86 



SHEEP DISEASES. 



This is a wound infection disease often fol- 

 lowing castration. The germ greatly resembles 

 the causative factor of anthrax, except that it has 

 rounded ends. Like tetanus, it grows only in 

 oxygen free cultures. 



Symptoms: In general the clinical picture is 

 much the same as that of blackleg. Usually the 



sheep is found dead, 

 and others may show 

 vague symptoms indi- 

 cating that something 

 is not exactly "right." 



/ ^ * s \ ^ le temperature is very 



* ox / high at the onset of the 



disease and a diarrhea 

 is usually present. Crep- 

 itating swellings similar 

 to those seen in blackleg 



can be felt on the body; the respirations are la- 

 bored ; the pulse is wiry ; and the visible mucous 

 membranes cyanotic. 



Due to the extreme difficulty in making a clin- 

 ical diagnosis, a bacteriological examination 

 should be made. 



Treatment: This is a rare disease among sheep, 

 and is very seldom seen on the range. It is usually 

 found around the barn-yard and in low, damp 

 places. No successful treatment has so far been 

 found. 



Prevention consists in moving the sheep to an- 

 other range, preferably to a higher one. It is a 

 quarantinable disease and should be reported to 

 state officials immediately. 



BACILLUS OF BLACKLEG. 



