Sheep Diseases
OPP (OVINE PROGRESSIVE PNEUMONIA)
OPP (OVINE PROGRESSIVE PNEUMONIA) - is a slowly progressing disease caused by a retrovirus. OPP is somewhat of a misnomer as the lungs are just one of many organ systems that can be affected. The virus exerts its effect by infecting and interfering with the macrophages and lymphocytes of the immunologic system. The disease usually occurs in sheep that are two to four years of age and lasts for several months to a year, terminating with the death of the animal. There is evidence that not all breeds of sheep are equally affected by the disease.
Diagnosis – Making a diagnosis based on the presence of clinical signs and symptoms is difficult. Sheep that are affected with the disease often exhibit a wide range of nonspecific clinical signs such as weight loss, difficulty breathing, arthritis, mastitis, and neurologic syndromes. In addition, in the early stages of infection, or when a sheep is a “carrier,” no signs of disease may be apparent. Read the rest of this entry »
FOOT ROT
FOOT ROT - is a serious disease caused by two bacteria. The first, Fusobacterium necrophorum, is commonly found in the soil and feces. The second, Dichelobacter nodosus, is the primary cause of foot rot and is found in diseased sheep and goat feet, or in areas recently contaminated by infected animals. Read the rest of this entry »
Control in infected or open flocks
Reduce environmental contamination for young sheep. Provide a clean lambing area, wash it between lambings, and shear or crutch ewes before lambing to reduce contamination for nursing lambs. House replacement ewe lambs in an area physically separated from mature animals and their droppings. Avoid the temptation to place thin ewes with young sheep in order to give them extra feed or care. Read the rest of this entry »
ohne’s disease : Control and Eradication
The so-called “slow” infections of animals and man are particularly difficult to diagnose, control and eradicate. They are generally characterized by long latent periods (often years) between infection and clinical disease, and frequently by difficulty in detecting infected individuals prior to the development of clinical signs. Control and ultimate eradication of Johne’s disease is dependent upon three fundamental steps: 1) accurate diagnosis of the disease to determine herd or flock infection, 2) subsequent identification of infected animals in the flock, and 3) use of appropriate management changes designed to limit exposure of susceptible animals. Read the rest of this entry »
Johne’s disease : Diagnosis
Diagnosis of the disease in animals with clinical signs is more difficult in sheep than in cattle. Sheep suspected of dying because of Johne’s disease should be necropsied to assist in the diagnosis. Bacteriologic culture of tissues or feces, commonly used in cattle, may or may not be successful in sheep. Microscopic examination of tissues of sheep dying from the disease can establish a diagnosis. Read the rest of this entry »
Johne’s disease : Transmission and Pathogenesis
Fecal material may contain billions of bacteria per gram. It is believed that most animals become infected with Johne’s by ingesting bacteria from contaminated environmental sources. Most probably are infected early in life, with relative resistance to infection developing with age. Read the rest of this entry »
Johne’s disease
Johne’s disease, or paratuberculosis, is a chronic infectious disease of ruminants that has a worldwide distribution. Some monogastrics can be infected experimentally. Regional estimates of prevalence of the disease in cattle, usually based upon cull cows going to slaughter, have suggested that from three percent to 19 percent are infected. Read the rest of this entry »