PART II 



DISEASES OF SHEEP. 



GENERAL CONDITIONS. 



SHEEP are subject to as great variety of diseases as most other 

 farm animals. Some of the diseases are much more common 

 than others, and this fact together with the great similarity in 

 the behavior which the animal shows in most diseases, has 

 led flock-masters to think that sheep are subject to few ailments. 

 The similarity in behavior in the early stages makes it difficult to 

 form a diagnosis without a thorough examination of the animal and 

 surroundings. 



In examining a sheep, the behavior, appearance, general condi- 

 tion and surroundings must all be taken under consideration. The 

 history should be obtained from the attendant as frequently that is 

 of importance in arriving at a diagnosis and in determining the line 

 of treatment. In none of the domestic animals, can disease be more 

 successfully combatted by prevention than in sheep. It is along this 

 line of treatment that we must direct greatest attention as the ani- 

 mals are not good patients when once attacked. 



The symptoms inform us as to the condition of the animal at 

 the onset and during the progress of a disease. Thus we have the 

 symptoms connected with (a) the pulse; (b) the respiration; (c) 

 body temperature; (d) the mucous membrane; (e) surface of the 

 body; (f) secretions and excretions; and (g) nervous system. 



The pulse is not as good a guide to the condition of the sheep as 

 in the horse or cow as it is too readily influenced by excitement, by 

 the presence of strangers and unusual handling. We obtain the pulse 

 in sheep by pressing the femoral artery on the inside of the thigh. 

 The pulse in the healthy sheep is subject to considerable variations, 

 from 60 to 80 beats per minute, and when excited or nervous may 

 run considerably above one hundred. The following varieties of 

 pulse are recognized in disease: frequent or infrequent, quick or 

 slow, large or small, hard or soft, and regular or intermittent. The 

 frequency of the pulse has reference to the number of pulsations per 

 minute; quick or slow has reference to the time required for the pulse 

 wave to pass; large or small to the volume of blood that passes; hard 

 or soft to the sense of feeling while passing under the finger; and 

 regular and intermittent to the interval between the beats. There 

 may be a number of beats regular in time and then the missing of 

 one or two, or there may be an acceleration of a few beats. The con- 

 dition of the circulation may also be judged by placing the hands on 



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