Disease

Categories of affected animals

Symptoms

Control measures

1. Intestinal worms

Young and adult

Deceleration of growth, diarrhoea, loss of weight, hair standing at the end , cough

Sanitary measures

De-worming treatment

2.Soremouth
(contagious ecthyma, scabby mouth, pustular dermatitis, orf)

Young and adult

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.

Treatment is usually unrewarding. The disease will usually run its course in 1 to 4 weeks.

Effective vaccines are available. The vaccine is applied to a woolless area in the inside of the ear or under a leg where it cannot spread to the mouths of other animals. Once the vaccine is used on the premises, it should be continued yearly. Flocks that have not experienced sore mouth should probably not vaccinate for soremouth, since the vaccine introduces the virus to the farm.

3. Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation (or infection ) of the mammary gland (udder) which is usually caused by a bacterial infection. There are two types of mastitis: acute and chronic. The glands of ewes with acute mastitis may be discolored and dark, swollen and very warm. The affected ewe may be reluctant to walk, may hold up one rear foot, and may not permit her lambs to nurse. Ewes with chronic mastitis often go undetected.

Mastitis is usually treated with intramammary infusions of antibiotics, systemic antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. There is no vaccine for mastitis. It is best prevented by good management and sanitation..

4. Brucellosis (Brucella organisms)

Adult

 Abortion in late pregnancy is the feature of the disease, retention of placenta and metritis are common. In ram, , it causes legions in their reproductive organs ( called epididymitis),

Sheep should be tested for brucellosis and isolated or cull the positive animals

5. Coccidiosis

Young and Adult

Diarrhea, anemia, weakness and death have seen in coccidiosis of sheep kids , in old animal milk production is reduced with foetid smell

 Faecal Examination is needed. Sulphamezathine or sulphadimidine 0.2 gm/kg body weight. Amprosol 20% solution 100 mg/kg body weight 4-5 days are effective or zoaquin

6. Foot and Mouth Diseases Virus

Young and Adult

This disease has shown mild effect in adult sheep. Vesicles on the tongue, lips, checks, gums, dental pad and on the skin between claws, occasional blisters on teats and under. Lameness is also seen in adult sheep, Deaths have been observed in young sheep kids.

Isolate the sick sheep and vaccinate the herd at the face of outbreak. Wash the mouth of infected sheep with mild disinfectants like Alum, Potassium permanganate. Apply boroglycerine on the ulcers.

7. Foot rot

Young and adult

Foot rot is one of the most economically devastating  and highly contagious diseases in the sheep industry. It is caused by the interaction of two anaerobic bacteria: Bacteroides nodosus, which can only live in the animal's hoof; and Fusobacterium necrophorum, which is a normal inhabitant of soil and sheep manure.

Foot rot can be controlled and/or eradicated by a combination of hoof trimming, vaccination, foot bathing and soaking and culling. Zinc sulfate is considered to be the most effective foot rot treatment.