Guide: Managing Pneumonia in Sheep

Isolate the Affected Sheep: To prevent the spread of pneumonia within your herd, promptly separate the sick sheep from healthy ones. Establish a quarantine area where the infected sheep can recover without further endangering others. Monitor for common symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and isolation.

• Ensure Comfortable Conditions:
• Provide a warm and dry environment for the sick sheep to facilitate recovery. Avoid humid settings that can worsen breathing difficulties and extreme temperatures that impede healing.

Consult a veterinarian to discern between viral and bacterial causes. A veterinarian can conduct tests to diagnose pneumonia, such as a simple blood test or a chest x-ray. Treatment for viral pneumonia involves managing complications with antibiotics. Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with specific antibiotics.

Administer prescribed medications to alleviate symptoms in sheep, especially lambs. Common medications for pneumonia in sheep include Naxcel and Nuflor, given via injections over 2 to 3 consecutive days. Inject in a muscular area, like the back of the neck, after sanitizing. If unsure, seek guidance from your vet. Consider acetaminophen for fever, given orally or injectable if the sheep isn't eating.

Ensure your sheep receives proper nutrition for recovery. Supplement their diet with vitamin mixtures like SheepDrench and probiotic paste for digestion while on antibiotics. Add soybean meal or beet pulp for extra nutrition. In severe cases, your vet may suggest a feeding tube. Offer electrolytes if the sheep isn't drinking, administered forcibly if necessary.

Screen for and eliminate any parasites. Parasites can cause pneumonia and worsen the condition by spreading bacteria. Your vet can diagnose parasitic infections through tests and symptom observation. Treat internal parasites with medications like Moxidectin or Ivermectin, dosed according to the animal's weight.

Observe behavioral changes. One of the initial indications of pneumonia is a general lack of energy, disinterest, and overall lethargy. This may manifest notably in eating and drinking habits. If your sheep displays a general disinterest in food, it's advisable to monitor closely.

• Observe your sheep's interactions with the flock. If it struggles to keep pace with and engage with the rest of the flock, it could be a sign of illness. You may observe it standing alone, away from the rest of the flock.

Check your sheep's temperature. Utilize a rectal thermometer, inserting it into the sheep's rectum early in the morning before it becomes active or is exposed to heat. A temperature exceeding 103 °F (39 °C) suggests potential illness.

• If you're unfamiliar with using a rectal thermometer, seek advice from your vet or a knowledgeable individual to ensure no harm comes to the animal.

Listen for coughing and difficulty breathing. If your sheep displays unusual behavior and has an elevated temperature, it's important to watch for other common pneumonia symptoms, such as coughing. Sheep experiencing respiratory issues may cough and exhibit wheezing with labored breathing.

• Keep in mind that rapid, labored breathing in warm weather is normal for animals, so consider the environment and circumstances.

Check for eye or nasal abnormalities. Sheep with pneumonia may exhibit a whitish discharge from the nose and watery eyes that appear to be tearing. Their eyes may also seem dry and sunken in some instances.

• In advanced stages, sheep may produce a frothy discharge from the mouth due to breathing difficulties.

Consult your vet regarding vaccination. Especially if your herd has been grappling with persistent pneumonia issues. Typically administered 4 to 6 weeks apart initially, followed by annual boosters. However, their efficacy may be limited, and additional measures can complement prevention efforts.

Maintain cleanliness in the sheep's environment. Urine and feces emit gases harmful to the respiratory system, increasing pneumonia risks. Additionally, damp bedding can induce chilling, heightening vulnerability to pneumonia.

Regulate barn temperature and humidity. Sheep are resilient but extremes should be avoided. During cold winter nights, ensure barns offer adequate warmth and shelter. Moreover, control humidity levels as excessive moisture can exacerbate or precipitate respiratory issues.

• Ensure proper barn ventilation to prevent stagnant air, which can lead to respiratory problems.

Minimize stress levels. Animals enduring consistent stress from transportation, birthing, or intensive milking are more susceptible to diseases. For susceptible sheep, diligent monitoring is essential amidst such conditions.

Avoid overcrowding in your herd. Sheep confined in tight, overcrowded spaces are at higher risk of pneumonia and other diseases. Ensure ample space for movement, feeding, and access to fresh air.

• Sheep pneumonia, also referred to as respiratory disease complex, pasteurellosis, or shipping fever.
• The predominant bacteria implicated in sheep pneumonia are Pasteurella haemolytica or Pasteurella multocida, or sometimes both.
• Sheep recovering from pneumonia are prone to recurrence or other subsequent health issues.

• Provide a warm, dry environment for rest and habitation
• Antibiotics
• Veterinary care
• Antiviral medications (if pneumonia stems from a virus)