Sheep - AgRIS

The daily requirements of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D for an adult sheep is about
2.5 g, 1.5 g and 300 to 500 units respectively. The lamb may develop rickets and in adult sheep
it may result in osteomalacia. Supplementing the diet with mineral mixture is essential.
ii) Vitamin A deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency occures in sheep on dry range country side during the periods of
drought. Clinical Vitamin A deficiency does not occur commonly because hepatic storage is
usually good if period of deprivation is not sufficiently long for these stores to reach a critically
low level. Young sheep grazing on drought stricken pasture can suffer deficient diet for 18
months before hepatic stores are depleted and the disease becomes evident. The syndrome
includes night blindness, corneal keratinization,pityriasis, defects in hooves, loss of weight and
infertility. Congential defects are common in the off-spring of deficient dams. For treatment,
place the animals on green pasture and supply vitamin A in feed.
iii) Pregnency Toxaemia of sheep
Amongst domestic farm animals the metabolic disease achieve their greatest importance
in milch and pregnant ewes. Pregnancy taxaeamia of sheep is called as Ketosis of pregnant
ewes and is highly fatal. Hypoglycaemia and Hyperketonae are the primary metabolic
distrubances in ovine ketosis. The most important etiological factor in pregnancy toxaemia is a
decline in the plane of nutrition and short period of stravation (40 hours) during the last two
months of pregnancy particularly large lambs may be affected. It is primarily a disease of
intensive farming system and is relatively rare in extensive grazing units.
The earlier sign is separation from the flocks and apparent blindness, constipation,
grinding of teeth later marked drousiness, tremours of the head, twitching of lips, champing of
jaws and salivations, circulating, sheep goes position of limb and alevation of chin(star
grazing posture), in co-ordination and falling when attempting to walk. A smell of ketones
may be detectable in the breath. In three to four days profound depression comma and death.
For treatment 100 ml of 50% glucose I/V may be given. Supply of molases in ration is also
recommended. During the last two months of pregnany a provision of concentrate at the rate
of 400 g per day; increasing to 800 g per day in last two weeks be made.
6) Posining Caused By
a) The chlorinated Hydrocarbon insecticides
This group includes DDT (Dichloro Diphency Trichloroethane), benezene hexachlordie
(BHC) its pure gramme isomer Lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, toxaphane, methocychlor,
DDD, insecticides to control external parasites on sheep or to control insect infestation of
pasture, range forage plants and crop plants. Inhalation, ingestion, aspiration and percutaneous
absorption are possible portals of entry into the body. Most of the insecticides accumulate in
the fat depots, may be excreted in the milk in dangerous amounts. Fat depots are a potential
source of danger in that sudden mobilazation of the blood stream and the appearance of signs of
toxicity. The toxic effects produced includes increased excitability and irritability followed by
muscle tremor, weakness and paralysis and teeth grinding is noticed. Complete anorexia
occurs constantly.
Treatment: Short acting barbiturate (Pantobarbitone), later followed by a dose of chloral
hydros by mouth. When the insecticide has been applied on the skin washing with detergent is
advisable. It is usually recommemded that calcium borogluconate should be given I/V possibly
together with glucose saline.
b) Organo-Phosphorus insecticides
The group includes some of the most dangerous chemicals which are highly toxic but they
are used and recommended for control of insects attacking plants, available for control of
internal parasites of sheep. Some of the compounds are chloration, carbophenothion, Demton,
Dasnon, Dimethylaparation, Trichlorphon, Dioxalthion, Malathion, Darathion, Scharadan etc.
For blow flies, keds, lice and ticks diazon, cobal malathion are used. The recommended
concentrations of dips sprays are 0.04% diaznon, 0.25% for coral, 0.5% for malathion. As
anthelmintics Rueleam (Asuntol), Coral (Bayer 21/199) and Neguvon (Bayer L13/59), have
been used. The clinical signs of poisoning are profuse salivation, muscle stiffness dyspnoea,
with open mouth breathing diarrhea and muscular tremors. Such cases can be treated by given.
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