How do you identify sheep diseases? Remember these eight points to observe

With the adjustment of the structure of livestock breeds, Boer goat farming has become the first choice for farmers to get rich and reach a moderately prosperous life. Boer goats are an introduced breed, few in number and expensive. In addition to strengthening feeding management, the growth and activity of Boer goats should be observed frequently to ensure timely treatment in the early stage of illness and reduce losses. Generally, the following aspects are carefully observed and comprehensively judged to determine whether they are sick.

1. Look at the demeanor. Healthy Boer goats are full of energy, move agilely, and have bright eyes. Sick goats are sluggish, prefer to lie down, hang their heads, shed tears, and are afraid of light.

2. Look at feeding and grazing. Healthy sheep have a strong appetite and eat quickly. Sick sheep have a poor appetite.

3. Look at the coat. Healthy sheep have glossy hair and elastic skin. Sick sheep have rough, messy hair, dry skin, and no elasticity.

4. Look at the eyes, nose, and mouth. Healthy sheep have pale red mucous membranes and clean skin around the nostrils. Sick sheep have mucous membranes that are either flushed, pale, yellow, or cyanotic, with nasal discharge around the nostrils, a foul smell from the mouth and nose, and eye discharge.

5. Look at body temperature. The body temperature of healthy sheep is 38°C--40°C. A thermometer can be inserted into the anus for measurement. If there is no thermometer, touch the sheep's ears, torso, or inner side of the hind legs with your hand, and check whether the sheep has a fever by the skin temperature.

6. Look at rumination. Healthy sheep ruminate 2 times--4 times per minute. Palpate by pressing the left flank with the palm of your hand; the rumen of healthy sheep is soft and elastic. Sick sheep ruminate less often or stop ruminating, and the rumen becomes hard or bloated.

7. Look at the feces. Healthy sheep feces are oval, relatively soft, and black and shiny in color. Sick sheep feces are dry and dull, or the feces are loose, often mixed with mucus, pus and blood, worm eggs, and a foul odor, and the feces stain the rump area and tail.

8. Look at breathing. Healthy sheep breathe about 20 times per minute. Place your ear against the sheep's chest, and you can hear the normal "fu fu" breathing sound. If you hear a "fu lu fu lu" sound or crepitation, it indicates that the respiratory system is diseased.

After comprehensive observation through the above aspects, if it is determined that the sheep is already sick, do not take it lightly at all. Ask a local veterinarian to come for consultation and treat according to the symptoms.