Livestock Biosecurity Factsheet Current at 24 June 2013 Check for updates at agric.wa.gov.au Arthritis in sheep By Dr Roy Butler, veterinary officer What is arthritis? Arthritis means inflammation of one or more joints. In Western Australian sheep, arthritis is usually the result of infection with Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteria. Arthritis usually causes lameness and visible swelling of at least two joints in the legs. Which animals are most at risk? Young lambs are most susceptible to arthritis infection. All breeds are susceptible, but arthritis is more common in Merinos, probably because many are both mulesed and shorn. Mulesing and shearing lambs markedly increases the risk of arthritis. Causes of arthritis Bacteria enter the body through broken or wet, softened skin. In WA, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteria are most commonly responsible for arthritis in sheep, causing the disease called erysipelas. E. rhusiopathiae bacteria can survive in soil, faeces and water for varying periods, but the main source of infection for lambs is probably their own mothers, who may carry the organism with no ill effect in the tonsils and pharynx. In addition to E. rhusiopathiae, other organisms occasionally cause arthritis, including the bacteria Histophilus ovis, Escherichia coli and some Streptococci and Staphylococci. Chlamydia psittaci — an organism which is neither a virus nor a bacterium — may also cause arthritis. It is not possible to identify the specific organism solely from the appearance of arthritic sheep. Lambs are most likely to become infected: at or soon after birth. Infection may enter via the umbilical cord, especially in wet pasture at marking (ear marking, tailing, castration) at mulesing when the lamb’s mother licks the wound. (Mulesing increases the risk of arthritis by seven times.) at shearing via cuts. (Shearing lambs increases the risk of arthritis by four times.) when held in yards after shearing or after mulesing at other times when the skin is broken or wet e.g. dog bites and dipping. Swollen, painful hock joints due to erysipelas infection. Signs of arthritis swelling of usually two or more limb joints, including the elbow, front knee (or carpus), stifle (the true knee, in the hind leg) and hock joints lameness, with reluctance to walk and increased time spent lying down. Usually more than one joint is affected, so sheep will often walk with a short-stepping, shuffling gait and hunched back weight loss because of pain, reduced appetite and reduced mobility. Animal welfare Although some sheep will recover spontaneously, a small proportion will remain chronically lame and in poor condition. These animals should be humanely destroyed. Important disclaimer The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from use or release of this information or any part of it. How a vet can help Always consult a veterinarian when sheep are lame, as there are numerous causes of arthritis and of lameness in sheep, including some exotic diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease. A veterinarian will provide the correct diagnosis and advise on the appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent deaths, and reduce losses due to condemnation of limbs or whole carcasses at slaughter. How to treat arthritis Once the cause of the arthritis is established, appropriate treatment can be given. A veterinarian may prescribe an effective antibiotic. If sheep are severely lame and emaciated, recovery will be unlikely. These animals should be humanely destroyed. If an outbreak of arthritis first occurs in recently mulesed lambs, it may be difficult to treat any immediately without causing further pain and distress to the lambs. Usually, many will recover spontaneously in 7–10 days without treatment, but it is important to assess the group frequently and initiate treatment as soon as possible, to minimise the number of chronically affected lambs. How to prevent arthritis To prevent outbreaks of arthritis, if possible eliminate or minimise the predisposing conditions listed in the Causes of arthritis section above. Not shearing or mulesing lambs will markedly reduce their risk of developing erysipelas arthritis. When marking or mulesing lambs, disinfect equipment as frequently as possible and do not do this work in wet or muddy conditions. If arthritis continues to be a significant problem despite taking all possible preventive measures, and a veterinarian has identified the condition as erysipelas arthritis, then consider vaccinating ewes. Erysipelas vaccine is not available in combination with other commonly used sheep vaccines so will be an additional vaccination. Ewes need to be vaccinated twice initially with at least 4 weeks between doses, and then once every year. Give the second, or in subsequent years the single vaccination, to the ewe about 4 weeks before lambing starts. Vaccinating ewes before lambing will protect the lamb for the first 8 weeks of life, covering the time of marking/mulesing. Swollen ‘knees’ (carpal joints) due to erysipelas infection. Do not vaccinate lambs at the same time as mulesing or marking as it is unlikely to prevent infection being acquired on that same day. It is also against the product label directions. Call a vet when sheep are lame as it could be an exotic disease Arthritis of sheep can resemble numerous other diseases that cause lameness, most importantly the exotic diseases foot-and-mouth disease and bluetongue. It can also resemble footrot, foot abscess, laminitis due to grain overload, scabby mouth affecting the lower legs, strawberry footrot, rickets, and white muscle disease due to selenium or vitamin E deficiency. Even grass seeds, caltrop or doublegee, can cause lameness in lambs, which can resemble arthritis at first. The Significant Disease Investigation Program, through the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia and Animal Health Australia provides subsidised veterinary investigations for any livestock disease with high stock losses or similar disease signs to an exotic or reportable disease. Laboratory testing will often be free of charge. Search ‘SDI’ at agric.wa.gov.au for more information on this program. Producers play a vital role in the early detection of exotic diseases in Australia. If you see: unusual disease signs abnormal behaviour unexpected deaths in your stock, ring your local veterinarian, DAFWA veterinary officer or the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888. Copyright © Western Australian Agriculture Authority, 2013 Copies of this document are available in alternative formats upon request. 3 Baron-Hay Court South Perth WA 6151 Tel: (08) 9368 3342 Email: [email protected] Website: agric.wa.gov.au Table 1. Other diseases that arthritis can resemble Disease Comments Bluetongue disease (exotic to Australia) Bluetongue typically affects the lips, tongue and gums of sheep, but lameness also often occurs due to inflammation of the skin just above the hooves of one or more feet. Many live export trading partners restrict entry of stock from countries with bluetongue disease. Although Australia has an effective surveillance program for bluetongue virus, it is important to have a veterinarian investigate any signs in sheep that look like bluetongue disease. DAFWA and Animal Health Australia (AHA) will subsidise the cost of this investigation through the National Significant Disease Investigation Program. Ask your veterinarian for more details. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) (exotic to Australia) Early detection of a case of FMD will be critical in reducing its impact on the Australian economy. In sheep, the only easily seen sign of FMD infection may be lameness. If you have sheep that are lame or that have sores on their mouth or feet, contact a veterinarian to investigate the cause. DAFWA and AHA will subsidise the cost of this investigation through the National Significant Disease Investigation Program. Ask your veterinarian for more details. Footrot This infection begins in the skin between the claws and may progress to underrunning the soles and walls of the hoofs. Lameness may vary from very mild to severe. Footrot is a reportable disease in WA. Foot abscess Usually affects one or two feet. There is a painful swelling just above the hoof and a pussy discharge. Laminitis due to lactic acidosis The feeding history – of excessive or too rapid introduction to grain or pellets – and clinical examination will help to distinguish lameness due to laminitis (painful feet) from that due to arthritis (painful joints). Scabby mouth affecting the lower legs Identifying and controlling scabby mouth is important where sheep are being sold for live export as some markets reject sheep with scabby mouth. Scabby mouth can be prevented by vaccination. Discuss a suitable vaccination program with your exporter and veterinarian. Strawberry footrot This is an infection of the lower limbs by the same bacteria (Dermatophilus congolensis) that more commonly causes lumpy wool or dermo. The skin is covered with firmly attached scabs. Rickets This disease results from a calcium-phosphorus dietary imbalance and sometimes from inadequate sunlight. Veterinary investigation will be necessary to establish a diagnosis. Selenium or vitamin E deficiency (white muscle disease) The sheep walk stiffly, often with a hunched back and may be reluctant to stand. The problem is due to muscle damage, not joint infection. Grass seeds, caltrop or doublegee These may lodge between the digits or pierce the soles of young lambs, causing lameness. Easily diagnosed. . Important disclaimer The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from use or release of this information or any part of it.
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