Kulshan Veterinary Hospital is so excited that the fair is back this year. For over 40 years we have been the official NWWF veterinarians and it is always fun to support and see the agricultural community, local kids, and their livestock.
In preparation for the fair, we wanted to give our recommendations for each species prior to the fair and remind everyone of conditions that will get your animal sent home at check in.
So let’s dive in.
Beef and Dairy Cattle
Required: All females over 12 months of age must be vaccinated against Brucellosis (Bangs) and have a valid tattoo in their right ear.
Recommended: 1-2 months prior to fair give an intranasal or injectable respiratory vaccine that protects against BVD type 1 and 2, PI3, BRSV, and IBR. Other optional vaccines include Pink eye, Clostridials, Leptosporosis. Deworming 1 month prior to fair. Be aware of meat withdrawal times.
Goats and Sheep
Required: ID prior to arrival must meet USDA requirements for Scrapie ID program. Call 1-800-USDA-TAG for more information and to acquire tags.
No bucks allowed unless still nursing and accompanying the dam. So make sure castrations sites are healed completely by check in.
Recommended: 1-2 months prior to fair give injectable vaccine against Clostridium C and D and Tetanus. Typically available in an all-in-one shot. Lice/mite treatment 2-3 weeks prior to fair.
Swine
Recommended: 1-2 months prior to fair give vaccines that protect against Erysipelas and Swine Flu. Other optional vaccines are Bordatella and Pasteurella. In many products these are available in an all-in-one shot. Deworming prior to fair. Be aware of meat withdrawal times.
Horses
Required: Horse vaccination record and Horse Health Declaration Form are required to submit to veterinarians at check in.
Horses on any prescription meds, especially Bute, Banamine, Equioxx, or Voltaren MUST bring a letter of explanation from their Veterinarian.
Recommended timing of vaccination: 1-2 months prior to fair vaccinate against Flu/Tetanus/West Nile if not current within the last year. Optional vaccines will also include EEE/WEE/Rabies.
Poultry
Recommended: Dusting for parasites at least 1 week prior to fair.
The check-in exam will be limited to meeting only the Health Requirements for entry into the Fair. No additional healthcare exams will be done during this time.
A KVH Veterinarian will stop in twice each day (a.m./p.m.) starting Thursday afternoon to attend to animal health needs. We will be available to answer general questions regarding animal health. There will be no farm call charged during a scheduled walk through – But owners will be required to pay KVH for services and supplies (including exams – $45.00 minimum and treatment if needed).
Any other calls to the Fair outside of the above scheduled visits will be subject to a farm call as well as the appropriate veterinarian fees. The fair veterinarian’s professional decision as to the health status of an animal is final and will be upheld by the fair board. Any animal refused by the veterinarian at check-in or dismissed during the fair must be removed from the fair grounds and returned home immediately. There are no facilities to house animals that cannot be exhibited.
Animals on exhibit at the Fair are the very best of their species and must present this image to the viewing public.
Conditions that will warrant ejection at check in:
The following is a comprehensive but not exclusive list of common health conditions that the veterinarians will send your animal home at check in.
- Lice
- Mange
- Ticks
- Fever
- Respiratory disease
- Warts
- Ringworm
- Diarrhea
- Foot rot
- Pinkeye
- Emaciation
- Visible wounds
- Erysipelas
- Unhealed castration or dehorn sites
- Strangles
- Caseous Lymphadenitis/CL
- Atrophic rhinitis
- Fleas
- Excessive aggressiveness
- Safety concerns
- Public viewing/ PR concerns
- Any other animal or public health concerns
