Animal parasites and diseases and treatments

livestock diseases

An animal is said to be diseased when there is a change from its normal way or state of its body processes. This prevents its normal body function.
As a result the animal becomes weak, silk, ill and cannot give its maximum performance when needed, as per egg production, work execution, milk production and meat/wool production.

Animal diseases are generally caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other parasites, or they may be due to metabolic disorder. Some of the livestock diseases of importance are discussed below. YOU CAN SEE HERE FOR SOME SOUL TEACHINGS

1. VIRAL DISEASES.
I. Food and mouth Disease of pigs, goat and cattle
This disease is common in areas with poor drainage systems and high humidity. The animals affected are goat, sheep, cattle and Pigs.
diseases of rabbit

Causes or causal organism/
It is causes by virus picked up in the soil. So keeping animals or livestock requires great dexterity and care
you read my post on types of Lice here

Symptoms
The symptoms of the disease include formation of blisters on the mucus membrane of the mouth, on the skin, between and around the hoofs, as well as the teat.

METHOD OF TRANSMISSION

The disease could be transmitted through infected materials such as urine, milk, meat and excrement of infected animals. It can also be transmitted mechanically by humans or animals.

CONTROL METHOD.

The control methods are as follows;
(i) Infected animals should be isolated.
(ii) Contaminated materials should be buried or burnt.
(iii) Milk from infected animals should not be consumed.
(iv) Animals should be vaccinated regularly.

2. RINDERPEST

This is an important disease in areas with large numbers of animals or livestock. The disease attacks cattle, sheep and goats.

CAUSAL AGENT

It is causes by a virus.

SYMPTOMS;
The symptoms which are evident are high fever, weakness, difficult breathing, and formation of lesions on mucous membranes of the nose, anus and the eyes, pus discharge from the lesions mixed with blood. The faeces smell badly and the animal may die.

METHOD OF TRANSMISSION
Rinderpest is contagious-(human contagious diseases) and transmission I therefore through contact. Contamination of feeds and water by excrement from an infected animal helps to spread the disease.

CONTROL

This can be achieved as listed below.
i. Animals should be regularly vaccinated.
ii. Only healthy animals should be introduced into the herd
iii. There should be strict prohibition of cattle movement from place to place so as to control the spread of the disease.

3. NEWCASTLE DISEASE
This a very common disease found among fowls anywhere in the world. It attacks all categories of fowl either young or old.

CAUSES OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE

Newcastle disease is caused by a virus.

SYMPTOMS OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE

The disease shows three clinical features

i. Respiratory symptoms read here respiratory system
ii. Digestive symptom —-=== digestive system
iii. Nervous symptoms==== nervous system

All these symptoms may combine in a situation. Respiratory and digestive symptoms are the early signs of the disease while the nervous symptom is the last stage of Newcastle disease.

1. RESPIRATORY SYMPTOM
Definite sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge dypnoea ……. Resulting in difficult breathing and congestion

2. DIGESTIVE SYMPTOM
The birds usually shows lack of appetite and diarrhea

3. NERVOUS SYMPTOM
The bird practically shows sign of paralysis, muscular tremor, somersaulting and cycling movement.

TREATMENT OR CURE
NEWCASTLE DISEASE HAS NO KNOWN CURE AS AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS POST

CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT OF VARIOUS ANIMAL DISEASES

INTRODUCTION
It is impossible to accurately estimate all the losses caused by livestock diseases.

In Agriculture, it is estimated that losses caused by mortality, reduced productivity, lower fertility, condemned products, and restricted access to potential markets
Those losses represent almost 15% of the production costs associated with the livestock industry. Livestock production is an integral part of the way-of-life for the people of the world. Many farmers and ranchers depend upon livestock production for their livelihoods.
Consumers expect adequate supplies of meat at economical prices. With livestock mis-management and spread of diseases, we are all affected, which is why in Nigeria most people are afraid to but meat from roadside sellers.

CAUSES OF DISEASES
Disease causes the body to function improperly.

Three principal reasons most often mentioned for the spread of diseases are
1. poor sanitation,
2. improper management, and
3. Introduction of new animals into a herd. One or more of the following defects cause diseases. Nutritional defects – An imbalance of required food nutrients in the ration is the cause of nutritional defects.
4. Animals receiving inadequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and protein cannot produce efficiently. Therefore, their levels of resistance to disease are lowered. Physiological defects
5. These defects cause an improper functioning of glands, organs, or body systems.

The relationship between the diet and the proper functioning of body parts is directly related. For example, the thyroid gland regulates the rate of body metabolism and depends upon an adequate supply of iodine to function properly.read more about balanced diet

An improperly functioning thyroid gland may increase the nutritive requirements of animals to the point that very few nutrients are available for growth or production.

2 – Morphological defects (physical defects)
An accident or negligence is responsible for physical defects. Cuts, scrapes, scratches, bruises, and broken bones are examples of morphological defects.
Any one of these can temporarily or permanently reduce the efficiency of an animal.
Good management practices help eliminate defects of this nature.

PATHOGENIC EFECTS
CHARACTERISTICS OF DISEASE CAUSING ORGANISMS
Certain organisms produce toxins or poisons that upset the normal metabolic activity of the animal. Viruses and bacteria are the most common disease-causing pathogens.
They are microscopic in size and capable of multiplying themselves under ideal environmental conditions.
* Other pathogens are fungi and protozoans.

Viral diseases are the most difficult to control because viruses closely resemble the chemical compounds that make up a cell.
Another problem in controlling viruses is that the chemicals capable of killing or controlling them also kill or destroy the host cell.
PREVENTIVE VACCINATIONS are the most successful method of controlling viral diseases.

BACTERIA are microscopic in size, produce powerful toxins, and multiply rapidly.
Many bacteria are capable of forming spores, resistant forms of bacterial cells able to withstand severe environmental conditions.
These spores are difficult to control and may lie dormant for years before being provided with the opportunity to cause disease.
Antibiotics are used successfully to control bacteria. Fungal diseases are caused by fungi, which are small organisms.
Many disease-producing fungi live in the soil. It is often difficult to determine the cause of fungal diseases, because bacteria cause a secondary infection and are often erroneously identified as fungi. Protozoa are one celled and the simplest form of animal life.

HOW DO PROTOZOA MOVE ABOUT?
Some protozoa cannot move themselves and must be transported by other means.
Some move by making whip-like lashes or vibrating projections. A number of different kinds of protozoa prey upon animals and cause disease.

EIGHT GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Animals to be added to a farm should be isolated for at least 4 weeks before they are placed with the herd.
This includes both new animals and those removed from the herd and exposed to other animals.
A sound immunization program should be followed.
Clean, healthful surroundings should be provided.
Rations must be nutritionally adequate.
Visitors and new animals should not be allowed in the livestock area.
Diseases should be accurately and quickly diagnosed.
A competent veterinarian should be consulted when a health problem arises.
Livestock should be handled properly.

Examples of how to handle animals include the following,
1. Canvas slappers, rather than clubs and whips, should be used.
2. Protruding nails and broken boards should be eliminated
3. Machinery and equipment should be removed from the lot
4. Horned cattle should be dehorned.
5. Barns and trucks should be bedded properly.
6. Animals should be loaded slowly and carefully.
7. Partitions should be used to separate different classes of livestock.
8. Livestock should be protected from inclement weather.
9.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMON DISEASES

All farm animals are susceptible. Iron deficiency prevents the formation of hemoglobin, a red iron containing pigment in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen to the cells.
Characterized by general weakness and a lack of vigor.
WHAT IS A BLOAT?
Balanced ration usually prevents the occurrence of anemia.
Bloat typically occurs when animals are grazing on highly productive pastures during wet seasons.
Swollen abdomen on the left side, labored breathing, profuse salivation, groaning, lack of appetite, & stiffness. Maintain pastures composed of 50% or more grass.
Improper feeding. Pain, sweating, & constipation, kicking, & groaning. Careful feeding.
Bacteria and over-eating.
Constipation is an early symptom & sometimes followed by diarrhea.
Antitoxin vaccine should be used at the beginning of the feeding period. Founder Overeating of grain, or lush, highly improved pasture grasses. Affected animals experience pain and may have fever as high as 106 degrees F. Good management & feeding practices prevent the disease.

VIRAL DISEASES
Cholera Caused by a filterable virus. Loss of appetite, high fever, reddish-purplish patchwork of coloration on the affected stomach, breathing difficulty& a wobbly gait.

A preventive vaccine is available.
Producers should use good management. Equine Encephalomyelitis Viruses classified as group A & B are transmitted by bloodsucking insects, such as the mosquito. Fever, impaired vision, irregular gait, muscle spasms, a pendulous lower lip, walking aimlessly. Control of carrier, use of a vaccine.

HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA
Used by a bacterium that seems to multiply rapidly when animals are subject to stress conditions.

Fever, difficulty in breathing, a cough,
Discharge from the eyes & nose.
Vaccination several days prior to shipping or other periods of stress.
Newcastle Poultry disease
Caused by a virus that is spread by contaminated equipment or mechanical means. Chicks make circular movements, walk backwards, fall, twist their necks so that their heads are lying on their backs, cough, sneeze, and develop high fever & diarrhea.
Several types of Newcastle vaccines are available, antibiotics are used in treating early stages of the disease.
Protruding growths on the skin.
Most effective means is with a vaccine.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMON DISEASES
BACTERIAL DISEASES
Pneumonia Bacteria, fungi, dust, or other foreign matter.
The bacterium, pasturella multiocida, is often responsible for the disease. A general dullness, failing appetite, fever & difficulty breathing. Proper housing, ventilation, sanitation, and antibiotics. Tetanus A spore-forming anaerobe bacterium is the cause.
The spores may be found in the soil & feces of animals. Difficulty swallowing, stiff muscles, & muscle spasms. Immunizing animals with a tetanus toxoid. Atrophic Rhinitis Two different bacterium,
Bordetella bronchiospetica & Pasturella, cause atrophic rhinitis. Affects the nose, making it crooked and wrinkled. Sneezing, nose bleeds, and a tear-stained face occur.
Sanitation and a good health program are important for prevention.
Vaccines are available.
Anthrax spore,
Forming bacterium causes the disease. Fever, swelling in the lower body region, a bloody discharge, staggering, trembling, difficult breathing, & convulsive movements.

An annual vaccination.
Manure & contaminated materials should be burned & area disinfected.
Insects should be controlled. Blackleg (Cattle-Sheep) A spore-forming bacterium that remains in an area permanently. The germ has an incubation period of one to five days & is taken into the body from contaminated soil & water. Lameness, followed by depression & fever.. The muscles in the hip, shoulder, chest, back, & neck swell. A preventative vaccine. Brucellosis Caused by bacteria.
Brucella abortus is the bacterium.

The abortion of the immature fetus is the only sign in some animals. Vaccinating calves with abortus prevent cattle from contacting the disease. Infected cattle must be slaughtered. Distemper (Horses) – Contagious. Exposure to cold, wet weather, fatigue, and an infection of the respiratory tract aid in spreading the disease. Increased respiratory rate, depression, loss of appetite & discharge of pus from the nose are visible symptoms. Infected animals have fever & swollen lymph glands, located under the jaw Animals with disease should be isolated, provided with rest, protected from the weather, and treated with antibiotics.

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You can read some of most interesting topics below

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
20. INCUBATORS
21. MILKING MACHINE
22. SIMPLE FARM TOOLS
23. AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION
24. THE CONCEPT OF MECHANIZATION
25. PROBLEMS OF MECHANIZATION
26. SURVEYING AND PLANNING OF FARMSTEAD
27. IMPORTANCE OF FARM SURVEY
28. SURVEY EQUIPMENT