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Learn about the tail docking rule at the Wyoming State Fair, anatomy involved, X-ray techniques, and the challenges faced. Follow the recommended procedure and contact the Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service for more information.
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Tail Docking Of Lambs (Research vs Implementation) University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service 2006
The Contributors • Lead Author Hudson Hill UWCES Mountain West Area Educator • Co-Author Steve Schafer, EdD UWCES State 4-H Office • Collaborators Eric Peterson UWCES Mountain West Area Educator Dawn Sanchez UWCES Uinta County 4-H
Tail Docking Background/Info Please read the accompanying handout before continuing with the presentation, because it is believed this background and information will enhance the presentation by providing insight and additional details and procedures. Of course, viewing this presentation without reading the handout is definitely acceptable. It is also believed much can be learned from this presentation without reading the handout. This presentation does relate to the tail docking rule of the Wyoming State Fair, but the info is applicable to the docking of all lambs.
Tail Docking Questions For questions or additional details concerning the tail docking of sheep for the Wyoming State Fair, please contact: • Wyoming State Fair • Wyoming State Veterinarian Office • Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service
2006 Tail Docking Rule “Every sheep that shows at the Wyoming State Fair must be accompanied by a certificate signed by a Wyoming Licensed Veterinarian which has a doctor/client relationship with the owner of the animal and which attests to the fact thatthe animal has a minimum three (3) full coccygeal vertebrae.”
The Challenges • Understanding the anatomy referenced in the rule (coccygeal vertebrae) • Understanding the location to dock • Finding that location
Coccygeal Vertebrae The skeleton
X-Rays and Docking • Palpate • Insert marker (needle) • X-ray • Note location
Sacro-coccygeal joint First vertebrae Second vertebrae Third vertebrae X-ray of Tail
This picture shows the needle in one joint distal from Sacro-Coccygeal joint
One vertebra to far to the distal end Sacro-Coccygeal joint Needle (hard to see!)
Tail docked one vertebra to far forward, leaving only two vertebrae Needle in one joint proximal to the Sacro-coccygeal joint Sacro-coccygeal joint
The needle is inserted in the joint between the sacral and coccygeal vertebra
The needle is inserted in the soft tissue at the sacral-coccygeal joint Needle
Photographs of lambs being docked, leaving three Coccygeal vertebra (two slides)
This lamb shows a tail where the caudal vertebrae are set further to the proximal side of the pin bones, making the tail look shorter but still having three coccygeal vertebrae.
Three coccygeal vertebra dock on a lamb with a little different tail structure. (two slides)
The following pictures are of lambs that were docked several weeks prior. These lambs are thought to have legal tail docks for the Wyoming State Fair. They were docked at the distal end of the caudal fold.
Docking seminar Douglas, WY The following three slides are of three different fall born lambs that the State Vet. used at the docking seminar on January 18th. The 1st lamb has one caudal vertebrae the 2nd has two and the third has three. Only number three would be a legal lamb at the state fair in 2006.
Three and five coccygeal vertebrae markedNotice the long caudal fold on white face lamb Marked at 3 Marked at 5
End of Caudal Fold marked by ribbon Distal end, caudal fold
Clive C Gay. Professor, DVM, Director, Field Disease Investigation Unit Department Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University “However, several studies have shown that the ideal length for avoidance of these problems is docking at the third joint space (level with the tip of the vulva).” - emphasis added Dr. Jan R. Busboom, Ph.D., Professor and Extension Meat Specialist “The location that Clive (above) recommended (the third joint space, level with the tip of the vulva) would be similar to the other common recommendation that the tail be docked where the caudal tail folds meet.” - emphasis added
Suggested procedure • Train yourself to palpate the sacro-coccygeal joint. • Train yourself to palpate (and count) coccygeal vertebrae. • Mark and dock • For the inexperienced (or untrainable!), resort to visual identification and docking at the end of caudal fold, which yields a high probability of leaving 3 tail vertebrae.
