Animal Health Chapter #5

What Causes Disease? Germs: bacteria, viruses, protozoa from poor hygene Parasites: worms, insects Infestations: external parasites eg. lice, ticks Infectious: internal disease Injury: handling, facilities Inherited Genes Poor Nutrition: easiest to correct toxic materials in plants, nitrogen content underfed stock, lack of mineral supplements Stress – lack of water, mental stress

Disease Infectious Disease: spread by contact Confinement Systems: disease easily spread Animal Waste: host for germs Soil Born Disease: live in soil footrot facial eczema staggers alternate pastures

Disease From water & feed: chemical residues, waste From air: germs, chemicals, fungal spores Diseases divided according to how rapid they progress: Acute: rapid progression (bloat, mastitis,footrot) all generally have a rapid increase in body temperature Chronic: last a long time (cancer), costly to fight Some are localized: mastitis, pink eye

Vital Signs Pulse: high under left foreflank or over jawbone Respiration: rate of breathing Temperature: most reliable & constant taken rectally rise of 3 deg F is considered serious Symptoms: not eat, isoalte self, lack alertness, mucous discharge, droopy, lowered head, swelling, bleeding, abnormal bowel movements, worms in feces, unusual walk, abnormal behavior

Disease Prevention Maintain a healthy animal - good nutrition - low stress Sanitation: - - bury dead stock in an offal pit - clean teats during milking - clean out pig and poultry enclosures Vaccination: build up antibodies to fight disease Drench, dip, crutch, check feet for footrot

Parasite Control Some parasites may be passed to humans hydatids, bladder worms Worming usually done in spring Insectisides: apply insecticide dips by hand jetting or pour-ons Sanitation: remove waste, disinfect floors & walls, remove dead animals, insect & rodent control, repair equipment, proper bedding Pig houses: steam clean & disinfect Pile manure to kill germs (heat) Trap flies in drums to prevent flystrike