Ep 6. Living with Livestock
- TVG
- November 4, 2017
- 1200 min
In season 2 episode 6 of Wilderness Vet, titled "Living with Livestock," Dr. Michelle Oakley is on a mission to help with the unique challenges of keeping livestock in Alaska. The episode follows Dr. Oakley as she visits a variety of farms and ranches, working with animals such as cows, sheep, and pigs.
First, Dr. Oakley travels to a sheep farm to help with vaccinations and health checks for a group of newborn lambs. She provides guidance to the farm's owners about the importance of proper feeding and care for the young animals, as well as the risks of parasites and other health issues.
Next, Dr. Oakley visits a ranch where she helps with the delivery of a calf. She then performs a checkup on the mother to ensure that both she and the calf are healthy. Dr. Oakley also shows the ranch's owners how to identify signs of illness in their animals, emphasizing the importance of regular veterinary care for livestock.
Later in the episode, Dr. Oakley works with a family who raises pigs on their farm. She helps to treat some of the pigs for injuries and illness, and provides advice on feeding and management strategies to maximize the health and productivity of the animals. She also observes the family's innovative use of a rotational grazing system, which helps to improve the health and well-being of the pigs while reducing the impact on the environment.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Oakley emphasizes the importance of responsible animal husbandry, emphasizing the role that veterinary care plays in maintaining the health and well-being of livestock. She also highlights the unique challenges that come with raising and caring for animals in Alaska's harsh and unforgiving environment.
"Living with Livestock" is a fascinating look into the world of livestock farming in Alaska, and the important work that veterinarians like Dr. Oakley do to support this important industry. With its focus on animal welfare and responsible animal husbandry, this episode is a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of animal health, agriculture, and sustainability.
