Small Ruminants

Question 1

T or F:
The ewe and the doe ovulate while they’re in estrus.

Answer 1

true.

• *ewe**: estrous cycle—> 17 days
• estrus*: 30 hours
• doe*: estrous cycle—> 21 days
• estrus*: 36 hours

Question 2

What’s the most common pregnancy diagnostic?

Answer 2

non-return to estrus

Question 3

What is the best time for ultrasound evaluation & detection of twin pregnancy in sheep & goats?

Answer 3

45-90 days

mid-abdomen in front of udder

Question 4

What is Ringwomb?

Answer 4

failure of cervix to complete dilate;

associated with dystocia, naturally…

*relatively common in ewe*
{considered heritable}

Question 5

What do retained fetal membranes tend to be associated with?

Answer 5

Infections & other periparturient dz

Question 6

What are the key features of Pregnancy Toxemia?

Answer 6

• Final trimester of pregnancy
• multiple fetuses
  
  • twin pregnancies req.180% more energy than singletons
  • triplets req.240% more energy than singletons
• negative energy balance
• obese/extremely thin ewes
  more prone to developing condition

Question 7

What are the 5 R’s in treating Vaginal Prolapse?

Answer 7

• *R**estraint
• *R**eplacement
• *R**etainment options
• *R**eassessment
• plastic prolapse retainer; shoelace pattern; Buhner
• *R**emove {cull}

Question 8

What disease features:

• swollen face, tongue, ears
• ulceration of coronary band—>lameness
• ulcerated mouth & nose

& fetal malformations: hydroencephaly & arthrogryposis

Answer 8

• *Bluetongue**
• Orbivirus*

SW U.S. & Central America

transmitted by Cullicoides

Question 9

Which dz causes congenital defects, hairy fleece, darker pigmentation, & tremors?
“Hairy-Shaker Lamb”

Answer 9

Border Disease Virus {BDV}
Pestivirus

also results in hydrancephaly & cerebellar hypoplasia

Question 10

Which Brucella has a higher likelihood of causing abortion?

Answer 10

Brucella melitensis
{more commonly seen in goats}

Question 11

What is Cache Valley Disease?

Answer 11

Dz spread by mosquitoes causing fever, depression…
→invasion of placenta→ fetus…

• stillbirth
• congenital defects: arthrogryposis, brachygnathia, predilection for CNS tissue
  
  • hydrancephaly
  • microencephaly

Question 12

Which virus is found in Australia, Africa, & Asia, is transmitted by Cullicoides and mosquitoes, resulting in a lack of clinical signs in the dam?

Answer 12

Akabane Virus!
fetal defects: arthrogryposis, hydrancephaly, hydrocephalus

Question 13

Which Brucella causes epididymitis in rams?

Answer 13

Brucella ovis

widespread in western portions of N. America,
but rarely a cause of abortion in sheep

Question 14

Which pathogen is the most significant cause of abortion in sheep in N. America, especially Western US?

Answer 14

• Campylobacter*
• C.jejuni →* sporadic abortion
• C.fetus fetus → large outbreaks* of abortion
• **ZOONOTIC*
• rare in goat*

target lesions → hepatic necrosis
Tx: tetracyclines & remove pregnant ewes

*vaccinate before breeding & booster*

Question 15

Key features of *Chlamydophila abortus…

*remember: also produces pneumonia, keratoconjunctivitis, epididymitis, & polyarthritis in sheep & goats*

Answer 15

Enzootic Abortion of Ewes

• zoonotic
• obligate intracellular organism
• important cause of abortion in goats
• placentitis → late-term abortion

necrotic placentitis of inter-/cotyledonary areas
Dx: Zeil Nelson stain {histopath}
Tx: tetracyclines in outbreak; vaccination

Question 16

Q Fever {Coxiella burnetii} is zoonotic and shares features with Chlamydia. An obligate intracellular rickettsial pathogen, which small ruminants are more commonly associated with abortion outbreaks?

Answer 16

goats>sheep

Question 17

How is estrus in the doe characterized?

Answer 17

Time from the moment doe stands to be mounted until refusal
{tail wagging, bleating, restlessness, pacing, vulvar swelling}

Question 18

How is estrus in the ewe characterized?

Answer 18

Vulvar swelling, anorexia