Goat Farming Tips

Biosecurity

Dear all
We all take different precautionary measures to protect our wealth. Our farm animals are also our wealth  & we must protect them  against diseases. The measure we adopt to protect our farm animals from disease are called Biosecurity. It is a planned integrated approach to reduce disease incidence in a farm. Here are some important biosecurity measures for sheep/goat farm
1-   Control cat, dog ,rodent & insect population inside farm premises as they carry & spread diseases.  Cats should be kept away from sheep & goats  as they are major carrier of toxoplasma which causes  abortion .
2-   Limit visitors into your farm as  disease causing organisms enter farm through their shoes sole. Visitors must disinfect their shoes in antiseptic foot bath before entering in to the farm.
3-   Limit entry of vehicles in to your farm as disease causing organisms enter farm through contaminated  tyre  of the wheel. Disinfect tyres of vehicle entering in to your farm by spraying  a disinfectant liquid.
4-   Feed of sheep & goat should not be moldy. If moldy feed is found in a farm it should be buried.
5-   Deworm your animals at regular interval  after faecal sample examination
6-   Vaccinate your animals against contagious diseases 
7-    Do not mix sick animals with healthy animals. Isolate sick animals in a separate pen.
8-   In case of abortion in ewe/Doe Remove the  dead fetus & placenta immediately  & burry it. The lambing/kidding area should be disinfected with an  antiseptic lotion.
9-   Do not mix newly purchased animals with other farm animals, New animals should be housed separately for 21 days to one month & watched for presence of disease. Trim the feet of newly purchased animals & treat it locally with 10% zinc sulphate.
10-   Do not mix your animals with animals of other farm.
11-   Do not share  your farm equipments with other farmers
12-   Disinfect farm equipments before sharing if it is unavoidable 
13-   Do not allow ewe/doe of other farms to breed with buck/Ram of your farm &  vice versa.
14-   Avoid taking your animals to shows/exhibitions as there is increased chance infection in shows/exhibitions
15-   Conduct post mortem examination by a veterinarian In case of death of a farm animal .If death is due to any  contagious disease  take preventive measures accordingly in consultation  with the Vet.
By taking these biosecurity measures you can reduce disease incidence in your farm & maximize your profit.          Dr.A.K.Kar

Deworming In Sheep & Goats

Dear All
Sheep & goats are  susceptible to worm infection due to their grazing habitat. Deworming is one most important disease prevention measures for them.  Internal  Parasites harbours  in alimentary track & other internal organs(liver ,bile duct etc.) of sheep &  goats. They suck blood , digested nutrients ,damage tissue  & make animals week , emaciated. Helminthes parasites of sheep & goats can be broadly divided in to three Categories Round Worms ,Flukes & Tape Worms. Out of the these  Barber pole worm (Haemonchus) a type of round worm   , is the  most important & dangerous  internal parasites of sheep & goats. In heavy worm infestation animal may die without any symptoms in some other cases death occurs after diarrhea & colic. Worm infestation is more after rainy season. You can follow the following principles for  deworming of your flocks.
i.   Randomly collect fecal sample of 10% animals get it examined to find the parasitic load
ii.   Choose appropriate dewormer in consultation with a veterinarian
iii.   Use appropriate dose (under dose may create drug resistance & over dose may kill your animals) 
iv.    Deworm your animals at least twice in a year.
v.   The first deworming should be conducted before rainy season in the month of June & July. Repeat drenching of drug on 21st day of first deworming .
vi.   The second deworming should be conducted  after rainy season in the month of October.
vii.   Use a drenching gun/ syringe for effective drug delivery
viii.   Conduct fecal sample examination on 10th day of deworming to know the effectiveness of the drug.
ix.   Change  deworming drug every time to prevent drug resistance.
x.   Do not sell your  dewormed animals during  withdrawal period 
                                                                                                  DR.A.K.KAR

Control of coccidiosis in sheep & goat

Dear All
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of sheep & goats .This disease is caused by single cell protozoa Emeria sp .The parasite remains  in small intestine & damage  lining of small intestine. This parasite affects lambs & kids  from 2-6 months of age. Affected lambs and kids suffer from diarrhea stained with blood & mucus. Death occurs in kids & lambs due to dehydration. Some animals do not show any symptoms externally but there is stunted growth. Outbreaks of coccidiosis occurs due to over crowding & poor sanitation. You can follow to following steps to prevent coccidiosis in your farm
1-   Provide adequate floor space to sheep & goats as over crowding is a major cause of the disease
2-   Prevent contamination of feed & water  as adult  sheep & goats are carriers of the parasite. They  shed oocyst  in their feces which is the major source of infection for  kids and lambs.
3-   Preventive dose of coccidiostat can be given to given to kids and lambs in consultation with a veterinarian. Coccidiostart can be mixed with feed as a preventive metod.
4-   Treat the infected animals with  anti coccidial drugs as per prescription of the veterinarian
5-   In case of outbreak clean & disinfect pen daily this will reduce source of infection
                                                                            Dr.A.K.Kar

Control of external parasites in sheep & goats

Dear All
External parasites like Tick, Lice. Mite & fleas & flies reduce profit  & cause economic loss of sheep & goat farmer .They cause following losses to the farmer.
1-They suck blood from animals causing ill health & anemia.
2-They damage the skin for which skin becomes unsuitable for leather & its value reduces greatly.
3-Skin injury causes irritation & discomfort to animals
4-There is loss of wool in case of sheep.
5-They transmit disease 
External parasites can be controlled by Dipping or spraying with insecticides & by good managemental practices. Three to four dipping or spraying is essential every year  for control of these parasites.
The following insecticides are mostly used for control of ecto parasites.
1-Deltametherine (Butox) 2ml/litter of water  Spray or dip
2-Cypermethrin (Ektomin. Cyprol, Tikkil, Tik-out, Pektocide) 1 ml/litter of water for spray or dip. (for flies 5ml/litter animal dip, For spraying animal house 20ml/liter of water is used)
Ivermectin injection (Neomec, Ivomec, Ivectin, Avertin) is also used as sub coetaneous injection at the dose of 0.5ml/25 Kg body weight
Doramectin (Dectomax) 1ml/33Kg Body weight can be used as intramuscular injection.
Precautions:-
1-Read all manufacture warnings & instructions before using insecticide
2-Provide adequate drinking water before Dipping else animal may drink insecticide poisoned water
3-Do not use insecticides on sick, weak animals or animal with damaged skin.
4- Do not use insecticides in kids and lambs up to 6 months age
5-Conduct dipping/Spraying in morning hours 
6-In case of poisoning symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately for treatment Dr.A.K.Kar

Vaccination

Dear All
Vaccination is one import disease prevention measure. Many fatal diseases of sheep & goats can be prevented by timely vaccination. It is the cheapest method of disease control .Vaccination increases immunity of the animal against disease for which they do not suffer from disease even after entry of disease coursing organisms in to the body. It also reduces economic losses associated with illness of animal. I am giving below vaccination schedule for sheep & goats
FOOT & MOUTH DISEASE(FMD):-This viral disease can be prevented by vaccination. First vaccination for FMD is done at 3-4 months age. Booster vaccine is given four months after first  vaccine .This vaccine should be repeated  every six months. Oil adjuvant FMD vaccine can provide  immunity up to one year.
PPR :-(Goat Plague or Peste des Petits Ruminants)  This is a viral disease & is highly fatal. This is the most important disease of sheep & goats as It results in large scale mortality. This disease can be prevented by vaccination. First vaccination is done at four months age & is repeated every 4th Year.
GOAT POX –Vaccination for this viral disease is done at 3-5 months of age .A booster vaccination is given to goats after 3 weeks of first vaccination. Repetition of vaccination is done every year.
SHEEP POX :- Sheep are vaccinated at 3 months of age against the disease. Repetition of vaccination is done every year.
ENTEROTOXAEMIA :- Sheep are more prone to this bacterial disease. First vaccination against the disease is done at 3-4 months age for both sheep & goats. Booster vaccination is done after 15-21days of first vaccination. . Repetition of vaccination is done every year.
HS( Hemorrhagic septicemia):-This is an acute bacterial Disease of sheep & goats. First vaccination against the disease is done at 3-6 months of age & is repeated annually .Vaccination against HS should be done before onset of monsoon.
ANTHRAX :-This is a fatal zoonotic disease of sheep & goats. This disease can spread from animal to man. Vaccination against this disease is done only in endemic areas. First vaccination is done at 4-6 months age & is repeated annually.
                                                                                           DR.A.K.KAR

About Goats

General Information

The domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) is a subspecies of goat domesticated from the wild goat of southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the Bovidae family and is closely related to the sheep, both being in the goat antelope subfamily Caprinae. Domestic goats are one of the oldest domesticated species. For thousands of years, goats have been used for their milk, meat, hair, and skins over much of the world. In the last century they have also gained some popularity as pets. Female goats are referred to as does or nannies (or, less frequently, as mishas), intact males as bucks or billies; their offspring are kids. Castrated males are wethers. Goat meat from younger animals is called kid, and from older animals is sometimes called chevon, or in some areas mutton.    Read more general information about goats.   Getting your first dairy goat Dairy goat production guide for beginners Dairy Character Defined Breeders Directory

Dairy Goats

The American Dairy Goat Association recognizes eight breeds of dairy goats in the USA — Alpine, LaMancha, Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, Oberhasli, Saanen, Sable, and Toggenburg. There are also many minor breeds found here and abroad, including Golden Guernsey, Kinder, Stiefelgeiss, and others. They range in color from light to deep red with black stripes down the forehead and black legs below the knees. The Alpine, Saanen and Toggenburg breeds originated in the French and Swiss Alps and are often referred to as the "Swiss" type breeds. They are very similar in conformation, all having upright ears, straight or slightly dished faces and an alert, graceful, deer-like appearance.

Alpine

The Alpines are composed of several varieties including the most popular French Alpine and the less numerous British, Rock and Swiss Alpines. They are medium to large in size, with color variations from pure white through shades of fawn, gray, brown, black, red buff, and combinations of these colors in the same animal.

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Golden Guernsey

The Golden Guernsey is a rare breed of goat from the Bailiwick of Guernsey on the Channel Islands. They were first brought to Great Britain in 1965 and a sub-breed has evolved known as the British Guernsey. The exact origin of these animals is uncertain but since goat bones have been found in dolmens (a type of Megalithic tomb) as old as 2000 B.C. on the islands, it is likely that the breed began to evolve into its current form about this time.

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LaMancha

The LaMancha is a type of dairy goat noted for its apparent lack of, or much reduced, external ears. The LaMancha breed is medium in size, and is also noted for a generally calm, quiet, and gentle temperament. The LaMancha face is straight, with ears being the distinctive breed characteristic. A Roman nose, that is typically a characteristic of a Nubian goat, is considered a moderate to serious breed defect of the LaMancha goat.

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Nigerian Dwarf

The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature goat of West African origin. Their small stature means they do not require as much space as their larger dairy goat counterparts and their gentle and friendly personalities make them good companion pets. They are easy to handle; even small children can be at ease with these little goats.

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Nubian

The Anglo-Nubian, or simply Nubian in the United States, was developed in Great Britain of native milking stock and goats from the Middle East and North Africa. Its distinguishing characteristics include large, pendulous ears and a "Roman" nose. Due to their Middle-Eastern heritage, Anglo-Nubians can live in very hot climates and have a longer breeding season than other dairy goats.

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Oberhasli

The Oberhasli is a breed of dairy goat from the eponymous district of the Canton of Berne (Switzerland). The name loosely translates as 'highlander'. Oberhasli are a standardized color breed, with warm reddish brown accented with a black dorsal stripe, legs, belly, and face. Occasionally a black Oberhasli appears as a result of recessive genes.

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Saanen

The Saanens are white or light cream in color with white preferred. Spots on the skin are not discriminated against. Small spots of color on the hair are allowable, but not desirable. They are medium to large in size with rugged bone, plenty of vigor yet feminine throughout. The ears should be of medium size and carried erect. A tendency toward a roman nose is discriminated against.

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Sable Saanen

Sables are Saanens that are not white. They come in many colors and combinations and have been a part of the Saanen heritage for as long as there have been Saanens. The first Sables in the US arrived on the same ship with the first Saanens and have been here ever since.

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Toggenburg

The Toggenburg is a breed of goat, named after the region in Switzerland where the breed originated, the Toggenburg valley. Toggenburgs are medium in size, moderate in production, and have relatively low butterfat content (2-3%) in their milk. The color is solid varying from light fawn to dark chocolate with no preference for any shade. They are the oldest known dairy breed of goats.

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Help us grow! If you know your goats, and would like to help us expand the information about any of the listed breeds, or any other dairy goat breed, please contact thewebmaster@dairygoatjournal.com. Thank you!

Vaccination Schedule for Cattle

Vaccination is very important part of any cattle operation. Here is the table for the vaccination schedule for cattle mostly for Pakistan and Indian region.

Month	Cattle &Buffaloes		Sheep & Goat
	Calves upto one year	Adults	Lambs/Kids	Adults
January	FMV & ETV	HSV	ETV	ETV
February	--	FMV & Anthrax	--	Anthrax
March	--	Theliria	--	Pox Vaccine
April	--	Black Quarter	--	FMV
May	FMV & ETV	--	ETV	CCPV
June	HSV	HSV	--	HSV
July	--	--	--	ETV
August	FMV & ETV	FMV & Anthrax	--	Anthrax
September	--	HSV	ETV & FMV	Pox Vaccine
October	--	Rinder Pest	--	FMV
November	--	--	--	CCPV
December	HSV	HSV	--	HSV

FMV= Foot & Mouth Vaccine;        

Enterotoxaemia Vaccine;  

HSV=Hemorrhagic Septicemia Vaccine

CCPV=Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia Vaccine

Osmanabadi Goats

History

Historically this breed is known to have existed on our Deccan Plateau since decades. It is believed that there is not only extensive literature available in our Veterinary Universities of Southern India but also on Internet. The name Osmanabadi goat is derived from their distribution area Osmanabad in Maharashtra, which is located at a distance of 271 Km from Hyderabad. These Goats are reared mainly in 3 southern states of India and are one of the largest contributors to meat production in southern India as their meat is very tasty when compared with local breeds. PerformanceOsmanabadi breed shows a very efficient reproductive performance and resistance against diseases not only in well managed semi stall feeding system but also in severe drought conditions. The age at the first kidding is around 15 months with the lactation length of around 130 days. The dressing percentage varies from 50- 55 %. In favorable conditions the does will breed twice a year, twinning is common and the milk yield ranged form 700 gm to 1500 gm.  In the end the leather of osmanabadi goat is fairly of good quality and its meat is preferred by majority of the rural and urban population in southern India.
DistributionThe breed is spread over the greater part of the central peninsular region, comprising the semi-arid areas of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It covers the Major part of Southern Maharashtra (especially Osmanabad, Beed, Sholapur, Latur, Parbani and Ahmed Nagar Districts) Western Andra Pradesh and North Eastern Karnataka.
CharacteristicsOsmanabadi Goats are mostly medium size animals usually black in color, but in some areas of Maharashtra and Western Andra Pradesh brown or spotted ones can also be seen. Mostly the males (89.5%) are horned and the females may be horned or polled. The ears are medium long with a length of around 18.0 cm and the tail is thin, with a length of around 16.6 cm.                                                    Adult Males          Adult FemalesBody weight (Kg)                       40.6                           30.6Body length (Cm)                       69.12                         67.51Height at withers (Cm)              77.87                         74.79Chest girth (Cm)                        72.06                         72.04
MortalityMortality among kids younger than 3 months and from the age 3 to 6 months is around 8.4 % and 4.8%. The mortality is 6% for the kids aged 6 to 12 months and 3.7% for among adults. If the vaccinations against enterotoxaemia, haemorrhagic septicaemia and PPR, Deworming and spraying against Ecto Parasites are carried out regularly heavy economic losses to the farmers can be avoided.

Breeding SeasonsThe major breeding season of Osmanabadi does is from May to July, followed by August to October and a small number of does also breed from October to March. 

Diseases of sheep and goat

EXAMINATION FOR DISEASE AND PARASITES

Purpose : Identification of animals in the early stages of sickness can aid the farm manager in restricting the spread of disease in the flock and initiating treatment at the earliest.

A.  Spotting of sick animals

Sl. no.	Parameter	Healthy animal		Sick animal
		Sheep	Goat
1.	Look of animal	Alert		Dull
2.	Head	Raised		Bent downwards
3.	Eyes	Wide open, bright		Dull with white deposition at the corners
4.	Conjunctival m.m.	Normal		Pale or congested
5.	Nose	No discharge		Slimy discharge
6.	Movement	Active		Sluggish, lameness
7.	Response	Quick		Slow
8.	Feces	Normal		Hard / loose, mucus/blood-stained, discolouration, dysentry
9.	Pulse (/min)	70-90	70-90	Increased
10.	Body temperature (oF)	102.4	103.8	Increased
11.	Respiration (/min)	12-30	12-30	Increased, difficult
12.	Grazing	Normal		Abnormal
13.	Rumination	Regular		Irregular
14.	Feed and water intake	Normal		Reduced
15.	Udder	Normal		May be swollen
16.	Skin	Healthy		Infected, external parasites

B.  Sample collection

Samples include blood (microbiology, immunology, hematology, protozoan parasites), feces (endoparasites and enteric pathogens), urine (urinary tract infections), skin scraping (ectoparasites), ruminal fluid (ruminal dysfunction), vaginal discharge (reproductive tract infections)

C.  Administration of medicines

Routes include oral (drenching/feeding bolus), parenteral (intra-muscular, intra-venous, intra-peritoneal, sub-cutaneous) and topical.

COMMON DISEASES AND THEIR CONTROL

Morbidity and mortality are the two important factors resulting in heavy losses in sheep production and improvement programmes. Prevention is always better than cure as it is a lot cheaper. This has special significance with sheep as they seem to respond less to treatment when sick than other livestock species. Diseases in sheep can be broadly classified as non-infectious and infectious.

a)      Non-infectious diseases

Approximately 80% of deaths in lambs have been estimated due to non-infectious causes. Starvation, primarily from mismothering and behaviour, nutritional and environmental stress, reproductive problems and predation are the major causes reported.

(1)    Pneumonia

It is one of the most common and important pathological conditions in sheep. It is characterized clinically by increased respiration, coughing and abdominal breathing. A toll of 20-40% of the mortality has been reported at organized sheep farms due to pneumonia of bacterial or viral origin. Another type of pneumonia is “aspiration” or “drenching” pneumonia caused to wrong and forceful drenching operations. If some fluid has erroneously entered the animal’s respiratory tract, its head should be lowered immediately and slapped a few times.

(2)    Ruminal tympany (Bloat)

It is the over-distension of the left flank either due to free gas or froth. This is generally encountered in “greedy feeders” when lush green pasture is available. Tying a bitter (eg. neem) stick in the mouth as a bit to increase secretion of saliva is the most practical and can be done immediately. Oral administration of sweet oil with turpentine oil or at times with formalin is advised.

(3)    Rumen acidosis

Ingestion of large amounts of highly fermentable carbohydrate feeds causes an acute illness due to excess production of lactic acid in the rumen. Clinically, the disease is manifested by dehydration, blindness, recumbency, complete rumen stasis and a high mortality rate. Normal saline, sodium bicarbonate and antihistaminics are advised.

(4)    Intussusception

It occurs commonly due to nodular worms, change in feed and local intestinal problems. The animal is dull, off-feed, kicking at the belly with no rise of temperature, frequent straining with no defaecation, colic symptoms, and at later stages, recumbency. Emergency surgery is the only rational treatment.

(5)    Deficiency diseases

Young sheep grazing on drought-stricken pastures can suffer serious depletion of reserves of minerals and vitamins.

1.       Copper and Cobalt : Characterized by anorexia and wasting. Growth and wool production are severely retarded. Wool may be tender or broken. Fine wool becomes limp and glossy and loses crimp, developing straight, steely appearance. Anemia, diarrhoea and unthriftiness occur in extreme cases. Copper or cobalt sulphate treatment causes rapid disappearance of the symptoms.

2.       Calcium, Phosphorous & Vit. D : The daily requirement of Ca, P & Vit. D for an adult sheep is about 2.5 gm, 1.5 gm and 300-500 units, respectively. Deficiency may result in rickets in lambs and osteomalacia in adults. Mineral supplementation in diet is essential to prevent this deficiency.

3.       Vitamin A : Vit. A deficiency occurs in sheep on dry countryside during periods of drought. Symptoms include night blindness, corneal keratinization, ptyriasis, hoof defects, loss of weight and infertility. Congenital defects are common in the offspring of deficient dams. Animals should have access to green pasture and should be supplied with Vit. A in feed to prevent deficiency.

(6)    Pregnancy toxaemia (Ketosis)

It is a highly fatal disease caused due to a decline in the plane of nutrition and short periods of starvation (40 hrs) during the last two months of pregnancy. Hypoglycaemia and hyperketonemia are the primary metabolic disturbances. It is primarily a disease of intensive farming systems. Symptoms include separation from the flock, apparent blindness, constipation, grinding of teeth, drowsiness, tremors of the head, twitching of lips, in-coordination, ketonic breath, leading to coma and death. Treatment comprises intravenous administration of 50% glucose. Supply of molasses in the ration and provision of additional concentrate in the last two months of pregnancy helps prevent the condition.

(7)    Poisoning

1.       Organochlorine compounds : This group includes DDT, BHC, lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, toxaphane, methocychlor etc. which are used as pesticides on crops and as ectoparasiticides on sheep. Toxicity symptoms include increased excitability and irritability followed by muscle tremors, weakness, paralysis etc. Treatment consists of administering antidote, usually short-acting barbiturates.

2.       Organophosporous compounds : This group consists of malathion, darathion, chlorathion, carbophenothion, demton, dasnon, dimethylparathion, trichlorphon, dioxalthion etc. Symptoms of toxicity are profuse salivation, muscle stiffness, dyspnoea with open mouth breathing, tremors. Treatment consists of administering antidote, usually atropine sulphate.

3.       Snake bite : Sheep are usually bitten on the scrotum or udder. The presence of hair may obscure the typical fang marks. Prolonged pain, muscular weakness, impaired vision, nausea and paralysis are generally exhibited along with symptoms of shock. If anti-venin is not available and the bite is located in an area where a tourniquet cannot be applied, excision of an area of skin and sub-cutaneous tissue can be life-saving.

(8)    Wounds

During the monsoon season, a large number of animals suffer from wounds at various sites esp. around the ear, sternum and fore- and hind-legs. The main reason seems to be the awns of Aristidia and Heteropogon species of grasses, which initially break the continuity of the skin, which is then attacked by flies making the wound infected and maggoty. It causes great stress in young lambs, and may also lead to conjunctivitis, corneal opacity and blindness.

(9)    Dystokia

The common causes are insufficient opening of the cervical canal, heavy lambs (esp. crossbreds), abnormal fetal position and uterine torsion. The condition can be relieved surgically.

b)      Infectious diseases

(1)      Blackleg

It is an acute, infectious disease caused by Clostridium chauvoei and characterized by inflammation of muscles, severe toxaemia and high mortality (approaching 100%). All age groups are susceptible. Increased protein feeding of sheep increases their susceptibility. The spores are highly resistant to the environment and the portal of entry is through the alimentary mucosa. Infection in sheep generally takes place through skin wounds following shearing and docking. Symptoms include high fever, anorexia, discolouration of skin, crepitation and depression. Penicillin is the drug o choice for treatment.

(2)          Enterotoxaemia (pulpy kidney)

It is an acute disease of sheep of all ages, but primarily of lambs. It affects animals in a high state of nutrition on a lush feed, grass or grain. Morbidity rates seldom exceed 10% but mortality rate approximates 100%. It is caused by Clostridium perfringens type D which normally inhabits the alimentary tract of sheep. Under certain conditions, the organism proliferated rapidly in the intestines and produces lethal quantity of toxin. In lambs, the course of illness is very short, often less than 2 hours and never more than 12 hours, and many are found dead without manifesting early signs. Symptoms include green, pasty diarrhea, staggering, recumbency, opisthotonus, and acute, clonic convulsions with frothing at the mouth. A history of sudden death of several big lambs justifies a tentative diagnosis of enterotoxaemia. Suphadimidine may be effective for treatment. Two major control measures include reduction in the feed intake and vaccination.

Infection with Cl. Perfringens type B (lamb dysentery) and type C (struck, hemorrhagic enterotoxaemia) result in severe enteritis with diarrhea and dysentery in lambs.

(3)          Tetanus

It is an acute, infectious disease manifested by tonic convulsions of the voluntary muscles. In sheep, it commonly follows routine operations such as shearing, docking, castration and even vaccination. Clostridium tetani form spores which are capable of persisting in soil for a number of years. The portal of entry is usually through deep, puncture wounds. Symptoms include stiffness of limbs, lock jaw, opisthotonus, followed by death due to asphyxiation. Tetanus antitoxin is usually administered but is of little value when the signs have appeared.

(4)          Pasteurellosis

It is primarily caused by Pasteurella haemolytica in sheep and usually occurs in pneumonic form, although a septicaemic form is not uncommon in lambs. Morbidity and mortality rates may be as high as 40%. Transmission occurs by the inhalation or ingestion of the infected material. Symptoms include pyrexia, mucopurulent discharge from the eyes and nose, coughing, depression and anorexia. Preventive vaccination is recommended, after which the animals should not be sent out for grazing for 2-3 days.

(5)          Paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease)

It is a chronic, wasting disease caused by Mycobacteirum paratuberculosis and characterized by progressive emaciation and a thickening and corrugation of the intestinal wall. Mortality rate may be as high as 10%. The disease causes severe economic losses in infected flocks. As the progress of the disease is slow, it is mostly seen in older animals. No treatment is successful.

(6)          Sheep pox

It is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by development of vesicles and pustules on the skin and internal lesions. Spread may be by contact with infected animals and contaminated articles, or by inhalation. It often causes death in 50% of affected animals. Infection of the pustules by secondary organisms may cause pyrexia and other complications. The course of the disease is 3-4 weeks, during which time the sheep becomes emaciated and may shed their wool. Vaccination is the best control.

(7)          Foot and mouth disease

It is an extremely contagious, acute viral disease characterized by development of vesicles in the oral cavity and in the interdigital space. Mortality is usually low (3%), but the economic loss is chiefly due to the loss in condition of the affected animal. Transmission is by contact with the diseased animal and incubation period is less than 24 hrs. Antibiotics are recommended to check secondary infections. Vaccination is the best control.

(8)          Contagious ecthyma

It is a viral disease characterized by the formation of papules and pustules and the piling up of thick crusts on the lesions. The virus gains entry through unobserved wounds on the lips. The incubation period is dependant on the amount of virus introduced. The lesions are mostly found on the commissures of the lips and are covered by scabs. The course of the disease is 1-4 weeks. Antibiotics are recommended to check secondary infections.

(9)          Blue tongue

It is an infectious but non-contagious, exotic disease of sheep. Natural transmission takes place through insect vectors viz. Culicoides and Aedes species, and sheepked Melophagus ovinus. Incubation period is less than a week. Pyrexia upto 106^oF is the common initial symptom.. The disease has three clinical forms : abortive, acute and sub-acute. The abortive form mostly goes unnoticed. In the acute form, there is fever lasting for 5-6 days with nasal discharge, frothing, marked salivation, highly congested and cyanotic nasal and oral mucosa, epithelial excoriation in the oral cavity and purplish discolouration of the interdigital space, pasterns and coronets. Symptoms are less severe in the sub-acute from. Morbidity rate may be 50% or more whereas mortality rates very widely. Antibiotics are recommended to check secondary infections.

VACCINATION OF SHEEP AND GOATS

Purpose : Prevention of disease plays a major role in increasing profitability in a sheep or goat farm. Vaccination against infectious diseases is an important component of health management.

Vaccination schedule for sheep:-

Disease	Age and booster doses	Route	Remarks
Foot and mouth disease	6-8 weeks; repeat every 6-9 months	s/c or i/m depending on the vaccine
Hemorrhagic Septicaemia	3-4 months; repeat annually	1 ml s/c	May/ June
Sheep pox	3 months	s/c
Tetanus	Tetanus toxoid	0.5 - 1 ml s/c or i/m
Anthrax	4-6 months; repeat annually	0.5 ml s/c at tail fold	In endemic areas only
Enterotoxaemia	3-4 months, repeat after 15 days and then annually.	2.5 ml s/c	First two doses before august

Vaccination schedule for goats:-

Disease	Age and booster doses	Route	Remarks
Foot and mouth disease	6-8 weeks, repeat every 6-9 months	s/c or i/m depending on the vaccine
Enterotoxaemia	3-4 months, repeat after 15 days and then annually.	2.5 ml s/c	First two doses before august
Hemorrhagic Septicaemia	3-4 months,, repeat annually	1ml s/c	May/June
Anthrax	4-6 months, repeat annually	0.5 ml s/c at tail fold	In endemic areas only
Tetanus	3-4 months, repeat at 6 months and then annually	0.5 - 1 ml s/c or i/m