Sheep Taking the Plunge
An eternal fight among shepherds, ranchers and other animal producers against the insects and pests that plague livestock is a timeless war. This week’s Throwback Thursday looks at one way of dispersing pests in sheep.
Sheep dipping is where sheep plunge through a pool of water treated with insecticides and fungicides. This “bath” or dip assists in protecting the animal against itch mite, blowflies, ticks and lice. This practice can also freshen a sheep's wool.
Around 1800, the first arsenic-based sheep dip was developed. By 1852, a veterinary surgeon of Berkhamsted, England, William Cooper, created a successful arsenic and sulfur mixture that was used for many years. Later, organophosphorus compounds developed. These compounds must be used carefully, as they can be dangerous to humans, other animals, the water supply and soil. With proper usage, taking the plunge in sheep dip drastically changed the tide in ovine health.
SDAHM Sudlow 23-3-8
