Sheep - AgRIS

Atropin sulphate 2.0 mg/kg. body weight:1/3 to be giving I/V in 10 ml. distilled water and rest
S/C.
c) Snake bite
Venormnous snakes fall in to 2 classes: the elapine snakes which include cobra and the
viperine snakes which comprise Russels viper, Elapino snakes have short fangs and tend to
chew their victims. Their venom is neurotoxic and kills the victim by paralysing the
respiratory centres. Viperine snakes attack once and then withdraw . Their venoms mainly
haemolytic causing pronounced local damage.
Experimental work suggest an order of decreasing sensitivity is horse, sheep, ox, goat, dog,
pig and cat. Sheep is usually bitten on udder or scrotum. The presence of hair may abscure
the typical fangs marks though a close examination should reveal the point of entry. Prolonged
pain, muscular weankess, impaired vision, nausea, paralysis are generally exhibited. Shock in
all its classical elements accompanies all severe snake bites.
If antivenin is not available and the bite is located in an area where tourniquatus cannot be
applied excision of an area of skin, 7 cms. in diameter, including the associated sub-cut tissue
may be life saving. Normally no treatment is possible due to sudden death in grazing areas.
d) Electricution
One of the natural calamity where death ensues in few seconds. Common couses are short
circuit in electric line, leakage of current in wire fencing.
The animals are generally found dead with eyes wide open and pupil dilated. The anus
may also left dilated with some faecal material voided out. On autospsy haemorrhages of
varying size are observed under the skin and viscra. Heart may show streaks of haemorrhages
on myocardium with pin point haemorrhanges. The blood may appear black and liquified.
This needs to be differentiated from lightening stroke when there is no evidence of lightening
fall and no signs of scrarching and sinking of skin and hairs on the body of the animal.
e) Wouds
During monsoon season, a large number of animals suffer from wounds at various sites.
Around the ear, sternum, under surface of fore and hind legs are usual places. The main reason
may be the awns of Aristida and Hetropogan grasses, which initially break the continuity of
skin which is attacked by flies making the wound infected and maggoty. Antiseptic dressing
with fly repellents, i.e turpentine with chloroform is applied over the wound and adjacent area.
As the weather changes the incidence is also reduced.
Grass seed infestation viz. Hetropogan controtus and Aristida sp. play a vital role in
certain areas in the production of stress in young lambs with consequent ill effects. Abcess
formation specially on various places at head and legs are not uncommon. It causes
conjunctivitis, opacity of cornea and blindness.
f) Dystokia (Caesarean operation)
Common causes are insufficient opening of cervical canal, heavy lambs specially
crossbreds, position of embryo, uterine torsion. The pregnant ewe should not have fever and
the operation should be conducted at a clean place on clean table.
Skin of the near about area is to be cleared and shaved with soap water and on cleaned
area Tricture iodine or similar antiseptic prepaation should be applied.
2% Novocain is the best anesthesia which can be used. Left or right flanks can be used.
Right side is better because, rumen is not an obstacle and uterus will be found immediately
after opening 20-25 cm. long incision leaving 3 fingers from tubercoxae directing towards
knee joint. The impregnated horn should be lifted towards the opening and uterus should be
opened taking care that no embryonal water should go in the peritioneal cavity. Alive lamb
should be cared by an helper, who should clean it. The umbilicus should be cut nearnest to
endomestrium and uterus should be closed keeping sufficient antibiotic, specially terramycin
and closed though catgut. Skin should be sutured separately with muscles. Muscles can be
sutured with intermittent sutures putting sufficient antibiotic to aviod any sepsis. For 3-4 day,
antibiotic should be given parentrally also.
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