Code controlled and notifiable diseases - Sgns and control plus not notifiable ones

Please note each of these diseases will be published on this blog under the disease name with lots op tips from experts for prevention and control. 

Mycobacterium avium

Johne’s disease (Mycobacterium paratuberculosis)

Signs are wasting, recurring ill thrift and diarrhoea – have a veterinarian confirm the disease

Control methods for producers living in OJD prevalent areas

Management practices:

For properties allegedly free from OJD

Only buy stock from low risk properties (closed properties and properties that repeatedly tests negative)

When the status is unknown, take care to buy inoculated stock wherever possible.

Enlarged lymph nodes

For contaminated properties

Slaughter stock that loses weight unexpectedly as soon

as possible.Inoculate all breeding animals at the age of 

six weeks.Try not to feed stock on the ground, use 

feeding troughs. A bacterium is carried by faeces.

Do not allow the ewes to lamb on old established pastures.

 Lamb on cultivated pastures developed since the previous season.

Do not keep thin and sick animals in the ram camp. This is where the most expensive stock on the farm is kept and exposure of such stock should be avoided. Only buy stock from low risk properties

For producers that farms outside OJD prevalent areas:

Uncontaminated farms

Should you experience a repeated occurrence of wasting sheep a post mortem should be done immediately by a veterinarian. Only buy stock from low risk properties (closed properties and properties that repeatedly tested negative) Request a OJD declaration from the seller.

Contaminated farms

Follow procedures as with properties in OJD prevalent areas.

Old and new lesions

(Psoroptes communis ovis) Sheep Scab

Any suspect condition should be reported to the closest State Veterinarian who will deal with the outbreak, according to state regulations. Preventative treatment for sheep scab must be done before any movement of sheep between properties. 

Other external diseases (not notifiable)

When a disease is detected it is always a best practice to inform your nearest 

veterinarian and your neighbouring farms when applicable.

Sheep Lice (Bovcola ovis)

Infestation starts from contact with infested sheep and good management are required to avoid this problem. 

B.ovis

Control - If a neighbour’s sheep has lice your sheep should get it. Dipping, quarantine and good communication and record keeping can eradicate this problem.

A dipping declaration by the previous owner should be part of any purchase documentation. Alternatively, purchased stock must be kept in quarantine until treated for both scab and lice as a preventative measure. Monitor all sheep for lice infestation – Lice are most prevalent in wintertime. 

When infected 

(i) Dip all sheep, including lambs, with a registered product.

(ii) When dipping is not possible, treat all sheep, including lambs with a registered pour-on.

(iii) Notify your neighbours and your nearest veterinarian

Blowfly management

A blowfly attack and the associated infestation of sheep with maggots can be considered a disease and should be managed accordingly. An integrated blowfly management strategy is essential. 

Lucina cuprina- Blowfly

Be aware of conditions favourable for blowfly attacks and plan your control measures accordingly.

1. Blowfly traps These will reduce the blowfly population in the environment. Be sure to have them activated before the start of the fly season. 

2. Doramectin injections will give limited protection for up to 2 to 3 weeks.

3. Treat all susceptible sheep with an insect growth regulator as soon as conditions indicate a blowfly population explosion.

4. None of the above measures will result in 100% prevention of blowfly strike and the monitoring of sheep is still required. Affected sheep should be treated immediately with a registered product.