Posted by Administrator on June 18 2009 20:41

Scrapie is a fatal disease affecting the central nervous system of sheep and goats. It is spread during lambing season when lambs come into contact with infected placentas. While the occurrence of scrapie in the U.S. sheep flock is low, only one in 500 animals and scrapie, it is a disease of regulatory concern. This is because scrapie is a member of a family of diseases called "transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TGE's), which also includes chronic wasting disease (in mule deer and elk), ... [More]

Posted by Dr. Steve Dudley on June 18 2009 11:16

Signs of Campylobacteriosis Pregnant ewes may loose weight and appear unthrifty. Diarrhea may be present. Ewes normally abort late in the pregnancy. Unvaccinated flocks may see 70% abortions. Following abortion, ewes may develop severe uterine infection, with 5% ewe mortality not uncommon. Surviving ewes may become carriers. Prevention of Campylobacteriosis Vaccination of ewes and rams 30 days PRIOR to breeding season and again 60-90 days later. Booster vaccinated animals every ... [More]

Posted by Administrator on June 18 2009 11:13

Also called nutritional muscular dystrophy, nutritional myopathy, and stiff lamb disease White muscle disease is a degeneration of the skeletal and cardiac muscles of lambs. It is caused by a deficiency of selenium, vitamin E, or both and can be a problem wherever selenium levels in the soil are low. Symptoms are stiffness of the hind legs with an arched back and tucked in flanks. Treatment is the administration of selenium and vitamin E by injection. Feed rations should be evaluated to determi... [More]

Posted by Administrator on June 18 2009 11:12

Vaginal prolapses (protrusion of the vagina) are most commonly observed during the last month of pregnancy or shortly after lambing. Many factors have been implicated in the cause of vaginal prolapse, such as hormonal/metabolic imbalances, overfat/overthin body condition, bulky feeds, lack of exercise, dystocia in previous pregnancies, increased abdominal pressure and fetal burden. Prolapses often recur in subsequent pregnancies. The exposed vagina of affected ewes should be washed with soapy di... [More]

Posted by Administrator on June 18 2009 11:10

A uterine prolapse is when the womb is turned inside out and pushed through the birth canal by the abdominal strainings of the ewe. It occurs immediately after lambing and is a life-threatening situation. A prolapsed uterus must be manually forced back into the ewe. The uterus should be cleaned with a warm, soapy, disinfectant solution prior to replacement and should be replaced before the tissues become dry or chilled. Deep sutures are necessary to keep the uterus in place. Affected ewes should... [More]

Posted by Administrator on June 18 2009 10:51

Also called water belly, urolithiasis, and calculosis Urinary calculi is a metabolic disease of wethers and rams characterized by the formation of calculi (stones) within the urinary tract. Blockage of the urethra by calculi causes retention of urine, abdominal pain, distention and rupture of the urethra or bladder. The most common cause of urinary calculi is feeding rations with high phosphorus levels. Grain products tend to be very high in phosphorus relative to calcium, whereas forages have ... [More]

Posted by Administrator on June 18 2009 10:48

Also called spider lamb disease and hereditary chondrodysplasia Spider syndrome is a genetic condition that results in lambs with severe malformations of the skeletal system. These animals have very fine bone , crooked legs and a crooked spinal column , distinct lack of muscular development and usually do not survive to full maturity . The cause of the condition appears to be genetic alteration due to selection for extreme length and height in show sheep. The disease is found predominantly in b... [More]

Posted by Administrator on June 18 2009 10:43

Also called contagious ecthyma, scabby mouth, pustular dermatitis, and orf Soremouth is the most common skin disease affecting sheep. It is a highly contagious viral infection that can also produce painful human infections. The virus causes scab formation on the skin, usually around the mouth, nostrils, eyes, mammary gland and vulva. It first appears as tiny red nodules, usually at the junction of the lips. Effective vaccines are available. The vaccine is applied to a woolless area in the insid... [More]

Posted by Administrator on June 18 2009 10:36

Ryegrass staggers is a disease of grazing animals that causes muscle spasms, loss of muscle control and paralysis. It is caused by a group of toxins that accumulates in the leaf sheaths of perennial ryegrass. The toxins are produced by a native fungus called ryegrass endophyte, Neotyphodium lolii, that grows within the leaves, stems and seeds of perennial ryegrass. Sheep and cattle are most commonly affected but horses, aplaca and deer are also susceptible. Ryegrass staggers has not been recorde... [More]

Posted by Administrator on June 18 2009 10:27

Also called club lamb fungus, wool rot, and lumpy wool Club lamb fungus is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin of sheep. It is especially a problem with show lambs. Club Lamb Fungus is caused by fungus of the genus Trichophyton. Infection occurs when the fungus invades the skin and hair (wool) follicles. Fungal spores are transmitted by contaminated clippers, blankets, combs, bedding, bunks, and pens. Lesions can appear anywhere, however, most are found on the head, neck, and back.... [More]