HEALTH AND DISEASES OF FARM ANIMALS
The following is used to indicate the state of health of an animal:
1) Loss of Condition – A healthy animal does not usually lose weight easily. A sick animal however, loses weight due to
the following reasons: lack of feed, disease infection, parasitic infection
2) Skin and Coat (Hair) – A healthy animal has a soft, smooth, shiny coat and pliable skin.
- Ill animals are often indicated by dull, ruffled coat in which tuffs appear
- The skin can also become hard and leather like
3) Body Odour – A healthy animal has a unique body odour which is not offensive
- Sick animals have a body odour that is offensive and also has an unpleasant breath.
4) Mouth and Eyes – Excessive saliva can be caused by irritation resulting from infections of the tongue, cheek and jaws.
If the infection becomes more serious, the flow of saliva decreases, and the animal develops a temperature
- Healthy animals have moist, clear eyes; however, sick animals have dulled, discoloured eyes.
5) Body Temperature – A rise in temperature without any apparent reason is generally caused by ill-health or injury.
6) Diarrhoea – The droppings are usually smelly. The animals isolate themselves.
FACTORS WHICH PRE-DISPOSE ANIMALS TO SICKNESS AND DISEASES
Disease is understood to be any change from normal conditions. It means a state condition brought about in the living
organism by microorganisms, metazoan, protozoa or parasites that are threatening to the health and well-being of that
organism. The following terms are used to describe the seriousness of a disease or sickness:
(i) Acute: a condition which is quick and short-lived
(ii) Chronic: a condition difficult to cure, with long-term effects.
The following factors which predispose animals to sickness or disease are:
(i) Management – bad management practices e.g. feeding, housing, inoculation and unsanitary conditions.
(ii) Stress – e.g. debeaking, movement of an animal.
(iii) The tolerance – factor of the animal itself
DISEASE CAUSE AND PREVENTION
 Losses to the farmer due to animal disease are of two kinds:
- Mortality – death of an animal by natural causes
- Morbidity – death due to sickness or disease
 Humans can be infected by diseased animals such as; ringworms, cowpox, anthrax, tuberculosis, rabies.
 Diseases are caused by six major agents: bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites, poisons, metabolic malfunctions.
BACTERIA
 Bacteria multiply at phenomenal rates – Adequate food supply, optimum oxygen and moisture are conditions
needed for optimum bacterial growth and reproduction.
 Many species of bacteria can form spores – Each bacterium develops a highly-resistant thick outer coat which
insulates it from extremes of heat and cold.
Common Bacterial Diseases:
 Black leg
 Anthrax
 Tuberculosis
 Mastitis
 Contagious abortion
Measures to be taken to prevent bacterial disease:
 Cleanliness – Sterilize all utensils using hot water of disinfectant. Boiling kills most bacteria while disinfectants either
kill them or make them inactive.
 Immunization – Vaccination or injection of a serum
 Curative – Use of antibiotics; Antibiotics are chemical substances produced by certain fungi which have the power of
killing bacteria or making them completely inactive. Use of drugs; Sulphur drugs can control bacterial disease.
FUNGI
 Fungi diseases are rear in the Caribbean. Ringworm however, may cause discomfort to both man and animals.
 Fungi thrive in dark, damp conditions and they need a supply of food to survive. Therefore, buildings should be wellventilated to ensure a fresh dry atmosphere which should also be kept clean and well-lit.
 Germicides used on animals include: carbolic and salicylic acids, iodine, washing soda, fungicides
VIRUS
 This is the smallest of the disease-causing organism
 They can multiply rapidly and can change their form and modify their structure to adapt to a changing environment
 These diseases are transmitted via food, air and water so cleanliness is important.
 Preventative and curative measures mentioned for bacterial disease apply for virus disease.
 Foot and Mouth, New Castle disease, Swine Fever are example of diseases caused by viruses.
PARASITES
 These are organisms which live and feed on other organisms
 They can either live on or in their host and can be divided into two groups:
 Internal Parasites – These feed on the food substances in the alimentary canal of their hosts depriving the animal of
its full share of nutrients. Examples are worms, e.g. ringworms, tapeworms
 External Parasites – These feed on blood but can transmit disease, e.g. ticks can cause fever in animals. Examples of
external parasites are lice and ticks.
Preventative Measures:
 Proper disposal of faeces
 Cause irritation and restlessness
 Rob the host of nutrients
 Reduce the value of the hide
Control of Parasites:
 Internal Parasites are controlled by: drenches, oral pellets, medication placed in water, medication mixed with feed.
 External Parasites are controlled by: spray, dips, dusting