Download Addition of New Animals

Addition of New Animals
Pre-purchase process
Bringing new animals onto your farm may also bring new diseases.
Even buying or borrowing a bull, ram, or buck could compromise
the biosecurity of your farm. Review the following checklist before and
immediately after new animals are purchased. Organic livestock farms will
recognize that careful examination of animals is needed since treatment options
are more limited. Ask your veterinarian to contact the veterinarian of the
source herd. Test and vaccinate as needed. The key point is to determine the
vaccination and health status not just of the individuals you are buying, but also
of the herd of origin. Specifically ask about the following conditions:
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1. Mastitis (in dairy animals)
Culture cows for Strep. ag, Staph. aureus, and Mycoplasma. Conduct a
series of three bulk tank or individual cultures plus SCC.
Purchase open or bred heifers to minimize the risk of mastitis (but
recognize the risk will not be zero).
2. Hoof health
Inspect for hairy heel warts (cattle), foot rot, foot scald (small ruminants),
and lameness. Isolate and treat any problems upon arrival.
3. Vaccination status
Ask for records of initial vaccination series and boosters for respiratory
diseases, leptospirosis, bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) in cattle, clostridial
diseases (CD Tet in small ruminants), and rabies.
Booster or initiate a vaccination series to match your herd vaccination
program. Consult with your veterinarian about your routine and
purchased-animal vaccination programs.
Boost vaccines 3 weeks prior to movement, if appropriate.
4. Herd health status
History of abortions. In cattle, diagnoses of neosporosis, leptospirosis,
salmonellosis, BVD, lymphoma, or Johne’s Disease.
In small ruminants, diagnoses of Johne’s, leptospirosis (Leptospira
interrogans), vibrio (Campylobacter fetus), chlamydia (Chlamydia
psittaci), toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii), or listeriosis (Listeria
monocytogenes).
 Breeding soundness exam prior to purchasing male breeding stock.
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Test results negative for persistent infection (PI) with BVD in
cattle.
Serologic status for bovine leukosis virus (BLV) in cattle, Johne’s
Disease (JD or MAP) in cattle and small ruminants; caprine
arthritis encephalitis (CAE) in goats; ovine progressive pneumonia
(OPP) in sheep and goats.
5. Deworming/antiparasitic program
 Check fecal; conduct egg count and test anthelmintic
resistance in small ruminants. Get history of past
deworming practices.
 Check for signs of lice, mange, ringworm, and warts. Use
pour-on or other insecticide upon arrival, if indicated.
Post-purchase management of animals
The ability of tests to find the presence of a disease (sensitivity) is limited, so
testing alone does not eliminate the risks inherent to purchasing animals.
Therefore, post-purchase management of incoming animals as well as
management of the home herd are important control points.
 Identify new arrivals and segregate for at least 2-3 weeks.
 Use separate housing, feeding, and birthing areas (ideal).
 Use separate housing and feeding areas (acceptable).
 Prevent contact with other livestock (minimum acceptable).
 Do not use an “old” barn that could compromise stall comfort, air
quality, or feed management as an isolation facility.
 Booster vaccines, if necessary.
 Minimize stress.
 Provide clean, comfortable housing with good
ventilation.
 Consult nutritionist to develop transition ration.
Change to new ration slowly.
 Inspect and treat feet for warts, scald, or lameness.
 Prevent manure from moving from the isolation area to the
rest of the herd.
 Milk new and isolated dairy animals last.
 Observe and examine frequently for early disease detection.
 Plan and prepare in advance.
 Monitor aggressively. Early recognition is crucial to
preventing spread of disease.
 Identify and train staff who will monitor health.
 Create written protocols for monitoring and
treatment with criteria such as fever, signs of
infection, lameness, or off-feed.
Addition of New Animals
Animal importation
Anyone who has brought an animal into Vermont knows that they must meet
certain regulatory requirements. These restrictions are designed to prevent the
introduction of diseases that are not currently present in the state. Although the
restrictions vary by species, there are some similarities in the process. Since
some diseases can spread from one species of animal to another—or even to
humans—it is critical that all animal importers follow the applicable
restrictions. The importation of monkey pox into the United States in 2003
with African rats is an example of what can happen if adequate safeguards are
not followed to ensure the health of the animals entering this country.
The United States is free of many diseases that occur in other parts of the world.
Foot and Mouth Disease is a well-known example. Inspection of imported
animals and feedstuffs plays a critical role in preventing the introduction of
such diseases. Control programs are in place for a number of diseases that have
been nearly eradicated from the United States, including brucellosis and
tuberculosis. These still exist in geographic regions where wildlife (bison and
deer, respectively) serve as a reservoir for disease and periodically infect
livestock. As of July 2003, Vermont is free of brucellosis, bovine tuberculosis,
and pseudorabies. These and other diseases are reportable if diagnosed (or
suspected) in animals in the state.
All imported animals must be accompanied by the following three items:
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Import permit
Certificate of veterinary inspection within 30 days of importation
Official individual identification.
Any required testing must be done in the state or country of origin. The main
disease concerns associated with various species are listed on the next page.
Additional information on regulations pertaining to the importation of animals
is available through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and USDA APHIS
websites. The State Veterinarian will have the latest information on rules and
regulations.
Regulated diseases
The entry of animals from other parts of the country into Vermont is regulated
to prevent the introduction of diseases found elsewhere in the United States.
The regulated diseases are listed below by species, but you will notice several
diseases affect more than one species. Vesicular Stomatitis is a particular
concern because the signs resemble those of Foot and Mouth Disease. An
animal with a vesicular disease will be quarantined and other restrictions may
apply until a specific diagnosis is confirmed.
Cattle/Bison
Brucellosis
Tuberculosis
Anaplasmosis
Bluetongue
Psoroptic mange
Vesicular Stomatitis
Deer/Elk/Other cervidae
Brucellosis
Tuberculosis
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease
Anaplasmosis
Elaphostrongylinae nematode
(worm)
Chronic wasting disease in elk
Bluetongue
Vesicular Stomatitis
Camels/Llamas/Alpacas
Brucellosis
Tuberculosis
Bluetongue
Vesicular Stomatitis
Sheep
Bluetongue
Psoroptic mange
Scrapie (affected or exposed)
Vesicular Stomatitis
Goats
Brucellosis
Tuberculosis
Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA)
Vesicular Stomatitis
Pigs
Brucellosis
Pseudorabies
Vesicular Stomatitis
Horses
Equine infectious anemia
(Coggins)
Vesicular Stomatitis
Poultry
Pullorum-typhoid
Avian influenza
Other species not included in this list may also have specific regulations. If
you are importing an animal that is not on this list, contact the State
Veterinarian to determine which agency has regulatory authority and follow
the proper procedures.