June 2014
Contact Elise Matthews, Phone: (08) 8207 7837 Email: elise.matthews@sa.gov.au
Pneumonia/Pleurisy
Pneumonia is an infection and
inflammation of the lungs. If the
pneumonia is severe, or develops in a
certain way, the inflammation can extend
to the chest cavity and cause parts of
the lungs to stick to the chest wall; this is
referred to as pleurisy. Onset can be
either rapid or slow and is most
commonly seen in lambs, weaners and
hoggets.
Pneumonia – note the dark
section of the lungs
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
On Farm
At the Abattoir

 Trimming - with pleurisy the chest cavity/ribs are trimmed
resulting in a significant reduction in carcass/dressed
weight.
 Carcass condemnation – rare, occurs if
pneumonia/pleurisy is very recent (i.e. there is pus in the
chest cavity).


Reduced growth
rate/weight loss – can be
significant.
Deaths
Cost of treatment
WHAT CAUSES PNEUMONIA/PLEURISY?
Usually a complex combination of multiple factors including:
1. An infectious agent – bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi
2. Weather and environmental conditions (especially hot, dry, dusty
conditions);
3. Poor sheep/lamb immune system (often a result of ‘stress’).
It can also be caused by drench or dip fluid accidently passing into the windpipe and
down into the lungs.
WHAT MIGHT BE SEEN ON FARM?
1. ‘Summer’ pneumonia (slow onset or chronic non-progressive pneumonia)
most commonly seen during warmer months:
 In most cases the condition is sub-clinical with no obvious signs (but growth
rate is affected – it is a ‘silent’ profit killer); and
 Coughing, nasal discharge, difficulty breathing and/or lagging behind the
mob when moved may be noticed.
2. Rapid onset pneumonia (also called acute fibrinous pneumonia)
 Sheep/lambs may stop eating, appear dull, separate from the flock and
have nasal discharge and difficulty breathing
 Deaths; and
 Sheep that survive usually do poorly, often as a result of pleurisy.
TREATMENT
If the condition is detected on-farm antibiotic treatment may be used.
PREVENTION
Due to the complex nature of and multiple factors involved in the development of
pneumonia/pleurisy no single management practice is used to prevent the disease.
Producers should consider as many of the following points that may be achievable
on-farm to help reduce the incidence of pneumonia/pleurisy on their property.
1. Yarding/Mustering
 Drive sheep slowly (avoid mechanical means and over-enthusiastic dogs if l
possible)
 Avoid overcrowding in yards and prolonged or unnecessary yarding
 Avoid yarding stock when conditions are hot, dry and/or dusty if possible
(consider hosing yards prior to yarding to reduce dust)
 Avoid yarding stock in extremes of temperature (high or low)
 After yarding, let stock walk slowly back to paddocks at their own pace
(don’t drive them); and
 Ensure continual access to clean water.
2. Optimise stock health/minimise stress
 Avoid sudden diet changes
 Avoid or minimise the mixing of mobs
 Ensure good worm control and appropriate vaccinations
 Avoid and address any nutritional or mineral deficiencies; and
 Provide appropriate shelter from extremes of temperature.
3. Drenching/dipping technique
 Be careful not to lift the animal’s head too high when drenching (ensure new
workers are shown how to drench properly); and
 Avoid plunge dipping thirsty sheep.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Contact the Enhanced Abattoir Surveillance (EAS) Program manager Dr Elise
Matthews, your local veterinary practitioner, livestock consultant or local PIRSA
Animal Health Officer.
FOR ANY SIGNS OF UNUSUAL OR SERIOUS DISEASE, PLEASE
CALL THE ANIMAL DISEASE HOTLINE: 1800 675 888