ESTABLISHING A PROGNOSIS FOR FIRE DAMAGED SHEEP

Twenty, mixed age merino sheep suffering moderate bushfire burns were placed under observation to monitor the effects of the damage and to determine what indicators would provide a prognosis for burnt sheep. Eight sheep died within 29 days of the fire from the effects of their burns, while one which was killed when unable to stand 45 days after the fire had a heavy internal parasite burden. The best indicators that an animal would not survive were immobility and recumbency associated with burns to the hooves and legs below the carpal and tarsal joints which caused swelling and a dry leathery appearance of the skin. Neither burns to the legs not associated with swelling, nor burns to the hooves, head and woolless areas were themselves critical; such affected sheep generally recovered without complication. It was considered that burnt sheep should be assessed daily for the first 10 days. Control of internal parasites and blowflies may be required for recovering groups of sheep. It was found that sheep which survived their burns did not become unthrifty.