ARTHRITIS OF LAMBS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21154, 29 September 1938, Page 3

ARTHRITIS OF LAMBS

INCIDENCE OF TROUBLE INSPECTION RECORDS At the recent gathering of farmers at the Smithfield freezing works when matters pertaining to diseases in sheep were discussed, one farmer, Mr R. G. Cleiand, of Sutherlands, related the trouble he had had to contend with in order to overcome arthritis of lambs. Mr Cleland dealt with the matter in a clear and concise manner and gave a deal of useful information to those present. Carcases were on exhibition and they were an object lesson of why animals were condemned during the killing season. The most commonly affected parts as the result of arthritis are the leg, and bock and knee joints. Meat inspection records show that horses throughout the season are considerable and that quite a large number are partially condemned from this cause. Apart from this the disease is also responsible for economic loss to the sheep-owner through the check sustained by those lambs which are lame temporarily and recover. With the lambing season now on and as infection usually gains entrance subsequent to marking, farmers should take every care to avoid risk of the disease by adopting preventive measures. Symptoms of Disease In speaking recently of arthritis of lambs, Mr G. K. L. Knott, veterinarian of the Livestock Division of the Department of Agriculture, said that as its name indicates, it is a disease of the joints, and it is caused in the main by a bacterium called erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. The organism usually gains entrance through the docking, castration or earmarking wounds. In a small minority of cases it gains entrance through the recently-severed navel cord shortly after birth. In these instances, symptoms will be shown when the lamb is about 10 days old. However, the disease usually occurs as a sequel to marking. The symptoms are fairly well defined and no great difficulty should be experienced in diagnosis. It makes its appearance about 10 days after marking. Its onset in a flock of lambs is usually sudden. A number of the lambs will become stiff in the joints and disinclined to move about, and examination will reveal tenderness of the joints, usually the stifle, hock, knee, and elbow. Only a percentage of those lambs will show any swellings. The symptoms of the disease are caused by the germ setting up an inflammation in the joints. The affected lambs rapidly lose condition, as the course of the disease takes about three weeks to a month. It is fortunate that at least 80 per cent of those affected recover, no permanent blemish remaining, but in a small percentage the disease continues in a chronic form, there being permanent deformity of a joint or joints. It is these latter which are subject to partial condemnation at the works, for in addition to the unsightliness of the thickened joint, there is definite wasting in the muscles of the affected limb. "More Prevalent in Wether Lambs” “As a rule more cases occur in wether lambs than ewe lambs. This is due to the absence of a castration wound increasing the chances of infection. Many owners are of the opinion that the disease is due to bad weather subsequent to marking. This belief is groundless, for it occurs under diversified climatic conditions. The disease is due to a specific organism and the only part which bad weather subsequent to marking might play is that lambs under such conditions would tend to lie about more for the sake of shelter so enhancing th*’ • chances of contracting infection from the ground. “There is no specific cure once the disease occurs. Gentle and regular exercise will assist in overcoming the stiffness, but once a lamb becomes chronically affected there is no hope of recovery. “Prevention should be aimed at. however, by the use of clean temporary yards at marking time, and scrupulously clean methods of operation. The bloodless castrating Instrument and hot iron for tailing may assist in prevention. Lambs should be encouraged to keep on their feet as much as possible subsequent to marking. The application of a weak antiseptic to the skin of the tail and purse before and subsequent to operation, may be of value. However, the main points arc clean, temporary yards, sterilisation of instruments by boiling before use, and clean methods of marking.”