sore Mouth vaccination of infected sheep and lambs tends to shorten the course of disease.

This is a live virus vaccine. Do not vaccinate within 21 days before slaughter, or within 24 hours of dipping or spraying.

Rehydrate with accompanying diluent just prior to use. Contents of the diluent vial may be withdrawn with a sterile syringe and needle, without removing the stoppers, and transferred to the bottle of dried vaccine. If a syringe is not convenient the aluminum seals may be removed and diluent poured into the vaccine bottle.

Shake well after rehydrating until the dried virus is completely dissolved. Live virus products contain a stabilizer that may slow rehydration slightly but complete liquefaction will take place within a few moments.

The bottle of vaccine contains 100doses. Select a wool-free area of skin, such as the inside of the flank and scarify the outer layer by scratching with the notched handle of the applicator furnished as a part of the package. Scratching need not be deep enough to cause bleeding but should be sufficient to adequately roughen the skin. An area of at least one square inch should be scarified. Vaccine can be applied by dipping the brush into the vaccine bottle or by placing a drop of vaccine on the scarified area and brushing vigorously.

Reddening and a slight swelling of the site of administration should be observed a few days after vaccination. This will develop into raised areas that will rupture and scab over representing a “take” that indicates successful vaccination. Scabs will dry and fall off in about 2 to 4 weeks.

If there is a need to use the instrument a second time it should be sterilized by boiling in water for several minutes. Burn, autoclave or chemically disinfect this container and all unused contents.