General Health Care of Sheep and Goats

The healthy animal

It is very important to be able to recognize a healthy sheep and goat, as well as animals that are showing signs of ill thrift or disease. With good management, most sheep and goats stay healthy and require minimal health care. However, early recognition of disease problems will help to reduce treatment costs and prevent unnecessary death losses.

To start with, you need to know the bavior of your animals and what normal behavior is. "Normal" is different for sheep and goats and can be different for different animals. Appetite is always a good indicator of health. Most sheep and goats have hearty appetites.

A sheep or goat that doesn't eat or isn't eager to eat is often injured or sick. The slowest animal to come to the feeder is the one that could be getting sick. When a sheep or goat is not eating, it is usually chewing its cud. Cud chewing is healthy behavior. It is an indicator that the rumen is functioning properly.

An animal that isolates itself from the rest of the herd could be sick or injured. It is normal for a healthy sheep or goat to hold its head up; goats, to hold their tails up. Low-hanging heads and tails and droopy ears are a sign that something might be wrong. Healthy animals have healthy hair coats. Wool or hair loss can be a sign of internal or external parasites, poor nutrition, stress, or other diseases.

Abnormal dischareges from the rectum, vagina, teats, skins, nose, and eyes can be signs of illness and should be investigated. If an animal doesn't stand or move normally, this could be a sign of injury or disease: arthritis, footrot, foot scald, polioencephalomalaica, listeriosis, pregnancy toxemia, caprine arthritic encephalitis (CAE), white muscle disease, floppy kid syndrome, scrapie, meningeal worm, or rabies.

The vital signs of a sheep and goat are important indicators of health and well-being. Animals whose vital signs fall outside of the expected range(s) should be thoroughly evaluated.

Vital Sign	Sheep	Goats
Rectal temperature	101.5-104°F	102-104°
Heart beat	70 to 80 beats per minute	70 to 90 beats per minute
Breaths	12 to 20 breaths per minute	15 to 30 breaths per minute
Ruminations	1 to 3 per minute	1 to 3 per minute
Packed cell volume	27 to 45 percent	22 to 28 percent
Body condition (1-5)	2 to 4	2 to 4

Biosecurity

Biosecurity is the collective management practices that are undertaken to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases. These days, there is a heightened awareness of biosecurity due to the risks of bioterrorism and the fear of introducing foreign diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease into the United States. Individual states are also interested in keeping diseases from within their borders (e.g. scrapie). Biosecurity is important no matter what size flock or farm you have. It only takes one animal to introduce a new disease and one farm to start a disease epidemic.

The introduction of a new animal to the farm poses the single greatest risk to the farm's biosecurity. While livestock may appear outwardly healthy, they could be carrying a variety of diseases. Anytime a new animal is introduced to the flock, there is a potential risk of that animal introducing a new disease. Sheep and goats share most of the same diseases.

New animals should be quarantined for at least two weeks, ideally 30 days. The quarantine area should now allow fenceline contact with other animals. It should be located away from the rest of the animals on the farm. New animals should be dewormed with anthelmintics from two different chemical classes (e.g. ivermectin +fenbendazole) to prevent the introduction of anthelmintic-resistant worms.

New animals should be purchased from reputable sales or breeders. Ideally, you should purchase animals from a closed herd. A closed herd is one in which new animals have not been introduced for the past three or more years. It is best to buy breeding stock from as few sources as possible. An auction barn is not the best place to buy breeding stock. Many producers take their cull animals to auction barns, and there are no health requirements for taking livestock there.

Animals should not be purchased from farms or sales in which lameness, abscesses, soremouth, ringworm, mange, or other clinical signs of disease are observed. While healthy-appearing animals may still be harboring these disease organisms, many diseases can be avoided by thoroughly observing and inspecting the animals you purchase and the farm from which they originate.

Visitors to your farm may be carrying diseases. They should be required to wear plastic boots or dip their footwear in a disinfectant. Borrowed trucks and trailers should be disinfected before use. Borrowed equipment should be disinfected before use. Shearing practices should be scrutinized to make sure diseases are not spread from one farm to another or one sheep to another.

Scrapie
Scrapie is in the same family of diseases as bovine spongiform encephalopathy ("mad cow" disease), chronic wasting disease (of elk and deer), and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (a rare disease that affects people). It is an always fatal, brain-wasting disease that affects sheep and goats.

The incidence of scrapie in the United States is very low, especially among goats and white-faced sheep, but an eradication is in place that requires all sheep and goats to carry official USDA scrapie identification (usually ear tags) when they leave their farm of origin (birth) and enter channels of commerse. Ear tags an an applicator are available for free from Area USDA APHIS offices. To receive free tags (and an applicator) in Maryland, call (410) 349-9708.

In addition to the mandatory tagging program, there is a voluntary scrapie flock certification program. Any sheep or goat farm can enroll in the program. After five years of scrapie-free monitoring, a flock receives scrapie-free status. These flocks are the only source of certified scrapie-free breeding stock in the United States. It is a good idea to purchase breeding stock from certified scrapie-free flocks.

Scrapie is transmitted primarily through infected placenta. However, an exposed animal will not get scrapie if it has a resistant genotype (DNA). The "R" gene confers scrapie resistance to sheep. Sheep can be blood tested to determine the genotype. Breeding stock with resistant genotypes can be purchased for breeding. So far, no resistant genotypes have been identified in goats.

Vaccinations

CD-T
There are many diseases for which sheep and goats can be vaccinated, but the only universally recommended vaccine is CD-T. CD-T is a three-way shot that protects healthy sheep and goats against clostridium perfringins type C and D and tetanus. The former is more commonly called enterotoxemia or overeating disease. Tetanus is a well-known disease for which people are usually vaccinated.

It is recommended that ewes and does be vaccinated for CD-T during the last four to six weeks of pregnancy. This way, offspring will acquire passive immunity when they drink the colostrum (first milk produced by the female after parturition). It is essential that newborns consume adequate amounts of colostrum in order for the transfer of immunity to be effective. Colostrum supplements do not confer any immunity to the newborn lamb or kid. Pregnant females that have never been vaccinated for CD-T should receive two shots during their last trimester.

Lambs and kids whose dams were not vaccinated for CD-T should be vaccianted for type D when they are approximatey 4 weeks of age. A pre-lambing vaccination is the only way to provide protection against type C. The immunity provided by the colostrum begins to decline significantly after approximately four weeks of age.

Lambs and kids should receive their first CD-T vaccine soon thereafter, followed by a booster shot two to four weeks later. Purchased feeder lambs and kids, including 4-H project animals, should be vaccinated for overeating disease at leat twice. Rams, bucks, and wethers should be vaccinated annually. The vaccine may be less effective in goats.

Not all producers vaccinate sheep and goats against CD-T, but it is cheap insurance against costly diseases that are common to small ruminants. While overeating disease is most common among lambs and kids that are being fed concentrate diets, it can also affect grazing animals and offspring nursing heavy-milking dams. It is almost always the best-performing lambs and kids that are stricken with overeating disease.

Tetanus is considered to be a higher risk if bands are used for docking and/or castrating. It is also a reisk on premises where horses are kept (the vaccine is of equine origin). Lambs and kids whose dams were not vaccinated for tetanus should be given the tetanus antitoxin at the time of docking, castrating, and/or disbudding.

In addition to CD-T, there is an 8-way clostridial vaccine called Covexin-8. It confers immunity for five additional clostridial diseases, including dysentery, blackleg, black disease, and botulism. The 8-way shot is an option, but not usually necessary on most sheep and goat farms, unless additional clostridial diseases have been diagnosed.

Other vaccinations
There are commercial vaccines available for soremouth, footrot, caseous lymphadenitis (CL), abortions caused by Chlymydia and Campylobacter, pneumonia, e. coli scours, and rabies. Most are approved for use in sheep, but not goats. These vacciness should probably only be used in situations where these diseases have been diagnosed by a veterinarian or diagnostic laboratory or where the disease risk is deemed high.

The souremouth vaccine contains a live virus and should be used with extreme caution, as soremouth (orf) is contagious to people and can cause painful lesions. The soremouth, footrot, and CL vaccines do not prevent disease, but are given to reduce the incidence or severity of the disease. They should not be used unless the disease is already prevent on the farm.

Worm control

Gastro-intestinal parasites (worms) are usually the primary health problem affecting sheep and goats, especially those that graze in warm, moist climates, typical of the Mid-Atlantic region. Sheep and goats can be affected by many different types of internal parasites including roundworms, tapeworms, flukes, lungworms, protozoa, and the meningeal (deer or brain) worm.

Lungworms are difficult to diagnose in the live animal and tend to be much less of a problem than the parasites that affect the GI tract. Liver flukes are less common in the Mid-Atlantic region. Tapeworms (segments) are the only worm parasite that is visible in the feces. They are considered to be largely non-pathogenic. Almost all research has shown no beneift to treating lambs for tapeworms.

Sheep and goats are abnormal hosts for the meningeal worm, a parasite of white tail deeer. The meningeal worm causes neurological symptoms and can be a significant problem on many farms. It is typically treated with high doses of anthemlintics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Ivermectin and fenbendazole are the anthelminticsof choice. Treatment may or may not be succesful. Llamas and alpacas seem to be particularly susceptible to the meningeal worm.

Roundworms (Strongyle family of worms) and protozoa (primarily coccidia) are the most common internal parasites that cause mortality and morbidity in sheep and goats, especially lambs and kids. The most common and deadly roundworm is the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). It is a blood-sucking parasite that cuases blood and protein loss to the thost and expresses itself as anemia (paleness of conjunctiva, gums, skin, and vulva) and "bottle jaw," an accumulation fluid under the jaw. The other roundworms that affect sheep and goats cause digestive symptoms, notably scours (diarrhea).

Control of the barber pole worm and other roundworms requires an integrated approach that utilizes various pasture management and grazing strategies, along with the selected use of anthelmintics (dewormers). Within and between-breed selection for parasite resistance is another worm control strategy and the one with the most long-term success.

Rotational grazing systems which allow for adequate pasture rest periods are the cornerstone of any good worm control program. Mixed species grazing can be effective at reducing paraiste burdens, as sheep and goats are affected by different worms species than cattle and horses. Rearing sheep and goats in confinement or dry lot will largely eliminate the source of infection and reinfection.

Overstocking and overgrazing are the primary causes of internal parasitism in small ruminants. Most infective worm larvae is found in the first two niches of pasture growth. Sheep and goats shoudl not be allowed to graze pastures that are shorter than 2 to 3 inches. Sheep and goats that browse will ingest fewer infective worm larvae. Forages containing condensed tannins (e.g. Sericea lespedeza) seem to be effective at reducing worm burdens in young sheep and goats.

Regular use of anthelmintics (dewormers) and whole herd treatments are no longer recommended worm control strategies. These practices are costly, unnecessary, and have resulted in the widespread development of of anthelmintic-resistant worms.

Producers should not assume that any or all anthelmintics are effective. They need to perform before and after fecal egg counts to determine the level of drug resistance on their farms. An alternative to the laborious task of fecal egg ocunts is the DrenchRite or LDA (larval development assay). This test is available at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine (drenchrt@uga.edu).

With the exception of Cydectin® for goats, all anthelmintics should be administered orally to sheep and goats, using a long metal nozzle which deposits the drug in the esophagus. The exception (for goats) is due to the fact that Cydectin® injectable has been determined to be 3.7 times more bioavailable to goats than the drench formulation of the drug. Due to a faster rate of metabolism, goats generally require higher doses of anthelmintics. Producers should consult a small ruminant veterinarian for recommended dosages. Fasting may increase the effectiveness of benzimidazole drugs and ivermectin.

Where the barber pole worm is the primary worm species, the FAMACHA© system can be used to determine the need for deworming individual sheep and goats. The FAMACHA© system utilizes a color eye chart to estimate packed cell volume (blood hematocrit). Individual animals are scored and dewormed (or not) based on their score, treatment recommendation, and other factors. Because the barber pole worm causes blood loss, a blood test is the appropriate diagnostic tool. Producers must take an approved training in order to get a FAMACHA© card.

In the event of complete anthelmintic failure, copper oxide wire particulars can be administered to control barber pole worm infections. Copper oxide wire particles have been proven to be effective at reducing barber pole worm infections without leading to toxic levels of copper in sheep or goats.

The goal of worm control isn't to eliminate parasites. It is normal for all sheep and goats to have worms. A young animal needs to be exposed to low levels of parasites in order to develop immunity. Parasitic disease results when animals are exposed to too many worms. The goal of worm control is to prevent production and death losses, not to eliminate all parasites.

Coccidia
Coccidia are single-cell protozoa that damage the lining of the small intestines and can permanently stunt the growth of a lamb or kid. Outbreaks of coccidiosis are usually associated with overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions. Coccidiostats can be put in the feed, mineral, or water to prevent coccidiosis. However, they should not be used instead of good management.

Bovatec® and Deccox® are FDA-approved for use in confined sheep. Rumensin® and Deccox® are FDA-approved for use in confined goats. Coccidiostats, especially Rumensin®, can be toxic to the equine family. Corid is used to both prevent and treat coccidiosis. As a preventative, it is mixed with the drinking water. As a treatment, it is prepared as a drench and administered to individual animals. Sulfa antibiotics are also used to treat clinical coccidiosis. The use of Corid and sulfa drugs requires consultation with a veterinarian, as neither product is FDA-approved for use in sheep and goats.

Coccidia are normally present in the guts of healthy sheep and goats. Young lambs and kids need to be exposed to low levels of coccidia so that they develop natural immunity to the parasite. Coccidiostats interfere with the reproduction of coccidia, thus reducing the number of infective spores in the environment.

It is recommended that a coccidiostat be included in the diet of ewes and does during the last month of pregnancy. An added benefit is that coccidiostats may aid in the prevention of abortions caused by toxoplasmosis (a leading cause of abortion in sheep and goats). Coccidiostats shoudl nto be fed year-round, as this may lead to drug resistance.

External parasites

Sheep and goats can be affected by a wide variety of external or ecto-parasites, including ticks, keds, lice, bots, mites, and flies. The sheep tick is called a ked. Ticks, mites, and lice can be treated with topical insecticides or anthelmintics (dewormers) from the macrocylic family: ivermectin, doramectin, or moxidectin. In the past (and still in some countries), livestock were completely dipped in vats of insecticides to control ecto-parasites.

Flies that infest the nasal passages of sheep and goats are called nosebots. Affected animals hang their heads down and typically have snotty noses. Ivermectin is effective against the larval stages of the bot fly. Blow flies lay their eggs in living flesh and develop into maggots which eat the flesh of the animal. Wooled sheep and undocked lambs are especially vulnerable to blow flies, if the wool becomes damp. Blow flies are also attracted to wounds and carrion. Treatment is removal of the maggost and application of an insecticide.

Hoof care and hoof diseases

Hoof trimming is a common management practice on most sheep and goat farms. The frequency and need for hoof trimming varies by species, breed, animal, housing, feeding, environment, and management style. While hooves can be pared with a knife, a pair of hoof trimmers or paring shears is recommended. A properly trimmed hoof is flat on the bottom and has a boxy look.

Animals with abnormal or excessive hoof growth should be culled. Proper restraint of the animal will make hoof trimming less stressful for the animal and producer. A sheep’s hooves are usually trimmed while it is resting on its rump. Tipping a sheep is a procedure shepherds should master. A goat’s hooves are usually trimmed while the goat is in a standing position.

The use of restraining equipment can make hoof trimming and similar tasks easier. A sheep sits in a deck chair in a similar manner as when it is tipped on its rump. A turntable or tilt table is used to tip the animal on its side. An automatic tilt table automatically turns the animal. An elevated work platform with a head gate works well for trimming the hooves of goats. Hooves can also be trimmed while the animal is on a milking or fitting stand.

Footrot and foot scald
Many diseases can affect the hooves of sheep and goats. Footrot and foot scald are the most common diseases. In fact, footrot is one of the most economically devastating diseases in the U.S. sheep
industry. It is a disease of the horny tissue of the hoof. It is highly contagious and has a foul odor. Footrot is caused by two anaerobic bacteria. One of the bacteria (Fusobacterium necophorum) is present
wherever sheep and goats are. The second bacteria (Bacteroides nodosus) usually walks onto the farm in the hooves of infected animals.

Foot scald is an infection of the tissue between the claws of the hoof. It does not involve the tissue of the hoof. Outbreaks of foot scald occur during periods of wet weather.

Treatment for footrot and foot scald is similar: hoof trimming, foot baths, and topical treatments. Zinc sulfate is the chemical of choice for foot baths. It is a drying agent. The footrot vaccine can be used to
reduce the incidence of footrot on infected farms. Chronically infected sheep and goats should be culled. Some sheep are genetically resistant to footrot. Limping on one more feet is the most common symptom, though not all sheep and goats that limp have footrot or scald. Limping sheep or goats should be closely examined to determine the cause of their limp.

Resources and additional reading
Understanding vaccination programs (timing is everything) - by Dr. Joe Rook
CD-T vaccinations
Minimizing disease in your sheep flock - Utah State University
Goat herd health calendar - Virginia Tech
Meat goat herd health program - University of Florida
Herd health program for dairy goats - University of Arkansas

Created or last updated by Susan Schoenian on 05-Jan-2010 .

Small Ruminant Info Sheet