leeroy mupariri
Sheuneni Kurasha
Farmer’s Diary
Pneumonia and foot rot are significant health concerns affecting goats and sheep, often leading to serious welfare issues and economic losses in livestock farming.
Both conditions require proactive management and awareness of risk factors to prevent outbreaks.
This week’s article articulates the causes, symptoms, treatment, and preventive measures for pneumonia and foot rot and offers practical advice for farmers to keep their animals healthy.
Pneumonia in goats and sheep
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition affecting the lung tissue, commonly caused by respiratory system infections.
In goats and sheep, pneumonia can occur at any age and is often linked to various bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
In young animals, bacteria such as Pasteurella and Mycoplasma, viruses like respiratory syncytial virus, and lung worms can all contribute to pneumonia.
In older animals, these pathogens may still cause pneumonia, especially if other health issues weaken the immune system.
A notable cause of pneumonia in goats is the Caprine Arthritis and Encephalitis Virus (CAEV), a systemic virus that can impact multiple organs, including the lungs, joints, brain, and mammary glands. While the virus primarily affects goats, sheep are not immune to viral respiratory infections.
Sheep may be affected by viruses such as Maedi-Visna, which targets the lungs and central nervous system.
Risk factors and predisposing conditions
There are certain environmental and management factors that significantly increase the risk of pneumonia. Key risk factors include:
(i) Poor ventilation and overcrowding: When animals are kept in overcrowded and poorly ventilated housing, the build-up of ammonia from urine and faeces irritates the respiratory tract, making it easier for infections to take hold.
(ii) Wet bedding and cold temperatures: Moisture in bedding not only leads to cold stress but promotes bacterial growth. Combined with fluctuating temperatures, such as cold nights followed by hot days, can predispose animals to respiratory infections.
(iii) Stress from transportation or weaning: High-stress periods, including moving animals or weaning young ones, weaken the immune system and increase the likelihood of developing pneumonia.
(iv) Nutritional deficiencies: Lack of adequate nutrition, especially the failure of newborns to receive sufficient colostrum, can compromise the immune system, making young animals more vulnerable.
Recognising symptoms
Early detection of pneumonia is crucial for managing the disease and preventing its spread.
Symptoms can vary but generally include:
(i) Dullness or lethargy: Affected animals may appear less active or isolated from the flock.
(ii) Elevated body temperature: A fever is typically present, with rectal temperatures exceeding 39.4 to 39.7 degrees Celsius.
(iii) Coughing and nasal discharge: The cough may be accompanied by thick, dark nasal discharge, which indicates a bacterial component.
(iv) Difficulty breathing: Rapid or laboured breathing and lagging behind the herd are common signs.
Treatment and prevention
Since viral pneumonia has no direct treatment, supportive care is crucial. Antibiotics may be prescribed by veterinarians to treat secondary bacterial infections or prevent bacterial complications in cases of viral pneumonia. Anti-inflammatory medications may also help reduce fever and discomfort.
Prevention is the most effective approach, focusing on environmental management and husbandry practices such as the following:
(i) Improve housing conditions: Ensure barns or shelters are well-ventilated to minimise the build-up of harmful gases. Maintain dry bedding and control moisture levels.
(ii) Minimise stress: Avoid overcrowding and reduce stress during transportation. Gradual weaning and nutritional supplementation can also help.
(iii) Regular health checks: Monitor the herd frequently to detect early signs of illness and isolate sick animals promptly to reduce disease spread.
(iv) Vaccinations: In areas where respiratory infections are common, vaccination programmes against specific pathogens can help reduce the incidence of pneumonia.
Foot rot in goats and sheep
Foot rot is a contagious bacterial infection of the hooves that affects sheep and goats, causing significant lameness and discomfort. The condition is caused by the interaction of two bacteria: Dichelobacter nodosus, which initiates infection, and Fusobacterium necrophorum, which exacerbates inflammation and tissue damage.
The bacteria thrive in moist, muddy, or damp environments, making wet conditions a significant risk factor.
Symptoms of foot rot
Early identification of foot rot is essential for effective treatment. The primary signs include:
(i) Lameness or limping: Infected animals often struggle to walk due to pain.
(ii) Inflammation and foul smell: The space between the hooves becomes swollen and red and emits a foul odour.
(iii) Hoof damage: Advanced cases lead to significant hoof separation, with the sole and wall detaching from the underlying tissue.
Treatment procedures
Effective treatment of foot rot involves a combination of hygiene practices, hoof care, and medical intervention:
(i) Quarantine affected animals: Isolating infected animals prevents the spread of bacteria to healthy individuals.
(ii) Hoof trimming: Regular hoof trimming reduces the accumulation of mud and debris. For infected animals, trimming can help remove necrotic tissue and promote healing.
(iii) Foot-baths and soaks: Foot-baths containing zinc sulphate or copper sulphate help disinfect hooves. These should be used according to veterinary guidance, as prolonged exposure can cause skin irritation.
(v) Antibiotic therapy: Severe cases may require antibiotics, which should be used under veterinary supervision to ensure correct dosage and application.
(vi) Maintain dry and clean kraals: Keeping the living environment dry and well-maintained reduces the risk of re-infection and prevents the spread of bacteria.
Preventive measures
Preventing foot rot is much more manageable than dealing with an outbreak. Key preventive strategies include the following:
(i) Environmental management: Avoid wet or muddy areas where animals congregate. Providing dry bedding and well-drained paddocks can help keep hooves healthy.
(ii) Routine hoof care: Regularly trimming hooves, particularly in animals kept in pens rather than grazing, prevents overgrowth and damage.
(iii) Vaccination programmes: In regions where foot rot is endemic, vaccines can boost immunity against specific strains of the bacteria.
Combined management strategies
Managing pneumonia and foot rot involves a holistic approach to livestock care, addressing housing, nutrition, health monitoring, and stress management. Farmers should ensure that their animals are kept in clean and dry conditions and provided with adequate nutrition to support a healthy immune system.
Biosecurity measures
Effective biosecurity can help control the spread of infectious diseases in small ruminant herds:
(i) Quarantine new arrivals: Introduce new animals gradually to the herd after a quarantine period to ensure they are disease-free.
(ii) Use dedicated equipment: Avoid sharing equipment between different groups of animals or disinfect it thoroughly between uses.
(iii) Regular disinfection: Keep feeding and watering areas clean, and periodically disinfect pens to reduce the build-up of harmful pathogens.
Conclusion
Pneumonia and foot rot are prevalent health concerns that can significantly affect not only the welfare of goats and sheep but also the profitability of the business. Farmers need to be vigilant in understanding the causes, recognising the symptoms early, and implementing effective treatment and prevention strategies to reduce the incidence of these conditions.
Priority should be given to prevention through good husbandry practices, proper environmental management, and routine health monitoring.
Sheuneni Kurasha is the managing director of Chivara Farm, a diversified farming operation, which specialises in stud breeding for small livestock (Boer goats, Kalahari Red goats, Savanna goats, dairy goats (Saanen and Toggenburg), Damara sheep and Meatmaster sheep) as well as Boran cattle. For feedback, kindly get in touch by email: kurashas@gmail.com; X: @chivarafarm or WhatsApp: +263 77 2874 523.
