Take care when walking those dogs

Taking dogs for a walk along country roads or amongst the vineyards while sounding great can be the cause of major trouble for those with sheep or lambs in these areas.
Dan Lynch, Project Manager for Ovis Management says each year across the country, including Martinborough, lambs grazed in vineyards near dog walking areas are processed with high levels of Sheep Measles.
Sheep Measles does not harm humans, but causes unsightly cysts which lodge in lamb muscle tissue. Affected carcases can be downgraded or condemned at processing.

The parasite responsible for the cysts is carried by dogs, with sheep acting as the secondary host. One dog can shed as many as 250,000 eggs a day in their faeces, so pasture contamination can build up very quickly.
Eggs can survive on pasture for up to six months spreading over a large area.
In many cases as the lambs have no immunity it results in a type of severe outbreak, known as a ‘storm’, which can and does catch farmers off-guard causing significant financial losses.
The Martinborough region has not been exempt from outbreaks with ten farms in the district having high prevalence levels in the past season compared with six the previous year.
Lynch states that it is important that if a vineyard brings in stock to graze it should have a policy of no foreign dogs allowed during the year to minimise risk of infection to grazing lambs. It is also important people living in rural or semi-rural locations with dogs have them treated for Sheep Measles before taking them near stock grazing areas.
He said he frequently receives reports of people taking dogs out with them when visiting the countryside and wanting to let them roam, with no understanding or idea of the potential cost of a Sheep Measles outbreak.
Dogs can be easily and cheaply treated by dosing them on a regular basis to prevent infection with drugs readily available from vet clinics.
Reducing the risk
Treat dogs at least 48 hours and no more than one month prior to coming on or near sheep pasture.
Ensure dogs cannot access dead sheep or offal holes.
Cook or freeze any sheep or goat meat fed to dogs. (Freeze -10c for 10 days).
Have a supply of alternative dog foods.
Keep dogs under control at all times.
For more information on controlling sheep measles, contact your veterinarian.
or contact Ovis Management 0800 222 011 or visit www.sheepmeasles.co.nz.