PASTEURELLA HAEMOLYTICA COMPLICATED RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS IN SHEEP AND GOATS
By: "Brogden, Kim A., Lehmkuhl, Howard D., Cutlip, Randall C."
About the Author
Interpretive Summary:
Respiratory tract diseases are a leading cause of loss from disease in the cattle, sheep and goat industries. Annual loss in the United States is estimated to exceed one billion dollars. Losses are from mortality, reduced feed efficiency, and slaughter condemnations, as well as prevention and treatment measures. Currently, not all the factors leading to the development of pneumonia are known by scientists and veterinarians. As part of our ongoing studies to understand the disease process, the factors initiating the onset of respiratory infection in sheep and goats were reviewed. Initially stress, previous respiratory viral infection, or preexisting bacterial infection can predispose animals to secondary bacterial pneumonia caused by Pasteurella haemolytica. To grow and colonize, P. haemolytica uses enzymes, toxins, and proteins to cause lung tissue damage. In lambs and kids, pneumonia can be acute, characterized by fever, listlessness, poor appetite and sudden death. Sheep and goats which survive the acute stage may recover or become chronically affected showing reduced lung capacity and weight gain efficiency and sporadic deaths may occur. Corollary benefits include an increase in the profitability and international competitiveness of the U.S. cattle industry, a stronger rural economy, and a continued supply of inexpensive, wholesome beef, and beef products for the American consumer.
Keywords:
sheep cattle pasteurella respiratory disease ruminant resistance vaccine slow virus acute virus adenovirus
