Disease A-Z for Sheep
NADIS has developed a comprehensive sheep health resource for farmers, vets and RAMAs. Click on the health issues affecting your sheep and find out more.
When you have finished, why not try the clinical quiz at the end of the bulletin and receive a Sheep Health Certificate from NADIS.
Plan for Health and ask your vet for a veterinary health plan. Disease prevention is most effective as part of an active veterinary health plan.
A
Abomasal emptying defect
Johne's disease presents as chronic weight loss/low body condition score and poor fleece.
Enzootic Abortion In Ewes
Infectious causes of abortion are most common after day 100 of pregnancy.
Acidosis (Grain overload)
Rams are prone to several conditions that can be prevented by careful management with veterinary advice supplied in the flock health plan.
Anthelmintic resistance
Try to reduce your reliance on anthelmintics by using management options and monitoring where possible.
Antimicrobial resistance
The sheep sector has targeted three key areas where antibiotic use can be reduced.
Atypical pneumonia (Enzootic pneumonia)
Atypical pneumonia (also called enzootic pneumonia) is a non-progressive, chronic pneumonia of housed sheep under a year-old caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae. The true prevalence of this disease is unknown because the clinical signs are mild and do not generally warrant veterinary investigation.
B
Bighead (Malignant oedema)
There are long-established vaccination protocols using toxoid vaccines which prevent all common clostridial diseases in sheep.
Biosecurity on Sheep Farms
Components of a biosecurity programme are all good management practices that can increase the profitability of your sheep farming operation
Black disease
Black disease is typically associated with migration of immature liver flukes during late summer/early autumn and can affect unvaccinated sheep of all ages. Clinical signs are rarely observed and sheep are simply found dead.
Blackleg
There are long-established vaccination protocols using toxoid vaccines which prevent all common clostridial diseases in sheep.
Blowfly Strike
Blowfly populations are greatest during the summer months, although the risk period can be from March to December in some lowland areas.
Bluetongue in Cattle and Sheep
Bluetongue is a notifiable viral disease spread by midges. Fever and stiffness are most common in sheep.
Braxy
There are long-established vaccination protocols using toxoid vaccines which prevent all common clostridial diseases in sheep.
C
Campylobacteriosis
Infectious causes of abortion are most common after day 100 of pregnancy.
Caseous Lymphadenitis
(CLA) is a chronic contagious disease of sheep with the incidence of disease increasing with age.
CCN (Cerebrocortical necrosis)
This bulletin outlines the various nervous diseases that can affect sheep.
Chlamydial Abortion
Infectious causes of abortion are most common after day 100 of pregnancy.
Chorioptic Mange
Chorioptic mange is a potentially important cause of poor breeding soundness in rams, characterised by superficial, exudative, fissured lesions on the lower third of the scrotum.
Chronic Suppurative Pneumonia (lung abcesses)
Respiratory disease is a major cause of loss to the UK sheep industry. It can affect all ages and cause rapid death in an affected flock.
Clostridial Vaccination
There are long-established vaccination protocols using toxoid vaccines which prevent all common clostridial diseases in sheep.
Cobalt deficiency
The trace element deficiency states generally considered are: cobalt, copper, and vitamin E and selenium.
Coccidiosis in lambs
Coccidiosis causes rapid weight loss and diarrhoea containing mucus and flecks of blood.
Coenurosis (Gid)
This bulletin outlines the various nervous diseases that can affect sheep.
Contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD)
Sheep with CODD show severe lameness with reduced grazing activity and long periods spent lying down.
Orf
In the UK, the virus rapidly spreads within a group of orphan lambs sharing the same feeding equipment
Copper deficiency
The trace element deficiency states generally considered are: cobalt, copper, and vitamin E and selenium.
Copper Poisoning in Sheep
Some breeds of sheep are particularly susceptible to copper poisoning.
Cutaneous myiasis (Blowfly Strike/Maggots)
Blowfly populations are greatest during the summer months, although the risk period can be from March to December in some lowland areas.
D
Dermatophilosis (Lumpy wool)
Dermatophilosis is a common skin infection of sheep world-wide. The disease is caused by Dermatophilus congolensis.
E
Ectoparasites of Sheep
Endoparasites of Sheep
Entropion
Pink eye or snow blindness is often associated with adverse weather of high winds and driving snow. Large numbers of sheep can be affected.
Enzootic Abortion (EAE)
Infectious causes of abortion are most common after day 100 of pregnancy.
Enzootic pneumonia (Atypical pneumonia)
Respiratory disease is a major cause of loss to the UK sheep industry. It can affect all ages and cause rapid death in an affected flock.
Pink Eye
Pink eye or snow blindness is often associated with adverse weather of high winds and driving snow. Large numbers of sheep can be affected.
F
Fasciolosis (Liver fluke)
Acute liver fluke is usually seen from August to October, sub-acute from October onwards and chronic from December onwards.
Feeding lambs on Rape and Kale
Rape and kale provide a balanced source of carbohydrate, protein, fibre and minerals and are valuable green winter feeds for sheep
Footrot
Footrot is an extremely painful disease and affected animals can lose weight rapidly. Sheep with footrot are very lame, lie down for long periods and may not bear weight on the affected leg.
G
PGE
This bulletin discusses the various nematode infections causing parasitic gastroenteritis.
Gid (Coenurosis)
This bulletin outlines the various nervous diseases that can affect sheep.
H
Haemonchosis
This bulletin discusses the various nematode infections causing parasitic gastroenteritis.
Headfly
Control of all ectoparasites infestations can be achieved by strategic treatments and strict biosecurity
Hepatic necrobacillosis
This bulletin outlines diseases of newborn lambs in detail including clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control.
Hyatid Disease
Hydatid disease is caused by the formation of cysts following ingestion of Echinococcus granulosus eggs.
Hypocalcaemia
Adequate nutrition during the last six weeks of pregnancy, is essential to ensure appropriate lamb birthweight.
I
Intestinal adenocarcinoma
Johne's disease presents as chronic weight loss/low body condition score and poor fleece.
Iritis
Anterior uveitis, also referred to as ovine iritis, is associated with conjunctival infection with Listeria bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes). It is seen in sheep of all ages and usually associated with being fed on big bale silage.
Itchy Sheep
Excessive itching should be investigated when it is seen in any group of sheep or individual as treatments vary depending on the cause.
J
Johne's disease
Johne's disease presents as chronic weight loss/low body condition score and poor fleece.
Joint ill
This bulletin outlines diseases of newborn lambs in detail including clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control.
L
Lamb dysentery
There are long-established vaccination protocols using toxoid vaccines which prevent all common clostridial diseases in sheep.
Lambing
Lameness Control
Sheep with footrot are very lame, lie down for long periods and may not bear weight on the affected leg.
Lice
Control of all ectoparasites infestations can be achieved by strategic treatments and strict biosecurity
Ectoparasite infestations
Control of all ectoparasites infestations can be achieved by strategic treatments and strict biosecurity
Listeriosis
This bulletin outlines the various nervous diseases that can affect sheep.
Liver Fluke in Sheep
Acute liver fluke is usually seen from August to October, sub-acute from October onwards and chronic from December onwards.
Lumpy wool (Dermatophilosis)
Dermatophilosis is a common skin infection of sheep world-wide but is of minor significance in the UK regarding high quality wool production.
Lung abscesses (Chronic suppurative pneumonia)
Respiratory disease is a major cause of loss to the UK sheep industry. It can affect all ages and cause rapid death in an affected flock.
Lungworm (Parasitic bronchitis)
Respiratory disease is a major cause of loss to the UK sheep industry through mortality and poor health. It can affect all ages and cause rapid death to high numbers of an affected flock.
Respiratory disease in adult and yearling sheep
Respiratory disease is a major cause of loss to the UK sheep industry. It can affect all ages and cause rapid death in an affected flock.
M
Maedi Visna in Sheep
Maedi Visna (MV) is classed as one of the “iceberg diseases” of sheep which are found throughout the UK that are relatively infrequently reported but cause serious economic losses without ever being identified.
Maggots (Blowfly Strike/Cutaneous myiasis)
Blowfly populations are greatest during the summer months, although the risk period can be from March to December in some lowland areas.
Malignant Oedema (Bighead)
There are long-established vaccination protocols using toxoid vaccines which prevent all common clostridial diseases in sheep.
Mating for early lambing
There are several measures that can be taken to manipulate and advance the breeding season.
Medicine Usage
The prescription, dispensing, storage, administration and disposal of veterinary medicines are regulated by the VMR.
Middle Ear infection (Vestibular disease)
This bulletin outlines the various nervous diseases that can affect sheep.
N
Navel ill
This bulletin outlines diseases of newborn lambs in detail including clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control.
Nematodirus
Nematodirus battus affects young lambs during the late spring or early summer, and can cause significant losses.
Nephrosis in lambs
Nephrosis occurs sporadically in young lambs often after an outbreak of coccidiosis or nematodirosis.
Nervous diseases in sheep
This bulletin outlines the various nervous diseases that can affect sheep.
Non-parasitic Skin Conditions in Sheep
Dermatophilosis is a common skin infection of sheep world-wide. The disease is caused by Dermatophilus congolensis.
O
Orf
In the UK, the virus rapidly spreads within a group of orphan lambs sharing the same feeding equipment
OPA
OPA is common in the UK but the disease is grossly under-reported because few sheep deaths are investigated.
P
Pain Management in Livestock
Pain in farm animals is typically assessed by changes in general body functions.
Parasitic Bronchitis
Respiratory disease is a major cause of loss to the UK sheep industry. It can affect all ages and cause rapid death in an affected flock.
Parasitic gastro-enteritis (PGE)
This bulletin discusses the various nematode infections causing parasitic gastroenteritis.
Pasteurella and Clostridia vaccination
There are long-established vaccination protocols using toxoid vaccines which prevent all common clostridial diseases in sheep.
Pasteurellosis
Respiratory disease is a major cause of loss to the UK sheep industry. It can affect all ages and cause rapid death in an affected flock.
Periorbital eczema
Pink eye or snow blindness is often associated with adverse weather of high winds and driving snow. Large numbers of sheep can be affected.
Peritonitis
Johne's disease presents as chronic weight loss/low body condition score and poor fleece.
Photosensitization
Dermatophilosis is a common skin infection of sheep world-wide. The disease is caused by Dermatophilus congolensis.
Pink Eye
Pink eye or snow blindness is often associated with adverse weather of high winds and driving snow. Large numbers of sheep can be affected.
Pre-lambing ewe nutrition
Adequate nutrition during the last six weeks of pregnancy, is essential to ensure appropriate lamb birthweight.
Q
Q Fever in Sheep
Infection in sheep is usually subclinical but can cause anorexia and late abortion, including large abortion outbreaks.
R
Urolithiasis
Rams are prone to several conditions that can be prevented by careful management with veterinary advice supplied in the flock health plan.
Ram Management
Management of rams needs all year round attention to ensure good conception rates
Ringworm in Sheep
Ringworm in sheep due to skin infection by the fungus Trichophyton verrucosum.
S
Salmonella Abortion
Infectious causes of abortion are most common after day 100 of pregnancy.
Schmallenberg Virus (SBV)
Schmallenberg Virus is similar to some other animal disease pathogens including Akabane and Shamonda viruses.
Selenium and vitamin E deficiency
The trace element deficiency states generally considered are: cobalt, copper, and vitamin E and selenium.
Septic peritonitis
This bulletin outlines diseases of newborn lambs in detail including clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control.
Sheep Medicines
Animal health and welfare are essential for efficient lamb production and disease control.
Sheep Scab
In England and Wales, it’s legal requirement to treat infected animals and all others in the flock. In Scotland the disease is notifiable.
T
Tapeworm
This bulletin discusses the various nematode infections causing parasitic gastroenteritis.
Teladorsagiosis
This bulletin discusses the various nematode infections causing parasitic gastroenteritis.
Tetanus
There are long-established vaccination protocols using toxoid vaccines which prevent all common clostridial diseases in sheep.
Toxoplasmosis
Infectious causes of abortion are most common after day 100 of pregnancy.
Sheep Trace Element Deficiences
The trace element deficiency states generally considered are: cobalt, copper, and vitamin E and selenium.
Trichostrongylosis
This bulletin discusses the various nematode infections causing parasitic gastroenteritis.
Twin lamb disease
The early clinical signs include disorientation leading to isolation from the remainder of the flock.
U
Urolithiasis
Rams are prone to several conditions that can be prevented by careful management with veterinary advice supplied in the flock health plan.
V
Vestibular disease (Middle Ear infection)
This bulletin outlines the various nervous diseases that can affect sheep.
W
Watery mouth disease
This bulletin outlines diseases of newborn lambs in detail including clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control.
Receive Your Sheep Health Certificate
Finish reading a bulletin and take the clinical quiz at the end to receive a NADIS certificate and claim DairyPro points.