Getting to grips with sheep diseases

There are many diseases that affect sheep and lambs, most of which can, and often do, lead to the death of the affected animals. Knowing which of the diseases are likely to be present in a flock, whether they affect lambs, ewes or both and when they are likely to be a problem are all important factors when deciding on the most appropriate disease management/prevention strategy.

If faced with a disease outbreak in a flock it is often too late to prevent financial losses, both in terms of lost animals and also the knock-on effect it will have on the longer-term productivity of the flock. A comprehensive Intervet-sponsored study performed during the 2003/2004 season by independent veterinary consultant Dr Tony Andrews looked at the total costs of an outbreak of pneumonia caused by Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella trehalosi. The study concluded that the cost benefit of vaccinating was at least 5:1 when compared to the cost of disease in a non-vaccinated flock.

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