Sheep weight loss

History

·    How many animals affected?

·    What aged animals?

·    How long been going on for?

o  Acute?

o  Chronic?

·    Still eating?

·    Other clinical signs/signs of disease?

o  Respiratory disease? – cough, incr. RR, nasal d/c = OPA

o  Mastitis? – MV, CLA

o  Lameness? – MV

o  Abortions? Reduced reproductive performance? – Haemonchus contortus, abortion + poor fertility = BD

o  Scour? – PGE

·    Any known diseases, e.g. iceberg diseases?

·    Worming protocol?

·    Recent diet/management changes?

·    Any deaths? – PGE, OPA

Investigation

Clinical examination of affected animals:

·    TPR

·    Pale mucous membranes – anaemia = Haemonchus contortus

·    Assess BCS

·    LN palpation – enl. LNs = CLA

·    Submandibular oedema – Haemonchus contortus

·    Poor fleece quality – fluke

Further examination:

·    Blood sample for haematology and biochemistry – low albumin = Johne’s, low albumin + globulin = fluke

·    Thoracic U/S – OPA

·    Blood sample for ELISA – MV, fluke

·    PM exam – granulated/inflamed intestine = Johne’s, anaemic liver or calcified bile ducts = fluke

Causes

Iceberg diseases:

·    Maedi visna

·    CLA

·    OPA

·    Border disease

·    Ovine Johne’s disease

Other infectious disease:

·    PGE – Teladorsagia, trichostrongylus

·    Haemonchus contortus

·    Liver fluke

Non-infectious:

·    Broken mouth, dental disease

·    Lameness

·    Nutritional, e.g. dietary deficiency

·    Toxins – ingested plant toxins, copper toxicity