Diseases of sheep can be fatal, and in the most severe cases, the entire flock is rapidly infected. Prevention will help prevent negative consequences and protect animals. To do this, you need to know what diseases sheep can suffer from, what symptoms are accompanied by and how to carry out effective treatment?
Non-communicable diseases of sheep
This category of diseases does not pose a great danger. The main thing is to start treatment in a timely manner and not to forget about the importance of preventive measures.
Bezoar disease
The dumping of plant fibers and its own wool in the stomach of an animal is called bezoar disease. Most often, young individuals suffer from this disease, which remain hungry due to a lack of milk from the mother. Due to the lack of minerals and vitamins in the diet, the animal begins to eat its own wool, thus trying to make up for the lack of useful elements.
Bezoar Sheep Stomach Stone
A sick animal behaves restlessly, suffers from poor appetite, begins to look at other animals, trying to eat their wool. Such symptoms also appear - the mucous membrane is blue, the sheep tries to constantly defecate.
There are no effective preventive methods. To prevent the formation of bezoar stones in the stomach, make up a complete and proper diet, rich in essential minerals with vitamins.
Tympania of the scar
Gastrointestinal problems are a non-communicable disease. All animals, regardless of age and gender, can suffer from the disease.
The disease is accompanied by poor appetite, anxiety, and severe bloating. Both adult animals and lambs are affected by poor nutrition. The disease can cause one of the gastric scars to stop functioning.
Bloating in the sheep on the right
For treatment, a special tube is inserted into the mouth of the sick animal, allowing the full functioning of the scar to be restored. In this way, accumulated gases are removed. Such actions do not always bring results. In the most difficult cases, a scar puncture is required.
Cystitis
In the case of the formation of a purulent infection of the udder, as well as damage to the kidneys with the uterus or other organs located nearby, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder occurs. The sheep feels the need to urinate constantly, during which severe pains disturb.
With the development of the disease, the body temperature rises, it becomes impossible to urinate, and hunching appears.
During treatment, the sheep are transferred to light feed, and plenty of drink is also given. The animal is given salt, hydrochloric acid with benzoic acid. In some cases, flushing of the bladder is performed using various solutions. Intramuscular injections are given using sulfonamides with antibiotics.
Poisoning
This is a common problem that many sheep owners face. Poisonous plants eaten by a sheep can provoke poisoning. The problem is manifested by severe vomiting, stool disturbance, refusal to feed, high fever.
The greatest danger of poisoning is for lambs, a young organism may not tolerate a serious condition. The most effective is immediate gastric lavage using sunflower oil (110 ml) and a special salt solution (60 g of salt is taken for 550 ml of water).
Eczema
The skin of the animal becomes inflamed. Individuals who are allergic to various irritants - chemical, mechanical or fungal (damage Pithomyces chartarum). There is a likelihood of developing eczema as a result of improper and limited nutrition, inappropriate conditions of detention, as well as in the presence of various diseases that have a chronic course of the course.
With eczema, papules, redness appear on the skin of the animal, the growth of vesicles and pustules begins, the skin becomes covered with scabs, and exhaustion occurs. The treatment is based on the immediate elimination of the existing irritant. Medicines are prescribed to maintain the liver. Also, the sheep should be transferred to a different diet (hypoallergenic and safe, since grass that is poisonous for sheep can grow in the pasture), take a vitamin course (but do not exceed the dosage, otherwise the sheep will have toxic liver damage), and not graze in direct sunlight ( provide shade).
Bronchopneumonia
With this disease, inflammation of the bronchial mucosa occurs, and the lungs are also affected. A sick animal has a high fever, lack of appetite, rapid breathing, coughing, mucus secreting from the nose, which has an unpleasant odor.
Treatment is carried out with sulfonamides. Gamma globulin and antibiotics are prescribed. Drugs that stimulate the proper functioning of the heart may also be prescribed.
A special diet is required for a sick animal.
Stomatitis
With stomatitis, inflammation of the oral cavity occurs. This condition is provoked by mechanical types of damage, chemical or thermal effects, including the action of certain biological factors.
It is difficult for a sick animal to chew food, as erosions form in the oral cavity, the tongue may be coated with a white coating. Abundant salivation begins, the animal champs without ceasing.
For treatment, sheep are transferred to liquid types of feed with a slimy or jelly consistency. You can also give talkers. Treat eroded areas of the mouth with hydrogen peroxide regularly.
Conjunctivitis
Given the form of the disease, various symptoms may appear:
- catarrhal - the eyes can be closed or half-closed, the fear of light develops, severe tearing begins, the conjunctiva swells and turns red;
- purulent - the release of purulent contents begins, the edges of the eyelid are covered with ulcers;
- phlegmonous - the conjunctiva protrudes, edema of the mucous membrane of the eye develops;
- follicular - there is an inflammation of the follicles from the inside of the third eyelid.
Perform regular cleansing of the mucous membrane of the eye from purulent discharge. For this, an aqueous solution of boric acid, corticosteroid and antibiotic ointments are used. To prevent follicular form, cauterization is performed using a lapis pencil.
Arthritis
It is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints. As a result, this leads to deformation of their shape. The sick sheep is severely lame, suffers from pain, edema appears and the temperature rises. The sheep refuses to move, loses coordination.
Introduce as much alfalfa as possible to a sick animal's diet, as it is very nutritious and helps to reduce the amount of concentrated feed. Give courses of massage to the affected joint. It is also regularly smeared with irritating ointments.
Myositis
With this ailment, the muscles of the animal's body are damaged. Compaction of the diseased muscle begins, the sheep is worried about soreness, the skin in the affected area swells. The animal is severely lame if the limb muscles are damaged.
During treatment, a warming compress is applied to the affected area, physiotherapy is performed. If an abscess forms, it is opened, sulfonamides with antibiotics are injected intramuscularly.
Footrot
Hoof rot is one of the most unpleasant diseases that leads to severe inflammation - hoof pulpitis. The disease is accompanied by lameness, it becomes difficult for the animal to move. For treatment, a hoof is trimmed.
Tendonitis
Tendinitis or inflammation of the tendons is the result of injury and infection in the sheep's body. The sheep is severely lame, painful, the injured area swells, the temperature rises.
A cold bandage is applied over the inflamed area to apply pressure. To remove the resulting exudate from the bags of inflammation, a small puncture is made. After thorough cleansing, all cavities are treated with special antiseptic agents.
The amount of exudate gradually decreases. Over time, you can begin to massage using camphor oil.
White muscle disease of lambs
For lambs who were born a few days ago, this disease is the most dangerous, it does not respond to treatment. Death of the animal occurs in about 65%. The onset of dystrophic processes occurs due to the development of vitamin deficiency.
The sick lamb begins to limp, cramps, swelling and weakness appear, breathing becomes more frequent. But you can prevent the onset of the development of the disease. For this purpose, vitamin E and other valuable minerals, primarily selenium, are introduced into the diet of an adult animal. Give pregnant sheep minerals regularly.
Fractures
A breakdown in the integrity of a bone is called a fracture, which can be open or closed. In the first case, only the bone is damaged, in the latter the skin is also damaged.
If the animal has a fracture, swelling appears in the area of injury, the limb is deformed, the animal is worried about severe pain. In case of damage to the humerus, tibia and femur, the sheep are culled.
For treatment, a restraining bandage is applied to the damaged area, and complete rest is required. The limb and the bandage are fixed in a fixed position. To do this, use hard objects.
If tissues are also damaged during the fracture, the wound is treated with clean water and using antiseptics. A fixation bandage is required; a cast is not suitable. Fluid may occasionally come out of the wound. It is important to remove it regularly, and the rupture site is disinfected, since there is a risk of a septic phenomenon.
A sick sheep are added to the diet with vitamins and mineral supplements, the load is regulated. The massage of the injured limb is beneficial.
Infectious diseases of sheep
When an infectious type of disease is diagnosed, a sick sheep is immediately isolated from the flock. If the necessary measures are not taken in a timely manner, there is a risk of infection of the entire livestock.
Rabies
It is a contagious and serious illness during which the central nervous system suffers. The infection leads to the death of the sheep. There is a high risk of infection for other members of the herd. A person is also at risk. The causative agent is a virus that is unstable to high temperatures, acidic and alkaline types of disinfectants.
In a quiet form ailment sheep begin to hum hoarsely, salivation increases, gait is staggering and uncertain. The sheep refuses food and paralysis develops.
With a violent form diseases, the sheep begins to behave very aggressively, tries to break free from the leash, for no reason begins to roar and beat against the wall, can dig many holes in the ground.
As a preventive measure, sheep are vaccinated against rabies. The farm is fenced off from stray dogs and other animals that could be potential sources of infection.
To date, there is no effective treatment that will help get rid of rabies. When a disease is diagnosed, the sick animal is removed from the herd, isolated, then slaughtered.
Bradzot
An acute infectious disease, which is accompanied by high rates of intoxication, as well as inflammatory processes occurring in the abomasum (part of the stomach). Not all sheep are able to become infected, but all infected individuals die.
The disease is triggered by a rod-shaped microorganism that infects the animal and produces a dangerous toxin inside it. The stick is highly sensitive to various disinfectants.
The disease is characterized by a rapid course. The animal begins to have strong convulsions, the gait is unsteady, and is in agony. The animal dies in a couple of hours.
To date, there is no effective treatment for this disease. As a prophylaxis, it is recommended to carry out vaccinations in a timely manner.
Brucellosis
This is a contagious disease that can be transmitted to humans. Inflammation and further damage to various parts of the animal's body occurs. The causative agent is Brucella bacteria (Brucella), not resistant to high temperatures and various types of disinfectants.
The disease is asymptomatic and may go unnoticed. It is possible to determine the presence of the disease by delaying the placenta, the testicles become inflamed in the ram, and a spontaneous abortion occurs in the pregnant uterus.
In the event of a severe form of the disease, the animal has paralysis of the hind limbs.
Treatment is ineffective and ineffective, so the sick animal is sent for slaughter. As a prophylaxis, before introducing a new animal into the herd, it is tested in a veterinary clinic to determine the presence of brucellosis.
Lung adenomatosis
An infectious disease in which epithelial cells grow into the respiratory tract. It can manifest itself as a severe cough, nasal discharge is observed. It is extremely rare that an ailment proceeds without visible signs.
It is almost impossible to cure an infected animal. The sheep are immediately removed from the flock so that other animals do not become infected.
Listeriosis
A serious illness that can lead to the death of an entire herd. The organism of the animal is damaged by bacterial microorganisms. There are different forms of the disease - with nervous listeriosis, in 100% of cases, the death of the animal occurs, since there is no cure.
The ailment is accompanied by apathy, there is no appetite at all, convulsions, paralysis, and disruption of the musculoskeletal system appear. If possible, you should immediately take sheep that are immune to the disease.
Typical behavior of a sick sheep
Infectious mastitis
The ailment is manifested by acute inflammation of the udder: it hardens, its redness and swelling can be observed, and the process of feeding the lamb, milking or pumping causes pain. With a severe form of the disease, there is a significant increase in temperature and the release of pus from the nipples. The development of the disease occurs when a bacterial infection enters the udder through damaged teats due to keeping sheep in unfavorable conditions.
For treatment, antibiotics are used, with repeated inflammation, the udder is cut out. Effective prevention is proper care of the sheep, adherence to all hygiene rules, timely milk yield and lamb attachment to the udder.
Agalactia
Often, the development of the disease occurs simultaneously with infectious mastitis. The first signs appear after or during childbirth in the female.
The disease is accompanied by soreness and pronounced redness of the udder, conjunctivitis, milk changes color, appetite disappears, arthritis develops.
Treatment of the disease is possible only with the use of antibiotics. If a sheep has weak immunity, there is a risk of death.
Smallpox
This is a very common disease that can lead to serious consequences. Lambs and adults suffer. Weakened animals die.
This disease is manifested by an increase in body temperature, partial loss of hair with the formation of papular-pustular rashes, strong salivation, nasal discharge. A sick sheep completely refuses food.
The infected sheep are immediately isolated from other animals to prevent the spread of the infection. Treatment with antibiotics may be prescribed. In the absence of progress, the sick animal is killed, the corpses are burned, since the disease is highly contagious.
Effective prevention is timely vaccination.
Pasteurellosis
An infectious disease that often affects flocks of sheep. The main indicator is the presence of pathogenic organisms in the blood of an animal - Pasteurella multocida.
The disease is dangerous and can be transmitted to humans.
The course of the disease is accompanied by an instant rise in temperature, the onset of severe diarrhea, and a depressed state of the sheep is observed. Severe edema appears, the legs and joints swell. Anemia develops.
Sheep with pasteurellosis
The disease is treated with an injection using hyperimmune serum, sulfonamides with tetracycline are prescribed.
Effective prevention is timely vaccination, strengthening the immunity of animals. If an infected sheep was found, it is immediately isolated from the herd, the premises are treated with the use of disinfectants.
Salmonellosis (paratyphoid)
Salmonella is a causative agent with a high level of resistance to various disinfectants. Lambs often suffer from this disease. Death occurs in about 50% of cases.
The disease is manifested by an increase in body temperature (fever) and the presence of diarrhea (possibly with blood), the sick animal refuses to eat. The sheep's breathing becomes heavy. If the lamb has not died on the 6th day, then he starts to cough constantly (pneumonia develops), and the joints become inflamed. He can live up to 10 days.
The sick animal is isolated to prevent the spread of the disease. Treatment is with antibiotics (such as synthomycin). Nitrofuran agents (for example, furazolidone) and sulfonamides (norsulfazole, etc.) are also used.
Anthrax
The disease is very contagious, characterized by a rapid course. Not only animals but also humans are at risk of infection. When infected, swelling with ulcers appears on the body of the sheep. Carbuncles can appear on the skin and internal organs.
The microbial bacillus provokes a disease, it is difficult to completely destroy it. Sheep can become infected by eating contaminated food.
Depending on the nature and development of the disease, various symptoms may appear. There is a strong and incessant tremor, the body temperature rises, the mucous membrane of the eye becomes blue, the lymph nodes are hot under the jaw, and swelling of the lower jaw develops.
For treatment, a specific serum is used, injected into the muscles - 10 ml per animal. Gamma globulin injections are also used. Antibiotics related to the penicillin series are administered intramuscularly.
Enterotoxemia
This is a dangerous disease that affects the nervous system. It becomes the result of infection with various microbes. The disease is seasonal, most often sheep suffer from it in the spring. The disease goes through several stages - it begins with a chronic one, flows into a subacute, then acute and hyperacute.
The disease manifests itself as shortness of breath, mucus is abundantly secreted from the nose, salivation increases, problems associated with the condition and work of the gastrointestinal tract appear. Treatment will be effective during the subacute stage, when antibiotics are prescribed.
Foot and mouth disease
The disease is characterized by rapid spread. On the body of an infected animal, aphthae appear, erosion in the gap between the hooves, including on the mucous membrane of the mouth. There is a risk of human infection. The disease is provoked by a virus from the picornavirus family. It is highly resistant to various factors.
In 100% of cases, young animals die. When adult animals are infected, death occurs in about 40-85% of cases.
Provided that treatment is started correctly and in a timely manner, the animal is fully recovered, without serious negative consequences. Antibiotics are given by injection, and cardiac drugs may be prescribed. With the defeat of the hooves, baths are made with formalin solution.
Parasitic diseases of sheep
It is parasitic diseases that are the most common type. Infection can occur through contact with a sick animal or as a result of adverse conditions.
Fascioliasis
In the gallbladders, the flatworms of the Fasciola genus begin to parasitize. Damage is possible when drinking contaminated water or food. The disease can last for many years.
The disease is manifested by hair loss, diarrhea or constipation develops, and a high temperature is observed. The animal's appetite almost completely disappears, and severe exhaustion and weakness develop.
Treatment is with anthelmintics prescribed by a veterinarian. Deworming is performed at least twice a year.
Dicroceliosis
An invasive type of disease that is spread by parasites by dicroceli that settle in the liver and gallbladder. Parasites can live inside the body for several years, and the disease does not show any signs.
For treatment and prevention, anthelmintic drugs are used, which are mixed into food. The area where the sheep graze is being checked.
The cycle of development of dicroceliosis in sheep
Echinococcosis
Internal organs are infected with cestode larvae. At first, the disease does not manifest itself in any way, but soon diarrhea begins, appetite disappears, there is a sharp weight loss and exhaustion.
To date, no effective methods of treating the disease are known. Prevention is to limit the contact of sheep with stray dogs.
Ostertagi invasion
This is a parasitic disease provoked by ostertagias that have settled in the abomasum. There is weakness in the sick sheep, weight loss occurs, the submandibular areas swell, and thirst begins.
Treatment is carried out with the use of anthelmintic agents that are mixed with the feed. To eliminate parasites, drugs such as phentosian, nilverma, naphtamon can also be administered. The same means are also prevention.
Moniezioz
This is a parasitic type of disease provoked by a cestode that settles in the small intestine. Within 3 months, development takes place from an egg to a fully matured worm. In length, being inside the animal, it can reach 5 m. Ticks act as intermediate carriers of parasites.
When infected, the animal refuses food, diarrhea, colic begins, and the back flexes strongly during bowel movements. Coordination of movements is impaired, the animal begins to press its head to the stomach or falls on the stomach, trying to reduce pain
Deworming is an effective prevention. It is performed in 4 doses, preferably under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Tick-borne encephalitis
Disease transmitted by ixodid ticks. There is a high temperature, fever and general weakness. After the virus invades the brain, the symptoms of the disease soon disappear, but the temperature rises again. The work of the nervous system is disrupted.
If, within several days, after infection, the death of the animal does not occur, there is a chance for an independent recovery.
Pyroplasmosis
The disease is provoked by the parasite pyroplasm, which infects the internal organs and blood. For treatment, a course of antibiotics is prescribed.
The disease is manifested by yellowing of the mucous membrane, severe diarrhea, lack of appetite. The animal refuses even water. There is a red tint in the urine, breathing quickens, the temperature rises. The animal looks tired and lethargic.
Yellowing of the oral mucosa due to liver damage
Theileriosis
The disease is provoked by theileria parasites. Sick animals that have been infected with ticks become sources of infection.
The disease manifests itself with enlarged lymph nodes, high temperature, the correct work of the cardiovascular and digestive systems is disrupted. For prevention, the treatment of pastures from ticks is carried out.
A 7% azidine solution will help get rid of parasites. Other medications may be prescribed by your veterinarian. The drugs should be used in a complex, but no more than each remedy three times.
Psoroptosis
Saracoptoid mites on sheep's skin cause scabies. Damaging the integrity of the skin, mites feed on lymph and fluid. Sick animals become the source of the spread of the disease.
The disease is manifested by severe itching, loss of hair occurs, irritated skin thickens. The temperature rises, bubbles and painful crusts appear in the mites' habitat.
To kill ticks, the animal must be washed with activated creolin or hexaline. Butox or ivomek injections may be given.
For prevention, the sheep are kept in quarantine, they must be treated against ticks.
Melophagoz
Wingless flies, which rapidly multiply, infect sheep, lay eggs in the animal's wool. Therefore, there is a risk of immediate damage to the entire livestock. Both adult and young sheep are affected.
The disease is manifested by a sheep tearing its wool. Severe exhaustion and diarrhea begin, the amount of milk decreases. Treatment should only be prescribed by a veterinarian. If a sick individual is found, it is urgently isolated.
Strongyloidosis
The disease is provoked by parasites - strongyls, living in the mucous membrane of the small intestine of the host. But infection occurs through the ingress of larvae into the wound. After penetration into the body, the larvae with blood enter the lungs, provoking their irritation. Together with sputum, they are separated, then animals swallow it, after which the larvae end up in the intestinal tract, where they develop.
After infection, young lambs die.
The disease manifests itself with a strong cough, itching in the area where parasites have entered the body. The sheep begins to behave restlessly, pleurisy or pneumonia develops, weight is rapidly lost. The animal refuses food, a depression is observed.
Anthelmintic drugs (for example, thiabendazole or fenbendazole 0.01 g / kg once) are used during treatment to remove worms from the animal's body. Prevention is periodic cleaning of the stall, which should be done every day. In the first 60 days after birth, lambs are regularly screened for parasites.
Cenurosis (whirligig)
It is a dangerous disease that affects the sheep's brain. Almost always, after infection, the death of the animal occurs.
The disease is manifested by aggression or fearfulness of a sheep, convulsions. Coordination is impaired, lethargy appears and reflexes are absent. A sick animal often begins to throw back its head.
Sheep can suffer from a wide variety of diseases. Some pass without any problems, but there are those that can lead to the extinction of the entire livestock. Timely vaccination and care of sheep will help keep the livestock and prevent the outbreak of an epidemic.