Genetic/Congenital Diseases of Sheep and Goats

Border Disease (Hairy Shaker Lambs)

• Togavirus

• Congenital, Contagious & Infectious

Transmission: Border Disease

• Vertical- transplcement

• Horizontal- Direct contact

Clinical Signs: Border Disease

Treatment/Control:

• Identify carriers

• Segregate pregnant, non-infected sheep

• NO treatment

• NO vaccine

Spider lamb Syndrome (Ovine hereditary chondrodysplasia)

• Suffolk, Suffolk X, Hampshire

• Congenital & Genetic

• 2 types of lambs

  • Abnormal at birth

  • Develop abnormalities at 3-8 weeks

Clinical Signs: Spider lamb syndrome

• Appendicular

• Axial

Prevention/Control: Spider Lamb Syndrome

• Carrier rams should be destroyed

• Carrier ewes can be used to produce market lambs

Barber Pole Worm

• Haemonchus contortus

• Common in goats

• Southeastern region of US

Clinical Signs: Barber Pole Worm

• Nematode that lives in the abomasum and intestines

• Anemia

• Bottle jaw (edema under the jaw)

• Diarrhea is rare; hard, dry feces

• Weakness

• Death

Life cycle: Barber Pole Worm

Treatment: Barber Pole Worm

• Increased resistance to parasiticides

• Fenbendazole (Panacur/Safeguard)

• Morantel tartrate (Rumatel)

Control: Barber Pole Worms

• Improve herd, pasture management practices

  • Keep stocking rates low

  • Provide clean water and mineral

  • Keep hay off the ground

  • Use gravel/concrete in the feedlot area to break the worm life cycle

• Incorporate browse plant species when possible

• Use clean feeders and practice good hygiene in pens and pasture

• Use FAMACHA system and fecal exam for monitoring