Prevention and Treatment Methods and Technical Key Points for Sheep Stomatitis

Sheep stomatitis is inflammation of the superficial and deep tissues of the oral mucosa. During the pathological process, inflammation of the oral mucosa and gums can make it difficult for affected sheep to eat and chew, cause clear drooling, and increase pain sensitivity. Clinically, simple local inflammation and secondary systemic reactions are commonly seen.

I. Causes

Primary stomatitis is mostly caused by trauma. Sheep can develop the disease after eating sharp plant branches or straw that prick the oral cavity, or after contact with ammonia water, strong acids, or strong alkalis that damage the oral mucosa. When sheep suffer from contagious ecthyma, foot-and-mouth disease, sheep pox, or fungal stomatitis, symptoms of stomatitis can also occur.

II. Diagnosis

Difficulty eating and chewing is one symptom of stomatitis. Clinically, catarrhal, vesicular, and ulcerative stomatitis are commonly seen. Sheep with primary stomatitis often reduce or stop eating. The oral mucosa is red, swollen, painful, and drooling occurs; in severe cases, bleeding, erosion, ulcers, or emaciation may be seen.

Secondary stomatitis often involves systemic reactions such as elevated body temperature. For example, in contagious ecthyma, the oral mucosa as well as the upper and lower lips and corners of the mouth show vesicles and hemorrhagic crust-like necrosis. When sheep suffer from foot-and-mouth disease, in addition to vesicles and erosions in the oral mucosa, similar lesions also occur between the toes and on the skin; when sheep pox occurs, in addition to typical pox lesions in the oral mucosa, pox lesions also occur on the udder, eye corners, head, and skin under the abdomen.

Allergic stomatitis is mostly related to sudden intake of or contact with allergens. In addition to inflammatory changes in the oral cavity, changes such as congestion, exudation, ulceration, and scabbing are seen in the nasal cavity, udder, elbows, or inner thighs.

III. Treatment

Strengthen management and nursing, and prevent primary stomatitis caused by oral injury. For those with stomatitis combined with infectious diseases, isolation and disinfection are advisable. Mild stomatitis can be rinsed with 2%-3% sodium bicarbonate solution, 0.1% potassium permanganate solution, or 2% saline; for chronic stomatitis with erosion and exudation, rinse with 1%-5% silver protein solution or 2% alum solution, and when ulcers are present, apply 1:9 iodine glycerin or honey. When systemic reactions are obvious, use penicillin 400,000-800,000 units and streptomycin 1000 mg, injected intramuscularly once, for 3-5 consecutive days. Sulfonamide drugs can also be administered.