Salmonellosis in ram hoggets following prophylactic zinc dosing

Extract Madam:– There has been considerable use in recent times of zinc oxide as an oral drench to prevent the occurrence of facial eczema in New Zealand. The recommendations for dosage and administration of zinc salts have been outlined in AgLink FPP 496.(5) For sheep the recommended dose of zinc oxide is 300 mg/kg daily but for prophylaxis it is suggested that a week's accumulated dose (i.e. 210 mg/kg) may be given as a single dose and that this is almost as effective as daily dosing and certainly more practical.