Diseases and Factors of Pre-weaning Mortality in Kids/Lambs at Farm
Hardeep Kalkal, Mahavir Chaudhari2, Vikram jakhar3
1Extension Specialist, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sirsa (CCS HAU, Hisar), 2 Extension Specialist, Pashu Vigyan Kendra, Sirsa, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, 3 Assistant Professor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana
Kids/lambs mortality is the major challenge that is faced at goat and sheep farm. Major losses are experienced in kids and lambs, therefore, it is imperative to look at management practices to reduce various diseases and responsible factors for kids mortality. The level of mortality in new born kids and lambs can be quite high as compared to other species. There are various factors/diseases responsible for mortality of kids is essential to monitor at farm to make it profitable are as follows:
Common diseases/factors and their prevention:-
- Hypothermia (Low body temperature): In order to prevent hypothermia add equal amount of boiled water to a 40% glucose solution, then allow it to cool to about 390 C and then inject it. Glucose injection should never be given sub cut as this may cause severe irritation. Lamb should be laid on a rack or inside a box and warm air is provided by the fan heater so that temperature inside the box is increased and also there is opening and closing of lid in a box to ensure that lamb does not overheat.
- Watery mouth: Adequate colostrum should be provided. All lamb and kid should receive 50ml/kg/lamb of colostrum or colostrum substitute within 1sthour of life.
- Lamb dysentery: Effective prevention of lamb dysentery is achieved through vaccination of ewes, using a multi component vaccine containing toxoids of Clostridium perfringens type B in an adjuvant.
- Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli: It depends on strict hygiene, ensuring adequate early colostrum intake and immediate isolation of sick lambs.
- Cryptosporidiosis: Anti-coccidial agents should be used for the treatment and prevention.
- Coccidiosis: Coccidiosis in sheep and goats is caused by coccidia of the genus Eimeria that invade the cells of the intestinal wall. The developing stages of the parasites live in the lining of the intestine and destroy parts of it. This results in scours, which might result in bloody diarrhea. Animals that are severely harmed become wasteful, cease to grow, and may even pass away. Coccidiosis is a disease that sheep and goats contract by consuming feed and water that has been tainted with the excrement of diseased animals. Therefore, in conditions of intensive husbandry, the prevalence of clinical coccidiosis in young lambs and children rises. Young or previously unexposed sheep/goats are the most susceptible, particularly at times of stress-for example, at weaning. Poor nutrition, lack of shelter, overcrowding and excessive handling are predisposing factors. Overcrowding in damp conditions, where feed and water are liable to fecal contamination, make coccidiosis outbreak more likely.
Prevention and control includes the following:
- Improve management and hygiene of facilities, pastures, pens, and feeding and water sources.
- Minimize weaning stress. If needed, creep feed to adjust the kids to a new diet prior to weaning.
- Consult the veterinarian about using a medicated feed containing a coccidiostat, such as monensin, or decoquinate.
- Avoid keeping animals in moist areas without direct sunlight.
- Anticipate possible outbreaks during severe weather and post-weaning.
7. Mycoplasmosis: Mycoplasmosis, also known as contagious agalactiae (CA), is one of the most costly diseases for the dairy goat and sheep industry. It is caused by any of the following four agents: Mycoplasma agalactiae, M. mycoides subspecies capri, M. capricolum subspecies capricolum, and M. putrefaciens. Herds and flocks become infected through the introduction of a carrier animal. Once established in a herd/flock, young kids/ lambs become infected while suckling. Adult animals are infected via milker’s hands, milking machines, or possibly by bedding. Other routes of transmission may include aerosols of infective exudates over short distances, and ingestion of contaminated water. The three major symptoms are mastitis, arthritis, and kerato-conjunctivitis. Infected goats and sheep can have severe lameness as a result of the polyarthritis, hot swollen joints, weight loss, and fever. Treatment measures include supportive therapy as well as culling infected animals and systematically pasteurizing the milk fed to kids/ lambs. The prognosis for complete recovery, however, is guarded.
8. Ventilation: Kids/lambs after separation from the dam, ensure an appropriate stocking density to help keep ammonia odours low and air fresh. Ensure ventilation systems are adequate for the size of barn to maintain a continuous flow of fresh air to reduce the spread of respiratory pathogens.
- Deworming and Parasitic management: helminth parasites occur seasonally. This suggests the possibility of strategic use of anthelmintics for control of parasites. However, it must be kept in mind that the agroclimatic conditions widely differ from place to place in India. Therefore, knowledge of the local epidemiology of parasites is essential to devise appropriate control strategies. Generally, flocks (including lambs and kids) should be treated at the beginning of the rainy season to remove adult worms and larvae to reduce pasture contamination during the rainy season, when external environmental conditions are favorable for the development and survival of eggs and larvae. Animals need also be dewormed at the end of the rainy season to remove worms picked during the rainy season to protect animals from the effect of the parasites during the dry season that is characterized by feed shortages. Ewes and does should also be dewormed prior to breeding and approximately two weeks prior to lambing or kidding to help combat the peri parturient egg rise.
- Pneumonia: Pneumonia is one of the most important causes of lamb/kid morbidity and mortality. It is an infectious disease of young lambs/kids especially those born and reared in confinement. The causative organisms exist in the respiratory and digestive tract of many normal sheep and goats. Most newborn lambs/kids are exposed, but do not develop the disease because of antibodies received through colostrum that helps to control the infection. Malnutrition (during the dry season when grazing deteriorates both in quantity and quality), long distance trekking, poor housing (exposing the animals to cold, wind, rain and irritating gases such as ammonia), dust and damp bedding compromise disease resistance and natural defense mechanisms, allowing pneumonia to develop. Excessive heat, tight buildings with inadequate ventilation, weakness from difficult birth, inadequate intake of colostrum, and other stresses all contribute to the incidence of pneumonia in nursing lambs/kids.
- Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE): Caprine arthritis encephalitis is caused by a virus classified as a small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) of the family Retroviridae. The virus negatively impacts the well-being of infected animals and the economy of the goat and sheep industry in many countries of the world. CAE is primarily prevalent in dairy goat breeds but has been diagnosed in meat goats and sheep as well. The main symptoms is Paralysis due to the encephalitis and myelitis (inflammation of central nervous system) tends to be more common in kids between 2 and 6 months of age. The primary mode of transmission for CAE is through the consumption of colostrum and milk from infected does/ewes. There is no cure for CAE. Treatment consists of supportive therapy. Prognosis for the encephalitic form is poor. Infected animals that recover will carry the virus for life.
- Herd health management: Many diseases can be controlled and treated if they are diagnosed and proper treatment is commenced early enough. Health management of the entire herd has considerable impact on mortality of lambs and kids. The flock should be routinely vaccinated against diseases known to be prevalent in the area. Strategic treatments against internal parasites should also be considered. Sick animals must be isolated from the rest of the flock to establish the cause and prevent disease spread. New animals coming to the flock must be managed separately to prevent introduction of diseases.
- Adoption/Fostering: Fostering is the transfer of a lamb/kid from its natural mother to another ewe/doe that rears the lamb/kid as her own. Fostering is needed when a dam dies leaving an orphan which must otherwise be hand-reared, or when a newly lambed/kidded ewe/doe has no surviving lambs while others have triplets. One of the triplets is then fostered onto the ewe/doe having no young.
Conclusions: Management of kids and lambs starts before they are born by providing pregnant animals with a well-balanced ration with ample energy, protein, and minerals. When lambing/kidding occurs, it is important to intervene appropriately to prevent the consequences that can occur due to dystocia. Following birth, ensuring that colostrum is consumed soon after in sufficient quantity, and preventing the development of hypothermia/hypoglycemia to a healthy kid or lamb. It is advised to consult with veterinarian and other advisors to ensure the management of new borns. The first week of life of lambs and kid is the most critical from the survival point of view. Special care should be given to lambs during the first week of life particularly lambs with low birth weight either born singly or as twins. The nutritional and health status of ewes especially during late gestation and at lambing should be given close and special attention. Farmers should be made to understand the need for lambs and kid to have adequate colostrum immediately after they are lambed (24 -36 hours critical). The management of 1–7-day-old lambs as well as the prompt diagnosis and treatment of neonatal conditions is imperative.
