LABORATORY ANIMAL FACILITIES STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE for QUARANTINE OF SHEEP AND GOATS

COMPARATIVE MEDICINE

  1. Purpose:
    This procedure details the quarantine for sheep and goats.
  2. Scope:
    This procedure applies to all CM-LAF personnel and investigators working with sheep and goats.
  3. Procedure:
    1. All newly-arrived animals are given a complete physical examination by a veterinarian or designated veterinary technician.
    2. The physical exam should include noting of:
      1. ocular or nasal discharge
      2. physical abnormalities
      3. evidence of foot rot
      4. ectoparasites
      5. oral cavity
      6. heart and lung auscultation
      7. palpitation of lymph nodes
      8. auscultation for gut sounds
      9. recording of temperature, pulse and respirations
    3. Verification of repeat surgeries.
      1. Use list, held in Room 204, of sheep returned to farm which had surgery at UB.
      2. Cross reference newly arrived sheep number with animal number listed.
      3. Reject any sheep which have had previous major survival surgery, unless the animal will only be used in an acute/non survival procedure.
    4. The vendor provides the following:
      1. Vaccination for Clostridium perfringes types C and D -Tetanus toxoid, Pasteurella Haemolytica-Multocida Bacterin, and Ovine Ecthyma Vaccine.
      2. Foot trimming and feet treated with zinc sulfate for prevention of foot rot.
      3. Sheep/goats are given penicillin-G one day prior to shipping to prevent shipping fever.
      4. All sheep are shorn prior to shipping unless otherwise requested.
      5. Deworming.
      6. Q-fever testing. This testing will be done as close to arrival date as possible, but not more than thirty days prior to arrival. Q-fever results must be presented when the sheep/goats arrive, or the animal will not be allowed in the facility.
    5. Q-Fever test results:
      1. Only animals with negative test results on Phase 1 IFA and Phase 2 IFA are allowed entry to the CM-LAF.
      2. Animals with positive Phase 1 are rejected.
      3. Animals with a negative Phase 1 and positive or "weak positive" Phase 2 cannot be accepted into the CM-LAF. It is recommended that these animals return to the farm and have serology repeated in two weeks. Entry will be allowed once serology results demonstrate a negative result in both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
    6. After examination and approval, the animals are ear tagged with a Comparative Medicine Laboratory Animal Facilities identification number. ID numbers are assigned by the 3rd floor supervisor. Ear tags are implanted under general anesthesia by PI during first experimental procedure.
    7. Animals used in acute studies are quarantined for one day. Animals used in chronic studies are quarantined for three days. If any health problems occur during quarantine, the animal is reported to the veterinarian.
      1. To return a sheep purchased from the Swartz Family Sheep Farm, an animal rejection form is completed and a copy given to the vendor. The cage will be posted "Rejected - Do Not Use". The animal is then returned to the farm as soon after rejection as possible.
      2. A sheep purchased from a different vendor, or a goat, can be returned or otherwise rejected from the study through contact with the specific vendor via the CM-LAF Purchasing Officer.
    8. Animals housed over 1 month in the CM-LAF must have Q-Fever serology tests performed. These are performed monthly for as long as the animal is housed in the CM-LAF. Results are submitted to CM-LAF veterinarian for review.