Sheep & Goat HealthSheep & Goat Health

SUSAN SCHOENIANGoat and Sheep Specialist

Maryland Cooperative Extensionwww.sheepandgoat.com

www.sheep101.info/201/diseasesa-z.htmlwww.sheep101.info/201/diseasesa-z.html

Common Problems

and Solutions

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

Buy from reputable breeders.

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.

Sound Vaccination Program

Clostridial diseasesClostridium perfringins type C & D (overeating disease/enterotoxemia)Clostridium tetani (tetanus)

Vaccinate ewes/does 2-6 weeks before parturition Vaccine lambs/kids at ~6 and ~10 weeks of age Vaccine rams, bucks, and wethers annually

Other diseases you could vaccinate for*

Some types of abortion Soremouth Caseous lymphadenitis (CL) Foot rot Pneumonia E. coli scours Other clostridial diseases Rabies

*Depends on disease prevalence and risk.

Deworming Parasite Control Program

Good management Pasture rest/rotation Alternative forages Zero grazing Mixed species grazing Genetic selection

between and within breeds

Fecal egg counts Monitor pasture contamination Test for drug resistance

Selective deworming

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 Ears or head down (tail down) Poor hair/wool coat Teeth grinding (pain) Dirty hocks, tail, britch (scours) Anemia (barber pole worm) Fever (infection)

normal body temp is 102-103°F Breathing (respiratory) Gait (neurological)

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

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

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

Management Options

Remove dead carcasses and anything else that attracts predators.

Complete confinement. Lamb/kid in confinement. Night penning. Minimize use of high risk pastures. Don’t lamb or kid in remote areas or

large pastures. Change lambing/kidding season.

Fall lambing/kidding tends to reduce predator losses.

Repellents, frightening devices. Aversive conditioning.

Livestock Guardians45% of sheep farms employ livestock guardians.

Guardian dogs (29.6%)Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Akbash, Anatolian Shepherd, Maremma, Mastiff

Llamas (14.2%) (female or gelding, not alpacas)

Donkeys (11.4%) (standard sized, gelding or jenny)

Cattle – “flerd”need to be bonded

Lethal Predator ControlLast resort, but sometimes necessary.

Shooting Trapping (foot hold, snare)

Denning Livestock protection collar* M-44 cyanide injector*

Make sure you know the laws in your state/county.

*Requires assistance of USDA APHIS Wildlife Services

Health problems of sheep and goats

Major health issues Other common

problems A few other diseases Wasting diseases

The major health issues

Internal Parasites Foot rot Diarrhea Respiratory Predation

Goats eating chicory

Internal Parasites # 1 health problem affecting sheep and goats in warm, moist climates.

Stomach/round worms barber pole worm

TapewormsLungwormsLiver FlukesMeningeal worm Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis eimera sp.

Single-cell protozoa that damages the lining of the small intestines, where nutrient absorption occurs.

Can permanently stunt animals. Species-specific Causes scouring, weight loss, and

death in lambs/kids. Stress-induced

NADIS

Coccidiosis eimera sp.

Diagnosis Fecal oocyte counts are of limited

diagnostic value. Treatment (requires extra label drug use)

Corid (Amprolium) Sulfa drugs

Prevention Good sanitation Avoid overcrowding Use of coccidiostats in feed,

mineral, or water (before hand) Bovatec® (lasalocid) ** Rumensin® (monensin)* Deccox® (Decoquinate) ** Corid (lower dose than treatment)

* Toxic to equines. ** Do not feed to equines.

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/coccidtable.html

Foot rotOne of the most economically devastating diseases in the sheep/goat industry.

Highly contagious. Caused by the interaction of two

anaerobic bacteria:1) Bacteroides nodosus

in sheep/goat’s hoof (can only survive 10-14 days)

2) Fusobacterium necrophorum in soil and manure (always)

Lameness is symptom. Gets in hoof. Has characteristic foul odor. Treat with aggressive hoof trimming,

foot baths/soaks, antibiotics, moving to dry area, vaccination, and culling.

Most people BUY foot rot!

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/sheep/410-028/410-028.html

Foot Scald (is not foot rot)interdigital dermatitis, benign foot rot, non-virulent foot rot

Not contagious. An infection between the toes.

No involvement of the hoof. Caused by Fusobacterium

necrophorum, the bacteria that is always present on sheep and goat farms.

Activated by damp, muddy conditions; goes away when it’s dry.

Can treat/control with foot baths/soaks, moving to a dry area.

Environmental

Diarrhea (scours)An increased frequency, fluidity, or volume of fecal excretion.

Infectious Viral Bacterial

E.coli, salmonella Protozoa

coccidia, cryptosporidia Non-infectious

Parasites Nutrition Management Stress

Often a symptom of other problems. Often self-limiting. Determine cause! Treatment: rehydration, antibiotics (if fever), antidiarrheal drugs (pepto-

bismal, kaopectate, immodium), probiotics (yogurt).

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/scours.html

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Respiratory Problems

Respiratory complex: pasteurella sp., mycoplasma, chlamydia, Parainfluenza type 3 virus, etc.

Pasteurella sp. most common agent.

Characterized by high fever (106-108°F)

May result in lung abscesses at slaughter.

Poor ventilation is a leading cause of respiratory problems.

Treat with antibiotics

Other causes: OPP, lungworms, nasal bots, ketosis, acidosis

Other Common Problems

NutritionalReproductiveSkin

Nutritional / Metabolic

Pregnancy toxemia Milk fever Enterotoxemia Floppy kid syndrome Acidosis Urinary calculi Polioencephalomalacia Listeriosis Bloat Copper-related Selenium-related

EnterotoxemiaOvereating disease, pulpy kidney disease

Usually occurs in lambs/kids that are consuming large amounts of concentrate, but may also occur on pasture and with heavy milking dams

Type C - 0-30 days Type D - >30 days

Predisposed by abrupt change in feed. Treatment (anti-toxin) is usually unrewarding. Prevention

Vaccination of pregnant dams and offspring*

Avoid sudden changes in dietdon’t let creep feed run out

Low level feeding of antibiotics Plenty of feeder space

Caused by bacteria, clostridium perfringins type C & D

Usually affects fastest growing lambs/kids. It is not uncommon to find them dead, with no prior symptoms.

*Vaccine is not as effective in goats.

Floppy kid syndromeFirst documented in 1987

Affects kids between 3 and 10 days of age (normal at birth)

Most common late in kidding season.

Causes muscle weakness, ataxia.

Cause unknown, but suspected to be gastro-intestinal, a metabolic acidosis.

Treat with sodium bicarbonate and supportive therapy.

(Lactic) AcidosisGrain overload, grain poisoning

Caused by excessive consumption of concentrates/grain which changes acidity of rumen.

Treat with antacids, sodium bicarbonate.

Prevent with proper feed management. Introduce and increase grain

slowly in diet. Feed whole grains, grains that

digest slower Include forage in diet. Split grain feedings; feed forage

first. Buffering agents.

Urinary CalculiWater belly, urolithiasis, calculosis, kidney stones

Blockage of urethra by calculi (stones) causes retention of urine.

Wethers are most prone (early castration).

Treatment depends upon severity of condition.

Usually caused by too much phosphorus in the diet, i.e. an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in the ration (< 1:1).

Urinary CalculiWater belly, urolithiasis, calculosis, kidney stones

Proper ration balancing Ca:P ratio should be at least 2:1. Legumes are a good source of calcium. Cereal grains have a poor ratio of Ca:P. Commercial feeds are balanced for Ca

and P. Do not add anything to balanced

rations. Ground limestone can be added to the

ration as a source of calcium. Free choice minerals do not ensure

proper intake of minerals. Adequate water intake important Salt in ration

(0.5% ammonium chloride in diet)

PolioencephalomalaciaPEM, polio, cerebrocortical necrosis

Affects the central nervous system.

Mimics other neurological conditions.

Caused by a thiamin (Vitamin B1) deficiencynot insufficient thiamine, but the inability to utilize it

Symptoms: blindness, star gazing.

Usually occurs in animals on high concentrate diets, but may also occur on pasture.

Treat with thiamine injections.

Listerioiscircling disease

Occurs 4-6 weeks after bacteria is consumed.

Results in neurological symptoms: depression, disorientation, head tilt, facial paralysis, walking in circles.

Most commonly associated with the feeding of moldy silage.

High mortality; uterine form causes abortion.

Non-contagious. If recognized early, treatment

with high doses of antibiotics can be effective.

Caused by bacteria Listeria monocytogenes

BloatOccurs when rumen gas production > rate of gas elimination.

Pasture/frothy – caused by consumption of legumous forages (alfalfa and clover), lush cereal grain pastures, wet grass, or finely ground grain.

Treat with anti-foaming agent, mineral or vegetable oil.

Prevent with good grazing management and poloxalene.

Limit legume content of pastures to 50% or less.

Consider non-bloating legumes (birdsfoot trefoil, lespedeza)

Feedlot/free gas – associated with grain feeding

Treat by passing stomach tube; rumenotomy in life threatening situations.

Copper-relatedCopper has important role in fertility and health.

Copper toxicity(more common, esp. sheep)

Caused by too much copper in diet or not enough molybdenum (and/or sulfur).

For sheep, there is a narrow range between Cu requirements and toxicity levels.

Goats need and tolerate higher levels of copper in their diet.

Copper deficiency Anemia, ataxia Swayback Steely, stringy wool

Selenium-relatedSelenium and Vitamin E are interrelated.

Inadequate Se can affect growth, reproduction, immunity.

White muscle disease Degeneration of the skeletal and cardiac

muscles Caused by a deficiency of selenium,

vitamin E, or both Can be a problem wherever selenium

levels in the soil are low

Preventing/treating problems Vitamin E/Selenium supplementation in

feed, mineral mix, or via injections Treat with Vitamin E/Se injections Be careful when giving Se: it is more

toxic than other trace minerals.

Reproductive Problems

Abortion Dystocia Metabolic: pregnancy toxemia and milk fever Mastitis Vaginal and uterine prolapses

AbortionTermination of pregnancy or birth of weak or deformed lambs or kids that die shortly after birth.

Bacterial Chlamydia

Enzootic Abortion, EAE Vibriosis

Vibrio campylobacter Leptospirosis Salmonella

Viral Cache Valley Virus

(mosquito vector) Protozoa

Toxoplasmosiscaused by protozoa that causes coccidiosis in cats

The organisms that cause abortion in ewes/does can cause abortion in women.

Dealing with an abortion stormOver 5% of herd/flock – seek veterinary assistance

Prevent spread of infectious agents. Strict sanitation. Disposal of infective

material. Isolation of aborting

females. Submit proper samples

to a diagnostic lab. Blood sampling. Immediate vaccination. Use of antibiotics.

The organisms that cause abortion in ewes/does can cause abortion in women.

Preventing abortion storms

Maintain a closed flock/herd.

Vaccination Low level feeding of

antibiotics. Prevent contamination of

feed and water. Control cat population. Avoid stressful,

overcrowded, and/or unsanitary conditions.

Feed Rumensin® or Deccox®.

The organisms that cause abortion in ewes/does can cause abortion in women.

Dystocia (difficult births)New Zealand study showed that dystocia accounted for 50% of newborn lamb deaths.

Abortion – dead or dewormed babies

Abnormal presentation of fetus(es)

Unusually large fetus Small pelvic area Fat mama Vaginal prolapse Ring womb – failure of

cervix to dilate

Dystocia (difficult births)New Zealand study showed that dystocia accounted for 50% of newborn lamb deaths.

Know when to assist Straining for over an hour

with no progress. Know how to assist

Be clean and gentle. Use plenty of lubricant. Determine presentation/

problem. Have ewe/doe stand or

elevate her hindquarters. Use antibiotic on any

ewe/doe you assist. Call a veterinarian or

experienced shepherd if you have worked on a ewe/doe for more then 30 minutes with no progress.

Pregnancy toxemiaketosis, twin lamb disease, lambing paralysis, hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar caused by an inadequate intake of energy during late gestation.

Breakdown of fat produces toxic ketone bodies.

Mostly commonly affects fat, thin, old, and/or females carrying multiple births.

Symptoms: lethargy, sluggishness, lack of appetite, poor muscle control, inability to rise.

Treatment is to increase blood sugar by giving glucose orally, sub-Q, or IV. C-section in extreme cases.

Prevent by providing enough energy in diet and providing adequate feeder space.

Milk Feverhypocalcemia, parturient paresis

Low blood calcium Caused by inadequate intake of

calcium during late pregnancy or inability to mobilize calcium reserves prior to or after parturition.

Similar symptoms as pregnancy toxemia.

Can occur before or after parturition.

Treat with commercial calcium solutions sub-Q or IV.

Prevent by providing proper amount of calcium in diet.

Don’t under or overfeed calcium.Save alfalfa hay for lactation. Feed mixed hay in late gestation.

ProlapsesMore common in sheep than goats.

Three kindsVaginal

tends to repeatgenetic component

Uterinenot genetic**life-threatening

Rectal(not usually reproductive)Risk factors: sex, diet, genetics, health, and length of tail dock.

Uterine

Vaginal

Rectal

Prolapses have many predisposing factors/causes.

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/rectalprolapse.html

MastitisA major reason for culling ewes (46%)

Inflammation of the udder Usually caused by bacteria

Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Pasteurella sp., and coliforms, such as E. coli.

Acute, chronic, or sub-clinical. Both halves - could be OPP. Treat with antibiotics

Systemic Intramammary

Prevention Good sanitation Proper management at weaning. Dry cow treatment Later weaning Cull females with “lumpy” udders.

Diseases affecting the skin

SoremouthRingwormExternal parasites

Soremouthcontagious ecthyma, contagious pustular dermatitis, scabby mouth, orf

Most common skin disease of sheep and goats.

Caused by a virus from the pox family.

Causes lesions on mouth, lips, nostrils (teats, scrotum).

Problematic during lambing/ kidding season and if you show/exhibit.

Normally runs its course in 1 to 4 weeks.

Very contagious, including to people (orf).

There is a live vaccine for it. (don’t vaccinate if you’ve never had it).

Ringwormclub lamb fungus, lumpy wool, wool rot

Fungal disease Usually occurs in

show lambs. Results in hair loss,

scabs, lesions, and pustules.

Contagious, to humans as well.

Treat with fungicides.

External parasitesEndoparasites

Keds (sheep tick)TicksLiceMitesBlowflies/maggotsNasal bots

Keds, ticks, lice, (mange) mites

Treat with insecticides – dip, spray, or pour- on.

Some anthelmintics are effective against biting parasites (e.g. ivermectin)

Clean, dry environment

FlystrikeMyiasis

Caused by parasitic dipterous fly larvae feeding on the host’s necrotic or living tissue.

Occurs when flies lay eggs in moist wool or open wound or break in the skin.

Can cause death. Prevent by proper

docking, mulesling, and insecticide treatments.

Treat with insecticide applications.

Nasal BotsHead bot, sheep bot, Oestrus ovis

Occurs when female fly lays batches of newly hatched larvae in sheep or goat’s nostrils.

6-month life cycle. May be 2 generations per year.

Symptoms: sneezing, coughing, jerky movements of head.

Can cause bacterial infections and reduce performance.

Treat with ivermectin sheep drench.

A few other interesting health issues

Hypothermia and StarvationTetanusPinkeyeEntropionSpider lamb diseaseEpididymitis

Hypothermia and Starvationmost common causes of lamb and kid mortality

Starvation - #1 cause of death Make sure dam has milk and

lets lambs/kids nurse Make sure lambs/kids

consume adequate colostrum (check bellies).

A well-fed lamb/kid stretches when it rises.

Mild hypothermia (99-101º F) Dry and warm up lamb/kid Tube feed colostrum, if

necessary Severe hypothermia (<99º F)

Intra peritoneal injection of 20% dextrose

Slowly warm up lamb/kid Feed colostrum by stomach

tube

Tetanuslock jaw

Clostridial disease, in soil on most farms

Usually related to docking and castrating, especially by elastrator bands

Oxygen-starved tissues are ideal for tetanus organism

Any puncture wound can harbor the tetanus organism.

Symptoms: stiffness caused by muscle contractions.

Treatable in early stages with antitoxin. Prevent with vaccination

Vaccinate ewe/doe with tetanus toxoid prior to parturition OR

Vaccinate lamb/kid with tetanus antitoxin at time of docking, castrating, disbudding to provide immediate temporary immunity.

Pink eyekeratoconjunctivitis

Most common causes are mycoplasma and chlamydia. Different agent than affects cattle Highly contagious Usually runs its course in ~ 3 weeks Treat with topical and systemic antibiotics

EntropionInverted eyelid

Lower eyelid is inverted, causing the eyelashes of the lower lid to brush against the eye

Causes irritation and tearing Treat with antibiotics or staples,

sutures, or clips Heritable trait – don’t use rams or

bucks with this trait.

Infovets.com

Spider lamb diseaseovine hereditary chondrodysplasia

Genetic defect causing skeletal deformities.

Inherited as a genetic recessive disorderSS - normal sheep

Ss - normal sheep (but carrier)

ss - spider lamb

DNA TestingWhite pedigree – ancestors have not produced spider lambsGray pedigree – ancestors have produced spider lambs

Epididymitis

Venereal disease of rams/bucks caused by Brucella ovis.

Contagiousmale to female, male to male

Inflammation of the tip of the epididymis.

Causes varying degrees of damage – infertility.

Only half of rams respond to antibiotic treatment.

Damage is permanent. Prevention – buy disease-

free or virgin males, test and cull, vaccinate.

Epididymis

Epididymis functions in the transport and storage of sperm cells produced in the testicles.

testicletesticle

Wasting Diseases

Viral (retroviruses)Similar to aids virus

Ovine progressive pneumonia (OPP) Caprine Arthritic Encephalitis (CAE)

Bacterial Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) Johne’s Disease

Prion Scrapie

Caseous lymphadenitis (CL or CLA)cheesy gland, boils, abscesses

Internal (sheep) and external (goats) abscesses.

Pus in external abscess is initially pale green; becomes thicker in sheep.

Usually affects animals > 6 months of age.

Animals with internal form show weight loss and poor productivity, and may exhibit mastitis, respiratory distress, chronic cough or neurological deficits.

Internal form is a leading cause of sheep carcass condemnation.

Treatment: lance abscess and flush with iodine solution.

Caused by bacteria Corynbacterium pseudotuberculosis

Zoonotic potential - ???

Caseous lymphadenitis (CL or CLA)cheesy gland, abscesses, boils

Controlling/eradicating CLA Separate or cull affected

animals Practice good hygiene and

management. Purchase from CLA-free

flocks/herds. Vaccination can reduce

severity of disease. Do not vaccinate naïve

flocks/herds

Caused by bacteria Corynbacterium pseudotuberculosis

Caprine Arthritic Encephalitis (CAE)

Retroviral infection of goats which may lead to chronic disease of joints and encephalitis (rare) in young kids.

Similar to OPP in sheep. CAE virus is primarily

transmitted to kids through colostrum.

Contact transmission is rare, but possible.

No treatment or vaccine is available.

Caprine Arthritic Encephalitis (CAE)

Control/eradicate CAE A positive blood test

means the goat has antibodies for the virus.

Cull seropositive goats from the herd.

Separate kids from dams and feeding kids artificially.

Buy from CAE-free herds.

Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP)Maedi-Visna

A slowly progressive viral disease caused by an ovine lentivirus.

Similar to CAE. Sheep are infected for life. Some breeds more susceptible Primary means of transmission

is through the ingestion of infected colostrum and milk.

Contact transmission possible. Symptoms

Loss of body condition, “thin ewe syndrome”

Increased breathing at rest Fever, cough, lethargy, nasal discharge Hard bag

No treatment or vaccine

26% of the sheep in the United States are infected with the OPP virus

Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP)

Control/eradicate OPP Test and remove all

seropositive sheep every six months until three consecutive negative tests are achieved.

Presence of antibodies is not indicative of immunity

Most infected sheep never show symptoms, but serve as carriers of the disease.

Separate lambs from infected ewes and rear them artificially.

Buy OPP-free breeding stock.

Johne’s Disease paratuberculosis

Cattle, sheep, and goat strains

Environmental transmission

Symptoms Emaciation, wasting

disease Profuse, watery diarrhea

seen in cattle is not common in sheep/goats

Caused by bacteria Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

Victoria, Australia

Small intestine

Ohio State Universitywww.johnes.org

Johne’s Disease

Difficult to diagnose. No treatment. Difficult to control. Prevention

Maintain a closed flock/herd Be careful with cow colostrum Testing less reliable in

sheep/goats Vaccination may lower the

number of clinical cases Theoretical link to Crohn’s

disease in people.

Ohio State Univ.

Small intestine

ScrapieGoal is to eradicate by 2010 and for U.S. to be declared scrapie-free by 2017

Fatal disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats.

Neurological symptoms: Intense itching Behavior changes Lack of coordination Gait abnormalities Tremors

Transmitted via infected placenta. Males not considered to be a risk. Can be spread by infected feed. Contact/environmental

transmission ??? Clinical signs appear 2 to 5 years

(or later) after the animal has been infected.

ScrapieGoal is to eradicate by 2010 and for U.S. to be declared scrapie-free by 2017

In sheep, susceptibility is determined by genetics.

Resistant genotypes have not been found it goats – yet.

Low incidence in USA 1/500 sheep. 90% in Suffolk/black face sheep. 15 goat cases since 1990

Only Australia and New Zealand are considered scrapie-free.

Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE).

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE)

Many TSE’s Theoretical link between

scrapie and mad cow disease and between mad cow and new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in people.

Always fatal. Infective agent believed to be

a prion, abnormal protein. Long incubation periods. Diagnosis post-mortem (brain

tissue). Massive regulations Massive research Many theories

Scrapie EradicationGoal is to eradicate scrapie by 2010 and or U.S. to be declared scrapie-free by 2017.

Increased slaughter surveillance.

Mandatory identification of sheep and goats in commerce.*

Voluntary scrapie flock certification program.

Recommended for flocks/herds selling breeding stock.

Third eyelid testRectal biopsy

Genotyping for scrapie susceptibility

*Regulations vary by state.

Questions, comments