Essential Health Tips for Your Herd

Essential Health Tips for Your Herd – Vaccines and Medicines That Keep Eastern Cape Stock Strong

A healthy herd grazes easy and grows steady—no theft needed to steal your peace when sickness does it instead. In the Eastern Cape's dusty winds and tick-filled fields, worms, blackleg, and pulpy kidney hit hard. But with the right vaccines and meds, you can shield your cattle, sheep, and goats like a good fence. This guide shares exact, vet-approved picks from South African suppliers (like Kyron and MSD). Start small: Pick one tip, talk to your local vet, and share results in our WhatsApp group. Your stock deserves it—Enkosi!

Health Tip Section:

1. Vaccinate Against Clostridial Killers (Blackleg, Pulpy Kidney, Tetanus)

   • These sneaky bugs swell muscles or guts fast—common after rain or wounds.

   • Recommended Vaccine: Ovi-clos P (Kyron) for sheep/goats; Supavax (MSD) for cattle/sheep. Covers blackleg, pulpy kidney, malignant oedema, tetanus, and pasteurellosis.

   • Action: Lambs/kids at 2-3 months (two doses, 4 weeks apart); adults annually before breeding. Dose: 1 ml per 5 kg subcutaneous injection. Cost: Around R50-80 per dose at co-ops.

2. Beat Ticks and Blood-Suckers with Dewormers

   • Ticks spread anaemia; roundworms steal milk and meat—Eastern Cape heat makes 'em thrive.

   • Recommended Meds: Tramizan (MSD) for roundworms, liver/conical flukes in all livestock; Endo+Lint (Kyron) for nasal worms too.

   • Action: Dose lambs/kids at 6-8 weeks and 10-12 weeks; adults every 3-4 months (FAMACHA eye check for anaemia). Oral: 1 ml per 5 kg for sheep/goats; adjust for cattle. Follow with Complex A&E vitamins to rebuild strength.

3. Guard Against Anthrax and Botulism – Deadly but Vaccine-Proof

   • Anthrax spores lurk in dry soil; botulism from bad feed—outbreaks spike in summer.

   • Recommended Vaccines: Anthravax (MSD) for all; Blanthrax (MSD) combo for blackquarter + anthrax; Botuvax (MSD) for botulism.

   • Action: Vaccinate 4 weeks before high-risk season (Aug-Sep in EC). Annual booster. Dose: 2 ml subcutaneous per animal. Report suspects to SAPS Stock Theft Unit—they test free.

4. Fight Pneumonia and Coughs in Crowded Kraals

   • Wet winters bring pasteurellosis—coughs turn deadly quick in goats/sheep.

   • Recommended Vaccine: Ovipast (Ceva) or Enterotect P (MSD) for pneumonia and enterotoxaemia.

   • Action: Kids/lambs at 3 months; adults before lambing. Two doses, 4 weeks apart. Dose: 2 ml intramuscular. Pair with dry bedding to cut stress.

5. Quick Wound and Coccidia Care

   • Cuts from thorns invite infection; coccidia hits young stock with diarrhea.

   • Recommended Meds: Supaspray Plus (Kyron) aerosol for wounds (ticks/flies too); Vecoxan (MSD) oral for coccidiosis.

   • Action: Spray wounds daily till healed; dose Vecoxan at first loose stool signs (1 ml per 2.5 kg for goats). Clean tools with boiling water post-use.

Health isn't luck—it's these steps, done right. Grab supplies from your nearest co-op , and log it in your phone sheet for proof. Nomfuyo's network shares real stories: "Ovi-clos P saved my lambs last winter." Got a herd health win or worry? WhatsApp us or comment below. Next up: Tick-proof fencing. Together, we herd healthy. Inkosi sikelela!