What are the prevention and treatment methods for sheep pox?

Sheep pox is a disease in which sheep become infected with a virus, develop purulent inflammation on the skin, and then transmit it to humans, causing sheep pox in people. The sheep pox virus mainly exists in the skin, mucous membranes, papules, pustules and scabs of sick sheep, as well as in nasal mucosal secretions. When the body temperature of affected sheep rises, large amounts of the virus are present in their blood. Sick sheep are the source of infection, and transmission occurs mainly through infected air via the respiratory tract, or the virus can enter the body through damaged skin or mucous membranes.

Clinical symptoms of sheep pox

1. Sheep pox: The body temperature of sick sheep rises to 41-42°C, the conjunctiva and eyelids become red and swollen, respiration and pulse accelerate, mucus flows from the nose, appetite is lost, and the animal stands with an arched back. After 1-2 days, pox eruptions appear, mostly on hairless or sparsely haired areas of the skin. Red spots appear first, then become papules and gradually form vesicles, and finally become pustules. After the pustules rupture, if there is no secondary infection, they gradually dry and form scabs, healing in 2-3 weeks. Pox eruptions occurring on the tongue and gums often form ulcers. When pox eruptions occur on the pharynx, bronchi, lungs, and mucous membranes of the forestomach or abomasum in some sheep, the sick sheep die of septicemia due to secondary bacterial or viral infection. In some sick sheep, hemorrhage occurs within the pox eruptions, presenting as black pox. In other cases, the pox eruptions become purulent and gangrenous, forming deep ulcers with a foul odor, often following a malignant course, with a mortality rate as high as 20%-50% or more.

2. Goat pox: Sick goats develop fever, with body temperature rising to 40-42°C, listlessness, reduced appetite or refusal to eat. Pox eruptions can occur at the tail base, udder, labia, around the anus inside the tail, scrotum and inner sides of the limbs. They sometimes also appear in the hair on the head, abdomen and back. The pox eruptions vary in size and present as round red nodules and papules that rapidly form vesicles, pustules and scabs, with the scabs falling off after 3-4 weeks.

Treatment methods for sheep pox

1. Avoid contact with sheep and goats affected by sheep pox.

2. For lambs aged 2-3 weeks, inoculate with Henan Tianxingjian's serum antibody -- Sheep Pox Yizhenling for emergency prevention.

3. Wash the affected areas of sick sheep with a 0.1% potassium permanganate aqueous solution. Alternatively, decoct Japanese honeysuckle stem and wild chrysanthemum flowers, or wash the affected areas with lightly salted water, then apply iodine glycerin. Traditional Chinese medicine formulas can also be used, with good results.

Traditional Chinese medicine treatment for sheep pox

1. Early stage of sick sheep

① Lonicera japonica 6 g, Cimicifuga rhizome 3 g, Pueraria root 6 g, Forsythia fruit 6 g, Smilax glabra rhizome 3 g, raw licorice 3 g. Decoct in water and administer in a single dose.

② Cimicifuga rhizome 3 g, Pueraria root 9 g, honeysuckle flower 9 g, Platycodon root 6 g, Fritillaria thunbergii 6 g, Arnebia root 6 g, Isatis leaf 9 g, Forsythia fruit 9 g, raw licorice 3 g. Decoct in water and administer in 2 divided doses.

2. When the pox eruptions rupture: Forsythia fruit 12 g, Phellodendron bark 45 g, Coptis rhizome 3 g, Astragalus root 6 g, Gardenia fruit 6 g. Decoct in water and administer. As the pox eruptions heal, scabs form.

3. For weak sick sheep

① Angelica sinensis 6 g, Astragalus root 6 g, red peony root 15 g, Arnebia root 3 g, honeysuckle flower 3 g, licorice 1.5 g. Decoct in water and administer, adjusting the dosage according to the condition.

② Glehnia root 6 g, dwarf lilyturf tuber 6 g, mulberry leaf 3 g, hyacinth bean 6 g, trichosanthes root 3 g, Polygonatum odoratum 6 g, licorice 3 g. Decoct in water and administer in a single dose.