Prevention and Treatment of Piroplasmosis and Streptococcus Disease in Sheep Farming

Every year in August and September, as the climate shifts from high temperature and high humidity to cool, crisp weather, sheep adjust their bodily state accordingly to adapt to environmental changes. At this time, their resistance declines, making them highly susceptible to piroplasmosis and streptococcus disease, which seriously endanger sheep health. Based on a clinical case, the following discusses the prevention and treatment of these two diseases.

I. Disease Onset

A sheep farm raised 120 sheep. In early August, the sheep suddenly fell ill. Affected sheep showed symptoms of high fever, panting, tearing, and jaundice. The owner treated them as if they had a cold, administering intramuscular injections of antipyrine, Bupleurum, moroxydine, penicillin, and other drugs. After three consecutive days, the symptoms somewhat abated, but once the medication was stopped, the condition recurred and the sheep became emaciated. Sporadic deaths began to occur among the sick sheep, with 5 deaths in total. Due to the complexity of the condition, the owner brought them to the veterinary station for diagnosis and treatment.

II. Clinical Symptoms 

Sick sheep were depressed, had reduced appetite, and their body temperature rose to 40°C-42°C, persisting for 4-7 days. Respiration was rapid and labored, rumination stopped, and gastrointestinal motility weakened. The conjunctiva was congested and there was tearing, followed by anemia and mild jaundice, with drooling. The pharyngeal and submandibular superficial lymph nodes were swollen. Some sick sheep passed foul-smelling loose feces mixed with mucus or blood. Pregnant sheep aborted. A few sheep had turbid urine or hematuria. The course of disease lasted 6-12 days. Before death, sick sheep ground their teeth, convulsed, and had stiff limbs.

III. Pathological Changes

Extensive hemorrhage occurred in all organs. The carcass was emaciated, blood was thin and incompletely coagulated, subcutaneous fat was gelatinous with petechial hemorrhages. Systemic lymph nodes showed varying degrees of swelling and hemorrhage, most notably in the prescapular, mesenteric, hepatic, and pulmonary regions; cut surfaces were bulging and juicy with congestion and hemorrhage. Some lymph nodes were grayish-white, sometimes with granular protrusions visible on the surface. Hemorrhage occurred in the nasal cavity, pharynx, and tracheal mucosa. Pulmonary edema, emphysema, and hemorrhage were present. The liver, spleen, and gallbladder were enlarged, with pleural and peritoneal effusion. The kidneys were yellowish-brown with nodules and petechial hemorrhages on the surface. Ulcerative spots were present on the abomasal mucosa, and a small number of hemorrhagic spots were present on the intestinal mucosa.

IV. Laboratory Examination

Based on the above symptoms and necropsy changes, a preliminary diagnosis can be made. Definitive diagnosis must rely on laboratory testing. Blood was collected from the ear tip of sick sheep, smeared, stained with Giemsa, and examined microscopically; finding piroplasma organisms confirms piroplasmosis. Liver, spleen, and other tissue samples were collected, smeared, Gram-stained, and examined microscopically; finding single, short-chain, or long-chain Gram-positive cocci confirms streptococcus disease. When necessary, bacterial isolation and culture should be performed.

V. Treatment Measures

In the morning, sick sheep were given intramuscular injections of "Ban Chen Huang" (main components: Isatis root, tangerine peel, ephedra) and lincomycin hydrochloride, both at a dose of 0.1 mL/kg. In the afternoon, ceftiofur sodium was injected at 30 mg/kg body weight, and astragalus polysaccharide at 0.1 mL/kg body weight. After three consecutive days of treatment, the sick sheep essentially recovered and no new cases occurred.

VI. Prevention and Vaccination

Strengthen the feeding and management of sheep. Pens and grounds should be kept clean and free of sharp objects to prevent various traumatic injuries. The umbilical cord of newborn lambs should be disinfected with iodine tincture to prevent infection. Carrier sheep should be culled as much as possible. Dead sheep and contaminated materials should be burned, and the environment and equipment should be thoroughly disinfected regularly with 3% lysol, 2.5% formalin, or 1% Xundu iodine. Each sheep vaccinated with sheep streptococcus vaccine can obtain 4 months of immunity. During the peak season for piroplasmosis, sheep should be given a 2% diminazene solution at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight by intramuscular injection, once every 15 days. Piroplasmosis tablets can also be given orally. In addition, adding Anemarrhena, Fritillaria thunbergii, astragalus, licorice, Dioscorea bulbifera, and sweet wormwood to daily forage can effectively prevent the occurrence of this disease.

VII. Summary

Piroplasmosis and streptococcus disease have become the top infectious diseases affecting sheep. Once contracted, they cause significant losses. When there are suspected sick sheep in the flock, blood samples should be promptly sent to the laboratory for testing. Do not blindly use drugs based on experience, as this may delay treatment.