What are the symptoms of sheep plague? Detailed explanation of prevention and treatment methods

Sheep plague is a highly contagious epidemic disease, also known as peste des petits ruminants (PPR). Similar to rinderpest, its occurrence has gradually increased in various regions, causing great harm to China's sheep industry. However, many friends do not know what conditions indicate sheep plague, so below is a brief introduction to the symptoms and prevention and treatment methods of sheep plague.

1. Clinical symptoms

The incubation period of sheep plague in sheep is about one week, with a maximum of 3 weeks. The symptoms of infection are similar to those of cattle with rinderpest, and according to the reactions of the diseased sheep, it can be divided into three types: mild type, standard type and acute type.

Mild type: The symptoms of mildly affected sheep are similar to those of a cold, with increased body temperature, refusal to eat, restlessness, etc. Many friends mistake it for a cold and do not pay attention to it.

Standard type: The body develops a fever that lasts for nearly a week, a very unpleasant-smelling liquid flows from the nose, there is diarrhea, and oral ulcers also occur. If the diseased sheep is a ewe, it will lead to miscarriage.

Acute type: The feces are loose and bloody, the body is weak and emaciated, and the body temperature drops. Although the incidence rate is relatively low, infected sheep will die within 2 days.

2. Pathological changes

Necropsy of the carcass of a diseased sheep reveals changes similar to rinderpest, with a series of visible symptoms such as conjunctivitis and necrotizing stomatitis, which in severe cases can extend to the throat. The main organ showing symptoms is the abomasum, while the rumen and omasum have a lower incidence. After onset, regular erosions form at the affected sites, and the surface turns red and bleeds. The intestines can be seen beginning to erode and even bleed, with hemorrhagic streaks appearing at the junction of the colon and rectum, and blood spots appearing in the nasal cavity, larynx and trachea.

3. Prevention and treatment measures

Once a diseased sheep is found, it should immediately be isolated from the flock to prevent the pathogen from spreading through the air. Then the sheep shed and tools should immediately be disinfected throughout, and the flock should also be disinfected. All sheep should be injected with serum + Yangquanqing to prevent reinfection. The main focus is still disinfection and prevention. For diseased sheep, inject Yangquanqing + concanavalin into the muscle once a day for two days. If it is a pregnant sheep, inject twice a day, and once the suppurative areas begin to scab over, it will fully return to normal. These two agents also have a great effect on elevated body temperature, diarrhea and refusal to eat, and severely diseased sheep need 1-2 extra injections.

Sheep plague broke out in a major epidemic in 2014. Although it was gradually brought under control in 2015, small-scale outbreaks still occur to this day. When mild symptoms appear, be sure to examine carefully and do not ignore them thinking they are just a cold. Diseased sheep should be handled promptly, so as to maintain the health of the flock and your economic interests.