Management Diseases and Parasitesof Sheep and Goats

By: Mohammed SabahBy: Mohammed Sabah

20142014

Common Problems and Solutions

An-Najah National University

1-temperature (sheep, normal range): 38.3°C to 39.9°C.The average is (39.1°C). Temperature is usually higher in the morning than in the afternoon; younger animals will show a wider range of temperature than mature animals.2- temperature (goats, normal range): (38.7°C to 40.7°C). The average is (39.9°C). Temperature is usually higher in the morning than in the aft ernoon; younger animals will show a wider range of temperature than mature animals.3- pulse rate (sheep and goats, normal range): 70 to 80 heartbeats per minute.4- respiration rate (sheep and goats, normal range): 12 to 20 breaths per minute.

Normal vital signs in sheep and goats are:

1. Watch the animals closely for signs of illness.2. Use the best feeding and management practices possible to prevent problemsbefore they occur.3. Handle animals with care; avoid stress whenever possible.4. Follow strict sanitation practices.5. Treat all wounds with disinfectants.6. Select only healthy animals for breeding purposes.7. Isolate and watch newly purchased animals for at least 30 days before puttingthem with the rest of the animals.8. Prevent fenceline or other contacts with animals from other farms.9. Control traffic of trucks, equipment, and people into areas where animalsare kept.10. Isolate sick animals for treatment.11. When possible, prevent diseases by vaccinating.12. Control parasites with sprays, dips, dusts, and drenches.13. Rotate pastures to prevent parasite buildups.14. Cooperate with a local veterinarian in the prevention and treatment of diseasesand parasites.`

A program for prevention of health problems includes the following steps:

Health care in sheep and goats

Starts with Prevention Biosecurity Vaccination program Parasite control Good nutrition Early detection and

treatment Culling Predator control

Boer x Kiko

BiosecuritySecurity from transmission of infectious diseases, parasites, and pests

Know the health status of the animals you are purchasing.

Maintain a closed flock/herd.

Limit showing/ exhibiting.

Isolate new animals for at least 30 days.

BiosecuritySecurity from transmission of infectious diseases, parasites, and pests

Don’t loan or share rams or bucks.*

Don’t breed ewes or does for other producers.*

Do not mix your animals with other people’s animals.*

Don’t share equipment unless it is disinfected after each use.

Don’t let your shearer spread disease.

Limit access to your farm/animals.

Control cat, dog, bird, and rodent populations.

*Unless other farm/animals have equal health status.

Vaccination Program

Good nutritionBetter nutrition means stronger immune systems and disease resistance.

Feed balanced rations. Feed according to

production cycle and growth stage.

Supplement pasture and forage, when necessary and economical.

Provide free choice minerals.

Choose proper feeds for sheep and goats.

Early detection and treatmentEarly diagnosis is key to the control of health problems.

Know common signs of illness Loss of body condition Poor appetite Lag behind flock/herd Lethargy سبات Ears or head down (tail down) Poor hair/wool coat Teeth grinding (pain) Dirty hocks, tail (scours) Anemia Fever (infection) Breathing (respiratory)

CullingCulling is one of the most powerful tools in managing animal health.

Most problems have a genetic component Foot rot Parasites Vaginal, rectal prolapses

Most disease conditions will repeat or get worse Hoof problems Mastitis Vaginal prolapses

Vaginal prolapse

Control predationPredation accounted for 37.3% of sheep and goat losses in 2005.

Predator control options Fencing Management Livestock guardians Lethal control

coyotes, dogs, bears, mountain lions, cougars, foxes, eagles, bobcats, wolves, vultures

FencingPredator control starts with a good fence.

High-tensile, electric Woven or net wire Electric netting Modify existing fences Predator-proof gates

Foot Rot Controlling foot rot involves regular inspection of the animals’ feet, proper trimming of feet, keeping animals out of wet areas, keeping bedding dry, and the regular use of a footbath. Footbath solutions as discussed under foot scald may be used. Scattering lime or superphosphate around feed mangers may also help in preventing foot rot. When an outbreak of foot rot occurs, separate the infected animals from the rest of the flock and put them in a clean, dry area. Trim the feet if necessary.

Treat the infected feet in a footbath solution twice daily as outlined above. Severe cases may require the injection of antibiotics. Check the animals and treat them every 3 days for at least 4 treatments. Be sure the animals are completely free of foot rot before returning them to the uninfected flock. A vaccination is for contagious foot rot.

Milk fever, a disease caused by a lack of calcium in the blood, occurs in both sheep and goats. Lambing ewes may be affected. In goats, it may occur shortly after kidding, or it may occur a month or so later in the lactation period.

Symptoms include loss of appetite, restlessness, muscle tremors, and difficulty in standing. If milk fever is not treated, the animal will fall into a coma and die.

Treatment is by injection of calcium. A good ration during gestation may help in prevention of milk fever.

Milk Fever

Mastitis, which affects both sheep and goats, is caused by bacteria or by injury to the udder.The udder becomes swollen, hard, and sore. The affected animal may have a straddling walk. The milk is thick, yellow, and flaky.

Treat with antibiotics. To aid in prevention of mastitis, remove any objects in the barn or pasture.

Sanitation also helps to prevent the disease. Tag wool from the udder area on sheep, and use proper milking procedures.

Mastitis

Keeping sheep and goats healthy is best achieved through programs of disease and parasite prevention. Good management practices help to prevent many health problems.

Keeping sheep and goats healthy is best achieved through programs of disease and parasite prevention. Good management practices help to prevent many health problems.

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