PNEUMONIA IN SHEEP & GOATS

October 19, 2020

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PNEUMONIA IN SHEEP & GOATS

 Pneumonia is a common and serious problem of Sheep and Goats of all ages.
 Pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue with multiple causes.
 A number of different types of pneumonia complexes affect Sheep and Goats. Many times, a combination of viral and bacterial agents infect the lungs
 In younger animals, various bacteria, viruses and parasites of the upper and lower respiratory tract are often involved in the development of pneumonia.
 In adults, these same “disease – causing agents” can create pneumonia.
 In Sheep, a systemic virus known as Ovine Progressive Pneumonia virus (OPPV) can play an important role. In Goats, a similar systemic virus, the Caprine Arthritis and Encephalitis Virus (CAEV), can cause pneumonia. OPPV and CAEV viruses can affect multiple organs ( lungs,brain, udder & joints)
 In certain climates, parasites ( worms ) can travel from the gastrointestinal tract to the lungs, causing pneumonia.

CONDITIONS THAT PREDISPOSE TO PNEUMONIA
All ages

• Overcrowding
• poor ventilation of Sheds
• Poor sanitation – urine and feces can release gases that harm the respiratory tract, and
wet bedding can cause the animals to become chilled.
• Excessive dust
• Wide variation in environmental temp like cold nights followed by warm days
• High humidity
• Stress: like Transport, birthing, lactation, weaning, and fighting other diseases Young animals

• Insufficient feeding of Colostrum
• Bottle feeding – causing milk to run down the windpipe into the lungs.

Adults

• Infection with the OPP or CAE virus

IS PNEUMONIA CONTAGIOUS ?

It depends on the causative bacteria and / or viruses involved.
Most viral diseases are contagious ( including the OPP and CAE viruses)
Certain bacteria can be transmitted from animal to animal in respiratory secretions.
Many of these bacteria reside in low numbers in the mouth and nose of normal, healthy animals. When one or more of the causative conditions listed above occur, these normal bacteria can increase in number rapidly and invade the lungs to cause pneumonia.
Pneumonia can be viewed as both a contagious and as a disease that can arise from the animal’s own bacteria ( most common )
SIGNS OF PNEUMONIA

• Dullness: The earliest sign is dullness – the affected l is less active and alert than normal.
• Fever –A rectal temperature above 103.5 C- degrees F may be indicative of pneumonia .
• Coughing : Moist & painful
• Thick, whitish nasal discharge
• Rapid or labored breathing
• Falling behind from the flock while walking for grazing

TREATMENT

• There are no medicines available for treatment of viral infections in Sheep or Goats.

• Veterinarian shall recommend certain antibiotics
a. to treat an existing bacterial pneumonia, or
b. to prevent bacteria from causing pneumonia as a complication to a viral infection. Pneumonia caused by parasites shall be treated with Dewormers. Some improvement might be seen with antibiotic treatment ( because the bacteria may infect the tissues damaged by the parasites ). Infection with the OPP or CAE viruses results in a life-long infection that the animal’s immune system cannot cure. However, infected animals can survive if they are well cared for.

PREVENTION Prevention requires a clear understanding of the role of the causative conditions in development of this disease.

• Inspect for any of the predisposing conditions listed above and correct them.
• Ensure dry bedding
• Ensure balanced feed
• Ensure Clean water
• Ensure fresh Air
• Vaccination against Pasteurella
• Proper & periodic Deworming