10.

LIVESTOCK HEALTH 3:
1
(LIVESTOCK DISEASES)
 A disease is any alteration in the 5. Infectious disease /
state of the body of an organism or communicable /
its organs which interferes with the transmittable disease- a disease
proper performance of its functions. caused by a pathogen which enters
Terms used in livestock diseases. the body and triggers the
development of an infection.
1. Fever- refers to rise in body
temperature. 6. Incubation period- This is the
period between the time of
2. Symptoms- visible signs of a infection and the time of first
disease. symptoms show up.
3. Contagious disease- Disease  It is the period during which the
that is spread through contact. animal remains normal in
4. Causal organism or agent- appearance although it is harboring
refers to micro-organism that the pathogen
causes disease. 7. Recovery- This is the return to a
healthy state by a sick animal.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

2
8. Zoonotic disease- This is a disease that can ii. Curative treatment- it tries to
be passed from livestock to humans and vice restore a sick animal to health. It is
versa, e.g. brucellosis and anthrax. done through:
9. Mortality-This is the likelihood of death  Good feeding.
occurring and is usually expressed as a
percentage (%) of the affected animals and  Provision of clean environment.
those that die.  Neutralizing the ill effects produced
10. Treatment- this is the application of physical by the disease.
and chemical means to an animal to help it  Inducing repair of damaged tissues.
recover from a disease or prevent it from
getting a disease.  Relieving discomfort/ injury to the
animal.
Types of treatment
 Preventing further spread of disease.
i. Preventive treatment- involves the
administration of drugs to prevent the
occurrence of a disease.
 It is done through vaccination, use of
prophylactic drugs e.g. coccidiostats against
coccidiosis.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

3

11. Vectors- they are carriers of B. Artificial immunity-it is

pathogens e.g. ticks. acquired later in life. It is not
12. Immunity: This is the ability of an passed from parents to offspring. It
animal's body to resist the infection of can be:
a disease. i) Active artificial immunity-is
Types of immunity obtained when an animal resists a
pathogen.
A. Natural immunity- this is the
ability of an animal to maintain itself ii) Passive artificial immunity-
free from infection. It is passed from obtained through injection of
parents to offspring. It can be: serum/ through vaccination.
i) Actively acquired natural
immunity –it develops after the
animal has recovered from a disease.
ii) Passively acquired natural
immunity-which is passed through
the mother’s blood, colostrum or
milk.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
4

13. Predisposing factors- they vi) Environment.

are conditions inside/ outside vii) Overcrowding.
the body of animal which lead
viii) Physiological conditions e.g.
to the animal contracting a
fatigue, weakness and
disease/ injury.
pregnancy.
 They include:
ix) Animal coming into contact
i) Age of animal. with sick animals.
ii) Sex of animal.
iii) Colour of animals.
iv) Change of
climate/environment.
v) Heredity.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
 Classification of diseases.
5

A. Protozoan diseases. C. Viral diseases.

i) East coast fever. i. Rinderpest.
ii) Anaplasmosis ii. Foot and mouth disease.
iii) Coccidiosis. iii. Newcastle.
iv) Trypanosomiasis (nagana). iv. Fowl pox.
B. Bacterial diseases. v. Gumboro.
i) Mastitis. vi. African swine fever.
ii) Foot rot. D. Nutritional diseases.
iii) Brucellosis(contagious abortion). i. Milk fever.
iv) Scours. ii. Bloat.
v) Black quarter/black leg.
vi) Anthrax.
vii) Pneumonia.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

 A. PROTOZOAN DISEASES.
1. East coast fever (ECF)/ Theireliosis.
6

(a) Animal Attacked-Cattle. v) Breathing difficulties in later

(b) Causal Organism- A protozoan stages due to accumulation of
called Theirelia parva transmitted fluid in the lungs.
by the brown ear tick. vi) Haemorrhages/bleeding in the
(c) Incubation period -15 days. vulva and the mouth.
(d) Symptoms. vii) Coughing.
i) Swollen lymph nodes around the viii) Sight impairment.
base of ears and shoulders. e) Control and Treatment.
ii) High temperature (fever). i) Control of ticks.
iii) Production of a lot of saliva (profuse ii) Treatment using appropriate
salivation). drugs.
iv) A lot of tears come out of the eyes iii) Fencing the farm to keep out
(lachyrmation). strange animals and confining the
animals in.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
 2. Anaplasmosis (gall sickness)
7

(a) Animals attacked-Cattle, sheep d) Symptoms.

and goats. (i) The animal develops fever.
(b) Causal organism- Protozoan (ii) There is constipation or hard
known as Anaplasma marginale dung.
which is transmitted by the Blue
tick (Boophilus decolaratus). (iii) Paleness in the gums, eyes and
lips in later stages (anemia.)
 It can also be transmitted through
contaminated surgical instruments, (iv) Milk flow into the udder ceases
bleeding and hypodermic needles. hence production goes down.
c) Incubation period of between e) Control and Treatment.
3-4 weeks. i. Control of ticks and biting insects
e.g. mosquitoes and flies.
ii. Treatment using intramuscular
injection of antibiotics and iron-
giving injections.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

 3. Coccidiosis.
8

(a) Animals Attacked- Poultry, calves, young e) Control and Treatment.

rabbits, kids and lambs. (i) Use of coccidiostats.
(b) Causal organism- A protozoan known as (ii) Isolation of infected animals/ cattle.
Coccidia of the Eimeria sp
(iii) Avoiding wet, filthy and unhygienic
c) Incubation period- Poultry -7 days and animal surroundings.
Cattle -4 weeks.
(iv) Cattle from different farms should
d) Symptoms. not drink in a common watering
(i) Diarrhoea. point.
(ii) Dysentery or blood in the dung. (v) Avoid overcrowding in the poultry
(iii) The animal becomes emaciated. house.
(iv) The birds have ruffled feathers.
(v) The birds also become dull with drooping
wings.
(vi) Sudden death in birds, rabbits and kids.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
 4. Trypanosomiasis/nagana
9

a) Animals affected-Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs 8. Diarrhoea.

and horses. 9. Rough coat and cracked skin(where there is
b) Causal organisms- Protozoan of no hair)
Trypanosoma spp. transmitted by tsetse flies. 10. Swollen parts of the belly.
c) Incubation period-1-3 weeks. 11. Reduced milk production..
d) Symptoms. 12. Loss of hair toward the tail end.
1. High temperature/ fever. 13. Anaemia.
2. Dullness. 14. Abortion in pregnant females
3. Emaciation/loss of weight. (d) Control and Treatment.
4. Loss of appetite. (i) Treatment with trypanocidal drugs.
5. General weakness of the body. (ii) Control of tsetseflies.
6. Swollen lymph nodes. (iii) Confinement of game animals in game parks.
7. Lachrymation /running eyes which leads to
blindness.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
 B. BACTERIAL DISEASES.
10
1. Mastitis.
 It is characterized by the inflammation of the vi. Poor hygiene/ sanitation-
udder. which increases multiplication of
(a) Animals Affected- Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, bacteria.
camels and horses. vii. Poor milking technique- which
b) Causal Organism. causes mechanical injury and
sagging of udder.
i. Streptococcus species.
d) Symptoms.
ii. Staphylococcus species.
i. Milk contains pus, blood, thick clots
c) Predisposing Factors. or turns watery.
i. Age-old animals are likely to be infected than ii. When udder and teats are swollen,
young ones. animals reject suckling
ii. Stage of lactation-animals are likely to or milking and also kicks due to
suffer at the beginning and at the end of pain.
lactation. iii. Death of the infected quarter.
iii. Udder attachment- sagging udder with long iv. Milk has salty taste and there are
teats are more prone. fine clots or flakes particularly the
iv. Incomplete milking- milk left in the udder fore milk.
acts as culture medium for bacteria.
v. Mechanical injuries- wounds on teats/
udder allow entry of micro-organisms. 26-Jun-21 © Sam obare
11

e) Control and treatment. vi) A strip cup should be used to

i. The affected quarter of the udder is detect infection. Infected cows
emptied of milk and an antibiotic is should be milked last.
instilled and left for 12 hours. vii) Separate udder clothes should
be used for each animal or the
ii. After every milking, use teat dip on udder clothes are disinfected
every quarter. after milking each animal.
iii. Using the right milking technique. viii) Sharp objects should be
iv. Strict cleanliness and use of removed from grazing and
milking
disinfectants during milking. areas to prevent teat injuries.
v. Dry cow therapy - This is the ix) Open wounds on the teats
infusion antibiotics into the teat canal should be treated immediately.
when drying off the cow. x) Complete milking.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

12

Dry cow therapy

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

 2. Fowl typhoid.
13

a) Animals affected-chicken, turkey and 5. Greenish yellow diarrhoea.

ducks. 6. Death within few days.
b) Causal organisms- bacterium called d) Control and treatment.
Salmonella gallinarum. i. All affected birds should be killed
c) Symptoms. and properly disposed of.
ii. Poultry house should be clean,
1. Birds show signs of depression. dry and well ventilated.
2. Birds have respiratory distress and are iii. Regular vaccination.
dull. iv. Eggs for hatching and chicks
3. Drooping wings and sleepy eyes. rearing should be obtained from
reliable resources.
4. The combs and wattles become pale v. Treatment by use of Sulphur
and shrunken because of anemia. drugs in water/ feeds.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

 3. Foot rot (foul-in-the foot)
14
a) Animals affected-Cattle, sheep and goats. v. Lying down most of the time when hind legs
b) Causal organism-Bacterium called are affected.
Fusiformis sp. vi. Emaciation/loss of weight due to lack of
feeding.
c) Predisposing factors.
e) Control.
i. Wet and muddy conditions.
i. Proper hygiene/clean environment/ avoid
ii. Cracked hooves caused by overgrowth. dampness/ muddy condition.
d) Symptoms. ii. Regular hoof examination and hoof trimming.
i. Swollen foot. iii. Regular walk in the foot bath containing
ii. Limping/pain when animal walks and copper sulphate or formalin.
lameness. iv. Treating wounds using antiseptics.
iii. Pus and rotten smell come out of the foot. v. Isolation of sick animals from healthy animals.

iv. The sheep/animal kneels when grazing

when for legs are affected.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

 4. Contagious abortion/ brucellosis/
Bang’s disease.
15

 It is zoonotic, contagious and infectious. v. Low libido in males.

a) Affected animals-Cattle, sheep, goats and vi. Inflamed testis (orchitis) in males.
pigs. d) Control.
b) Causal organism. i. Use of artificial insemination.
 Cattle- Brucella arbotus. ii. Cull and slaughter affected animals.
 Pigs- Brucella suis. iii. Young animals should be vaccinated against
 Goats and sheep- Brucella malintesis. the disease.
c) Symptoms. iv. The attendant should avoid contact with
i. Spontaneous abortion/ pre-mature birth. aborted foetus.

ii. Retained placenta/after birth after abortion. v. Cleanliness must be maintained in the
animal’s house.
iii. Infertility/Barrenness in cows.
vi. Blood test should be carried out to detect the
iv. Odourless, yellowish, slimy discharge from the infected animals followed by proper
vulva after abortion. treatment.

26-Jun-21 © Sam obare

 5. Scours.
16
a) Animal affected- Calves, piglets, lambs and v) Sudden death if there is no treatment.
kids.
vi) Undigested milk and mucus with blood spots are
b) Causal organism- Bacterium called observed on the faeces. Faecal matter sticks to the
Escherichia coli. which affects young animals hind legs.
during the first week of life.
vii) Recovered animals remain generally weak.
c) Predisposing factors.
viii) Sunken eyes.
i. Unhygienic conditions in the houses of young
ones. ix) The animal becomes listless/ dull.
ii. Poor feeding. e) Control.
iii. Overfeeding of calf on milk. i. Maintain cleanliness in young animal houses.
iv. Feeding calves on cold milk. ii. Avoid dampness on the floor of the animal houses.
v. Lack of colostrum. iii. Calf houses should have raised floor.
vi. Feeding at irregular intervals. iv. Fingers must be disinfected if they are used to train the
calf to feed from the bucket.
d) Symptoms.
v. Calving should be done on clean and disinfected area.
i. White yellowish diarrhoea in calves.
vi. As soon as the symptoms appear milk should be
ii. Faeces of affected animals have a pungent replaced with warm water mixed with glucose.
smell.
vii. Separate infected calves.
iii. Fever/ high temperature.
viii. Treatment using antibiotics.
iv. Loss of appetite.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
 6. Black quarter/black leg.
17

a) Animal affected- Cattle, sheep, goats of viii. The animal stops chewing cud.
ages between 8-18 months.
ix. Sudden death occurs.
b) Causal organism.
x. Blood oozes from the anus and
 A bacterium called Clostridium chauvei which nose of dead animal.
permanently remain in the soil.
xi. If affected muscles are cut they
 It enters the animal body through wounds and appear black
contaminated water.
xii. There is bloody froth that
c) Symptoms. smells like rancid butter.
i. Lameness. d) Control.
ii. Affected parts of the body become swollen. i. Treatment with antibiotics.
iii. Fever/ body temperature rises. ii. Vaccination using blanthax.
iv. The sick animal breathes heavily and faster. iii. The carcass should be buried
v. The animal becomes dull and goes off feed. deep or burnt completely.
vi. When swollen parts are touched they crackle.
vii. Grunting and grinding of teeth.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
 7. Anthrax.
18

 It is infectious, zoonotic and notifiable. iv. Tar-like watery blood comes out of the
a) Animals attacked-Cattle, sheep, goats, body openings in the dead animal. Blood
pigs, man and wild animals. does not clot easily.
b) Causal organism. v. Lack of rigor mortis in dead animal.
 Bacterium called Bacillus anthracis.  Rigor mortis is the stiffness of the body
after death.
 The bacteria is found in faeces, and soil.
d) Control.
 The animal gets the disease through the bites,
feeds and water and through open wounds. i. Treatment using large doses of anti-
anthrax serum.
c) Symptoms.
ii. Use antibiotics e.g. penicillin.
i. The animal is swollen on the underside of
the body. Also excessive bloating/swelling iii. Vaccination using Blanthrax.
of the stomach after death. iv. Treatment of wounds.
ii. Animal develops fever/ rise in v. Quarantine incase of outbreak.
temperature. vi. The carcass must not be opened.
iii. Blood stains in the faeces and milk. vii. Proper disposal of the carcass e.g. deep
iv. Throat swells in pigs which may cause burying or burning.
death due to suffocation.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
 8. Pneumonia/lung fever.
19

a) Animal attacked-Calves, kids, lambs, v. Emaciation.

piglets, poultry. vi. Rapid/ faster breathing.
b) Causal organism. vii. Abnormal lung sounds e.g. hissing,
 Bacterium called Mycoplasma mycoides, gurgling and bubbling when
dust and worms in lungs. breathing.
c) Predisposing factors. viii. Fluctuating body temperature.
i. Poor ventilation. ix. Nasal mucous discharge.
ii. Overcrowding. e) Control and treatment.
iii. Young age. i. Keep young animals in warm pens.
iv. Effects of diarrhea and other illnesses. ii. Maintain hygiene/sanitation.
d) Symptoms. iii. Isolate sick animals
i. Dullness and reluctance to move. iv. Early treatment using antibiotics.
ii. Loss of appetite.
iii. Rough /ruffled hair /coat.
iv. Frequent coughing due to congestion in
the bronchioles.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
 C. VIRAL DISEASES.
20
1. Rinderpest.
 It is highly infectious, contagious and vi. Mucous membrane of the nose
notifiable. and mouth become red and
a) Animals affected- Cattle, develop wounds and ulcers.
sheep, goats, pigs. vii. Emaciation/loss of weight.
b) Causal organism. viii. Animal grinds the teeth.
 Virus with incubation period of 3-15 ix. Death after 2-10 days.
days. d) Control.
c) Symptoms. i. Vaccination every 6 months.
i. High fever/temperature. ii. Quarantine after outbreak.
ii. Staring coat. iii. Kill all affected animals/mass
iii. Discharges in the mouth and slaughter.
nose. iv. Nurse animals with disinfectants
iv. Eyes appear watery. on wounds.
v. Diarrhea and dysentery. v. Use of antibiotics to prevent
other diseases.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
 2. Foot and mouth disease.
21

 It is highly infectious and contagious disease v. Loss of appetite.

a) Animal attacked-Cattle, sheep, goats and vi. Drop in milk production.
pigs. vii. Emaciation.
b) Causal organism- Caused by virus of type viii. Smacking of the mouth.
A, C and D which affects the mucous
membrane of the mouth and coronet of the e) Control.
foot. The incubation period is 2-6 days. i. Quarantine.
c) Mode of transmission- contaminated ii. Vaccination every 6 months.
litter, feet, garbage, injection needles and iii. Mass slaughter of affected
affected saliva. animals.
d) Symptoms. iv. Disinfect animal hooves to stop
i. Profuse and continuous salivation. the spread.
ii. High fever.
iii. Blisters/ wounds in the mouth and feet.
iv. Lameness due to wounds in the coronet on
all the legs.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
 3. Newcastle. 26-Jun-21 © Sam obare

22

 It is a contagious, infectious and notifiable vii) There are nasal discharges which force the
disease of poultry. birds to shake their heads to clear it.
a) Animal affected-Poultry. viii) Birds walk in staggering motion.
b) Causal organism-Newcastle disease virus ix) Drooping wings and bending of the neck.
whose incubation period is 5-7 days. x) Birds produce watery greenish diarrhea.
c) Symptoms. xi) Eggs laid have soft shells.
i) Birds have difficulties in breathing. They Control.
produce a harsh, grating rasping sound
when breathing. i. Vaccination during first six weeks and two
months later.
ii) The beaks remain wide open and necks are
strained. ii. Quarantine.
iii) Birds become dull. iii. Mass slaughter and burning affected birds.
iv) Birds stand with eyes closed all the time. iv. Cleaning and disinfecting poultry houses.
v) The birds loose appetite.
Symptoms of newcastle.
vi) Often the birds have their beaks and wings
down.
 4. Fowl Pox. © Sam obare 26-Jun-21

23
d) Symptoms.
 It is infectious poultry disease.
i. Injuries/lesions are observed on the comb,
(a) Animals Affected- Poultry e.g. chicken, wattles, legs, vent, feet and under the wings.
turkeys, pigeons
ii. Difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
b) Causal Organism-A virus known as
Avian fox with incubation period- 3-14 iii. Loss of appetite.
days. iv. Emaciation/poor growth.
c) Predisposing factors. v. Watery discharge from the eyes or nose in early
i. Presence of wounds. stages.
ii. Presence of biting insects e.g. mosquitoes/ vi. Dullness.
mites. vii. Poor egg production.
e) Control and treatment.
i. Vaccination.
ii. Observe proper hygiene.
iii. Isolation and treatment of affected birds
iv. Mass slaughter of the affected birds.
 5. Gumboro disease (infectious
bursa disease).
24

a) Animal affected-Poultry e.g. v. Low water intake.

chicken, turkeys, pigeons and vi. Severe immuno-suppression
ducks. making the birds more
b) Causal organism-A virus susceptible to other diseases.
called Birna virus. vii. Mortality/ death rate
c) Incubation period- 2-3 increases.
days. e) Control.
d) Symptoms. i. Vaccination of birds showing
i. Glands of the vent/bursa signs of disease.
become swollen. ii. Use of vitamins B12 for fast
ii. Decrease in egg production. manufacture of blood.
iii. Respiratory distress.
iv. Loss of appetite.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

 6. African swine fever.
25

 It is a contagious, infectious and fatal d) Control.

disease of domestic pigs. i. Vaccination incase of disease
a) Animal attacked-Pigs. outbreak.
b) Causal organism-Virus called ii. Quarantine.
Irido virus with incubation iii. Kill and properly dispose off
period 5-15 days. affected animals.
c) Symptoms. iv. Double fencing to keep wild
i. Fever/rise in temperature. animals away.
ii. Lack of appetite. v. Avoid consumption of pig
iii. Animal becomes depressed. products from pandemic areas.
iv. Animal becomes generally weak.
v. The animal starts coughing.
vi. Nasal discharge.
vii. Diarrhoea.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

 D. NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS.
1. Milk fever (Parturient paresis).
26

a) Animal affected-Cows, goats and iv. The animal lies down on its side and
sheep that have recently given birth. the whole body stiffens.
 It is common in high producing cows in the v. Complete loss of appetite.
first few months of lactation. vi. Body functions e.g. urination,
b) Cause. defecation and milk secretion stops.
 Low calcium levels in blood which leads to vii. Animal falls down and becomes
increase in magnesium and sugar level in unconscious.
blood. viii. Sudden death if there is no treatment.
 This is because animals lose more calcium ix. Stomach contents are drawn into the
through milk secretion than they are getting mouth which later cause lung fever
from diet. when breathing in.
c) Symptoms.
 Symptoms appear 12-27 hours after birth.
i. Dullness.
ii. Muscular twitching causing trembling of
the animal.
iii. Staggering of the animal as it moves. © Sam obare 26-Jun-21
27

d) Control.  The animal suffering from milk fever

i. Feeding high yielding cows with should not be given medicine
ration containing calcium, through the mouth because of the
phosphorus and vitamin D. following reasons:
ii. Partial milking for first 10 days in 1. It will not be able to swallow the
cows with history of milk fever, medicine.
then gradually increasing the 2. The medicine may get into the
amount of milking. lungs which may cause lung fever
iii. Intravenous injection of soluble and eventually death.
calcium.
iv. Animals should be kept in a
comfortable position i.e. resting
on its sternum. Mechanical
removal of urine to facilitate
recovery and providing fresh
water.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21

 2. Bloat.
28

 This is the accumulation of gases in the rumen as c) Symptoms.

a result of food fermentation. i. The left side of the abdomen
a) Animal affected-Cattle, goats and sheep. is excessively extended.
b) Causes.  It is filled with gases and this can
i. Obstruction of the oesophagus due to bulky be felt by pressing with the
food particles e.g. potatoes, carrots, mangoes. hand.
ii. Abnormal pressure exerted on the oesophagus ii. Death may occur within hours
by swelling in the wall of the chest. due to too much pressure
exerted on blood vessels,
iii. Indigestion- caused by accumulation of gases lungs and heart.
due to paralysis of the rumen and valve at its
entrance.
 This results from the animal eating poisonous
herbs or due to change of feeds especially soft
green forage which is taken in large quantities.
 The condition is worsened if the forage (e.g.
clover, beans, Lucerne, lush grass, peas, cabbage
leaves, beetroots) is wet with dew or rain.
© Sam obare 26-Jun-21
29

d) Control iii. Chemical means- they include:

i. Feed the animal with dry roughages 1. Drenching of the animal using suitable
during wet season before allowing oils e.g. turpentine oil mixed with
them feed on lush pastures. vegetable oil.
e) Treatment 2. Administration of Epson salt to clear
i. Manual means- Exercising the the remaining rumen contents.
animal and rubbing its abdomen with 3. Administration of methyl silicone as
both hands to facilitate the rumen injection directly into the rumen to
eject gases. prevent bubble type of bloat.
ii. Surgical means- piercing the Procedure of using trocar and canula.
abdominal wall over swollen rumen  Insert the trocar into canula.
using trocar and canula, sharp knife to
expel the gas.  Insert both equipment into enlarged area
i.e. left side.
 The gases can also be ejected/ expelled
using stomach pump through the  Withdraw the trocar while holding the
oesophagus into the rumen. canula to allow gases expulsion.

© Sam obare 26-Jun-21