sheep diseases and pests
Sheep pox
Sheep pox is a serious viral disease transmitted by contact with other infected animals.. The mortality rate can be high. The symptoms are small red pimples around the mouth and under the tail accompanied by a high fever. There is currently no treatment available. Control is by vaccination.
Blackleg
Symptoms are lameness, fever and swelling of the limbs due to gas formation under the skin. Sometimes blackleg occurs at stressful times such as shearing. There is no treatment. Control is by vaccination.
Enzootic virus abortion
This is an infection disease of sheep leading to abortion in late pregnancy. Symptoms are abortion in late pregnancy with a retained placenta which leads to uterine infection. Lambs can be born alive or dead. No treatment is available to prevent abortion, but antibiotics can be given to prevent secondary infections. Control is by vaccination and strict hygienic lambing practices.
Lamb dysentery
Symptoms are sudden death of young lambs at 2-21 days of age following diarrhoea and fever. Treatment is by serum to reduce death rate. Control is by vaccinating ewes during the last month of pregnancy.
Joint ill
Symptoms are fever and a swelling of the joints. Antibiotics can be used to treat the disease in the early stages. Control is by using iodine to disinfect the navel at birth.
Pulpy kidney
Symptoms are sudden death of an animal which may occur after a change of diet such as at the beginning of the rainy season. Antibiotics are effective in the early stages of the disease. Control is by vaccinating the ewes prior to lambing.
ParasitesPARASITESYMPTOMSTREATMENTPREVENTIONRoundwormScours, anaemia and wastingWorm or drench weaned lambs regularly in the rainsRotational grazingWorm ewes just after lambingTapewormWasting & ricketsWorm lambs at 6 weeks and at weaningRotational grazingGraze young stock firstLiverflukeDullness, distended stomach, anaemiaWorm or drenchKeep stock off wet pastures and stream banksTickas, fleas and scabParasites on animalsDip or sprayDip regularly
Sheep pox is a serious viral disease transmitted by contact with other infected animals.. The mortality rate can be high. The symptoms are small red pimples around the mouth and under the tail accompanied by a high fever. There is currently no treatment available. Control is by vaccination.
Blackleg
Symptoms are lameness, fever and swelling of the limbs due to gas formation under the skin. Sometimes blackleg occurs at stressful times such as shearing. There is no treatment. Control is by vaccination.
Enzootic virus abortion
This is an infection disease of sheep leading to abortion in late pregnancy. Symptoms are abortion in late pregnancy with a retained placenta which leads to uterine infection. Lambs can be born alive or dead. No treatment is available to prevent abortion, but antibiotics can be given to prevent secondary infections. Control is by vaccination and strict hygienic lambing practices.
Lamb dysentery
Symptoms are sudden death of young lambs at 2-21 days of age following diarrhoea and fever. Treatment is by serum to reduce death rate. Control is by vaccinating ewes during the last month of pregnancy.
Joint ill
Symptoms are fever and a swelling of the joints. Antibiotics can be used to treat the disease in the early stages. Control is by using iodine to disinfect the navel at birth.
Pulpy kidney
Symptoms are sudden death of an animal which may occur after a change of diet such as at the beginning of the rainy season. Antibiotics are effective in the early stages of the disease. Control is by vaccinating the ewes prior to lambing.
ParasitesPARASITESYMPTOMSTREATMENTPREVENTIONRoundwormScours, anaemia and wastingWorm or drench weaned lambs regularly in the rainsRotational grazingWorm ewes just after lambingTapewormWasting & ricketsWorm lambs at 6 weeks and at weaningRotational grazingGraze young stock firstLiverflukeDullness, distended stomach, anaemiaWorm or drenchKeep stock off wet pastures and stream banksTickas, fleas and scabParasites on animalsDip or sprayDip regularly