Management Diseases and Parasites of Sheep and Goats An-Najah National University Management Diseases and Parasites of Sheep and Goats Common Problems and Solutions By: Mohammed Sabah 2014

Normal vital signs in sheep and goats are: 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.

A program for prevention of health problems includes the following steps: 1. Watch the animals closely for signs of illness. 2. Use the best feeding and management practices possible to prevent problems before 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 putting them 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 animals are 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 diseases and parasites.`

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

Biosecurity Security 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.

Biosecurity Security 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 nutrition Better 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 treatment Early 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)

Culling Culling 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 predation Predation accounted for 37 Control predation Predation 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

Fencing Predator 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 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.

Mastitis 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.

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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