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PubMed1988

Effect of myiasis and acute restraint stress on plasma levels of immunoreactive beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) and cortisol in the sheep.

Cutaneous myiasis in sheep arising from the activity of Lucilia cuprina larvae can result in significant physiological changes in susceptible animals. The stress imposed on the pituitary-adrenal axis of the sheep in response to myiasis and acute restraint is the subject of this investigation. Merino wethers were exposed to handling restraint, and blood sampling, during examination for blowfly strike; where necessary, they were treated for cutaneous myiasis. Significant changes in the plasma concentrations of immunoreactive beta-endorphin (beta-EP), ACTH and cortisol were found in sheep with extensive myiasis, as compared with unstruck sheep or those with only localized myiasis. In five susceptible sheep with extensive cutaneous myiasis, mean plasma levels of beta-EP, ACTH and cortisol were 307 +/- 71 pg ml-1, 953 +/- 58 pg ml-1 and 232 +/- 46 nmol l-1 respectively, compared with 818 +/- 89 pg ml-1, 641 +/- 41 pg ml-1 and 107 +/- 17 nmol l-1 in six unstruck sheep handled similarly. Whereas significant increases in plasma ACTH and cortisol can result from pituitary-adrenal responses to acute emotional or surgical stress, and are usually accompanied by a concomitant release of beta-EP from the pituitary, the present findings indicate a marked reduction in beta-EP levels and a significant increase in ACTH and cortisol in sheep following blowfly strike and acute handling restraint. This result suggests that cutaneous myiasis in susceptible sheep can alter the pituitary-adrenal response to acute restraint stress, and this could occur either by an alteration of precursor processing in the pituitary or by the selective release of ACTH.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2006

The prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in cattle and sheep in the lower North Island, New Zealand.

AIM: To genotype Escherichia coli cultured from the faeces of healthy cattle and sheep in the lower North Island, in order to investigate the possible role of ruminants as a reservoir for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) in New Zealand. METHODS: A total of 952 strains of E. coli were isolated on selective media, from faecal swabs from 319 animals (187 cattle and 132 sheep) from four sites in the Manawatu and Rangitikei regions of New Zealand. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to genotype the E. coli isolates, using amplification of Shiga toxin genes (stx1 and stx2) and the E. coli attaching and effacing gene (eae). RESULTS: Isolates of E. coli were cultured from swabs from 178/187 (95.2%) cattle and all 132 (100%) sheep. Ninety-nine (10.4%) of the isolates were stx1 only, 83 (8.7%) stx2 only, 33 (3.5%) stx1 and stx2, 23 (2.4%) stx1 and eae, one (0.1%) stx2 and eae, and 115 (12.1%) were eae only. Overall, 51 (27.3%) cattle and 87 (65.9%) sheep were stx-positive, whereas 69 (36.9%) cattle and 36 (27.3%) sheep were eae-positive. CONCLUSIONS: Both healthy cattle and sheep are asymptomatic reservoirs of STEC in New Zealand. Direct contact with cattle and sheep or consumption of water or foodstuffs contaminated with cattle of sheep faeces may represent a significant source of infection for humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Serotypes and analysis of distribution of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli from cattle and sheep in the lower North Island, New Zealand.

AIMS: To serotype a subset of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates from cattle and sheep to determine whether any corresponding serotypes have been implicated in human diarrhoeal disease, both in New Zealand and worldwide, and to examine the distribution of STEC and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) amongst cattle (calves, heifers and dairy) and sheep (lambs, rams and ewes), to assess whether carriage of identified bacterial genotypes may be associated with a particular age of animal. METHODS: Recto-anal mucosal swabs (RAMS) were taken from 91 calves, 24 heifers and 72 dairy cattle, and 46 lambs, 50 ewes and 36 rams, from four sites in the Manawatu and Rangitikei regions of New Zealand. Strains of E. coli selected from primary isolation plates were subjected to a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to determine the presence of Shiga toxin genes (stx1 and stx2) and the E. coli attaching and effacing gene (eae). RESULTS: Overall, 186/319 (58.3%) animals sampled were positive for stx1, stx2, or eae isolates. More sheep (43.9%) were stx1-positive than cattle (2.7%; p = 0.036), and amongst sheep more lambs and ewes were stx1-positive than rams (p = 0.036). Amongst cattle, more calves and heifers were eae-positive than dairy cows (p = 0.030). Two or more different STEC were isolated from at least 28 (9%) animals (three cattle and 25 sheep), based on their stx/eae genotype. Enterohaemolysin genes were found in 39/51 (76%) isolates serotyped. Twenty-one different serotypes were detected, including O5:H-, O9:H51, O26:H11, O84:H-/H2 and O149:H8 from cattle, and O26:H11, O65:H-, O75:H8, O84:H-, O91:H-, O128:H2 and O174:H8 from sheep; O84:H-, O26:H11, O5:H-, O91:H- and O128:H2 serotypes have been associated with human disease. CONCLUSIONS: If nationally representative, this study confirms that cattle and sheep in New Zealand may be a major reservoir of STEC serotypes that have been recognised as causative agents of diarrhoeal disease in humans. Distribution of STEC and EPEC in cattle and sheep indicates that direct contact with, in particular, calves or their faeces, or exposure to environments cross contaminated with ruminant faeces, may represent an increased risk factor for human disease in New Zealand.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed1993

Experiments on the relationship between feeding of the tick Amblyomma variegatum (Acari: Ixodidae) and dermatophilosis skin disease in sheep.

Experiments on the systemic effect of feeding adult Amblyomma variegatum (F.) on dermatophilosis caused by Dermatophilus congolenis in six sheep were performed by feeding ticks at sites separate from sites of experimental infection with D. congolensis. Comparisons were made with D. congolensis infections on six control sheep without ticks. Tick-infested sheep developed chronic dermatophilosis lesions; tick-free sheep healed rapidly. On two tick-infested and two control sheep a chronological sequence of D. congolensis infection sites were made for histological comparisons. Dermatophilosis lesions on tick-infested sheep were characterized by chronic cellular infiltration and accumulation of plasma cells. Lesions on control sheep healed in association with transient cellular infiltration including plasma cells. In neither test nor control sheep was there evidence of effective phagocytosis of D. congolensis. It was concluded that feeding of these ticks had a systemic effect on the host such that dermatophilosis was aggravated via an effect on immunological reactions in the skin. Control of dermatophilosis by tick control is advocated.

Actinomycetales Infections↗
PubMed2004

Prion protein gene polymorphisms in healthy and scrapie-affected Spanish sheep.

The Rasa Aragonesa sheep is the second most important Spanish breed after the Merino breed. Reported here is the prion protein (PrP) haplotype frequency distribution for scrapie-related codons (136, 154 and 171) and a sequencing study of the complete PrP gene open reading frame for this breed and six other closely related breeds. The study includes four scrapie-affected sheep flocks belonging to Rasa Aragonesa and Rasa Navarra breeds. Thirty-eight scrapie-affected sheep, 502 healthy sheep from scrapie-affected flocks and 905 sheep from a breed survey were genotyped. The most frequent PrP haplotype in both scrapie and healthy flocks was ARQ, which was found at significantly higher frequency in scrapie-affected sheep. The susceptibility-associated VRQ haplotype was found at low frequencies in six out of eight breeds, but was not present in the 38 scrapie-affected sheep. The resistance-associated ARR haplotype was found in all breeds except one (Ojinegra) at frequencies >or=14 %. Fourteen amino acid polymorphisms were detected in these Spanish sheep, including the known amino acid substitutions at codons 112, 136, 141, 143, 154, 171 and 176, and new polymorphisms at codons 101 (Q-->R), 151 (R-->G), 151 (R-->H), 172 (Y-->D) and 175 (Q-->E). Most of the novel polymorphic codons show frequencies lower than 5 %.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Differential haematological effects of tick-borne fever in sheep and goats.

Tick-borne fever (TBF) is a rickettsial disease of domestic and wild ruminants in temperate climates. It is characterized by high fever and severe leukopenia. In the present study, the possible difference in the severity of disease in sheep and goats was investigated by inoculating one group of eight goats and one group of eight sheep with the Old Sourhope (OS) strain of Ehrlichia (Cytoecetes) phagocytophila. All sheep and goats experimentally infected with E. phagocytophila reacted with fever and rickettsiaemia, but there were significant differences between goats and sheep in the severity of clinical disease, the duration and magnitude of fever, the magnitude of rickettsiaemia and the patterns of reduction in the number of total leucocytes. Sheep reacted with fever significantly earlier than goats and the febrile period lasted for a significantly longer period. In contrast, the magnitude of rickettsiaemia was significantly higher in goats than in sheep. Infection with TBF was characterized by a transient increase in the number of neutrophils, which was quickly followed by an acute reduction in the number of lymphocytes and a prolonged reduction in the number of neutrophils in both sheep and goats. In both groups of animals, infection with TBF was also characterized by significant reductions in the total number of red blood cells (RBCs), thrombocytes and packed cell volume (PCV) and the concentration of haemoglobin (Hb). However, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular Hb (MCH) were significantly increased in sheep only.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

The effects of opioid and alpha 2 adrenergic blockade on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug analgesia in sheep.

The analgesic effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) flunixin and dipyrone were assessed in healthy sheep with no pre-existing inflammation, and in sheep with a chronic inflammatory lesion, using a mechanical noxious stimulus. Saline and dexamethasone were given as controls. Blood taken from healthy sheep after NSAID administration was assayed for thromboxane B2 (TxB2) to compare the ability of these drugs to inhibit cyclo-oxygenase. Both flunixin and dipyrone produced a small but statistically significant rise in pain thresholds (18% and 21% of maximum possible effect respectively) in the healthy sheep which peaked at 30 min and had returned to pre-drug values by 2-3 h. In the lame sheep a similar effect occurred but the response was smaller, much more variable and tended to be prolonged. Saline and dexamethasone had no effect on thresholds over 6 h in either group of sheep. The rise in thresholds was prevented by pre-treatment with naloxone (an opioid antagonist) or atipamezole (an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist) in the healthy sheep. Naloxone and atipamezole had no effect on thresholds when given alone to healthy sheep. Both NSAIDs inhibited the production of TxB2 to a similar extent. These results indicate that central mechanisms may be involved in NSAID analgesia.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1984

Colitis in sheep due to a Campylobacter-like bacterium.

Epidemic diarrhoea was observed in approximately 2,000 of 6,700 sheep on 9 farms. The disease, called weaner colitis, caused mortality of 1%, while morbidity varied from 20 to 75%. Colon contents from affected sheep were inoculated into 17 sheep, 13 of which developed diarrhoea 5 to 7 days after inoculation. Naturally and experimentally infected sheep had mild, erosive typhlitis and colitis. Microscopic examination of washed scrapings of colonic mucosa from all affected sheep revealed masses of curved bacteria that were not seen in controls. Electron microscopic examination showed similar bacteria adherent to colonic epithelium of an experimentally infected sheep. Curved, motile bacteria were isolated from 2 naturally occurring cases. One isolate was inoculated into 9 sheep, 2 of which developed diarrhoea. The other isolate was given to 4 sheep without observable effect. The curved bacteria grew only on media containing blood, in an atmosphere of approximately 10% air, 10% CO2 and 80% H2. They were Gram-negative, with a polar flagellum at one or both ends, they did not ferment glucose or give a positive catalase reaction. It is suggested that these bacteria are a new Campylobacter species and that they play a major role in the aetiology of weaner colitis.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Anthelmintic resistance and sheep management practices in south western Victoria.

Twenty-eight farms in 7 shires in south western Victoria were selected and tested for presence of benzimidazole-resistant nematodes between November 1979 and June 1981. Mean faecal egg counts of sheep were less than 100 strongyloid eggs/g on 11 farms. Faecal egg count reduction tests were conducted on the remaining 17 farms and thiabendazole was less than 90% efficient in reducing egg counts in sheep from 5 (29%) of these farms. Thiabendazole-resistant Teladorsagia circumcincta were identified at necropsy of experimentally infected treated sheep. In further studies a survey of 104 farms was conducted in the Mount Rouse and Dundas shires of western Victoria in 1981 and 1982 respectively to determine the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in these shires. Mean faecal egg counts among weaner sheep in the winter-spring of both years were less than 100 eggs/g which indicated low levels of parasitic nematode populations. A faecal egg count reduction test was conducted on 10 farms and thiabendazole was less than 90% efficient on 3; levamisole was greater than 90% efficient in all 10 tests. Most of the surveyed farms carried Merino or Merino crossbred sheep at 10 to 15 dry sheep equivalents per ha and weaners were treated with anthelmintics 3 to 6 times per year. Management procedures based mainly on anthelmintic therapy were effective in controlling nematode populations in weaner sheep, although many producers alternated between different groups of anthelmintics within the same year contrary to current recommendations for long-term preservation of anthelmintic efficacy. It was concluded that anthelmintic resistance was not of practical importance to the majority of sheep producers in the region.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1990

Enteritis in sheep and goats due to Yersinia enterocolitica infection.

Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 5, serotype 02,3 was isolated from the intestine of 38 sheep and 8 goats submitted to the laboratory for disease diagnosis. Infected animals were usually young, had diarrhoea and were in poor condition or emaciated. A number were moribund or dead when submitted. Characteristic microabscesses were demonstrated in the intestine of 5 of 38 sheep and 3 of 8 goats and no alternative cause of morbidity or mortality was established in these animals. Of the 33 sheep and 5 goats infected with Y. enterocolitica in which microabscesses were not demonstrated, a number of other diagnoses were made, including internal parasitism (18), selenium deficiency or white muscle disease (6) and cobalt deficiency (2), so that morbidity and mortality were possibly unrelated to Y. enterocolitica infection. Five of 6 sheep exposed experimentally by mouth to Y. enterocolitica biotype 5, serotype 02,3 developed an intestinal infection. Although infected sheep showed no clinical evidence of disease and haematological and biochemical indices remained normal, multiple intestinal microabscesses typical of yersiniosis were demonstrated in 3 of 5 infected sheep. It is concluded that Y. enterocolitica biotype 5, serotype 02,3 is an enteropathogen of sheep and goats. Since sheep and goats may be the specific hosts of this bacterium, its virulence for these species is apparently low. Morbidity and mortality may, therefore, be unusual manifestations of infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The prevalence of itchmite, Psorergates ovis, among sheep flocks with a history of fleece derangement.

An investigation of sheep flocks in the main sheep raising areas of New South Wales showed that the itchmite Psorergates ovis was frequently associated with fleece derangement. In 26 of the 41 flocks examined, P. ovis was the only ectoparasite detected. P. ovis and the sheep body louse Damalinia ovis, were found in 5 flocks. No external parasites were found on sheep examined from the 10 remaining flocks. The type of fleece derangement most frequently recorded was rubbing which in some cases was combined with areas of chewed fleece. Among flocks, there were positive relations between the prevalence of fleece derangement and prevalence of itchmite or scurf and between itchmite count and mean scurf score. Within flocks, itchmite infested sheep or sheep with scurf had higher prevalences of fleece derangement than sheep on which no mites or no scurf were found. Itchmite infested sheep had a higher prevalence of scurf than those with no detectable mite infestation. There were no significant differences in itchmite populations or fleece derangement between untreated flocks and flocks treated with synthetic pyrethroids, organophosphates or arsenic and rotenone.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of ear tags impregnated with cypermethrin for the control of sheep body lice (Damalinia ovis).

The application of polymer matrix ear tags impregnated with 8.5% w/w cypermethrin to 6 wethers following shearing reduced lice to non-detectable levels on 4 of them at 29 weeks after tagging. At the conclusion of the study at 45 weeks the mean count of lice on tagged wethers was 3 per sheep compared to 158 on untreated wethers. In a second experiment, 6 non-infected sheep were treated at shearing with cypermethrin tags, 6 with 25 g/l cypermethrin backline formulation, 6 with tags plus backline and 6 were left untreated. Each group was exposed to 6 sheep with moderate to heavy infestations of lice. Compared to controls, all treatments delayed infestation, but cypermethrin tags gave no longer protection than backline treatment. All sheep were infested by 17 weeks after commencement of the study. At 45 weeks mean counts of lice were 38, 27, 20 and 74 respectively for sheep treated with tags, backline formulation, backline plus tags and untreated. Possible reasons for the better effect observed from applying tags to infested sheep than to sheep which were not infected at application but which were subsequently exposed to infested sheep are discussed.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1993

Prevalence of the causes of fleece derangement among sheep flocks in New South Wales.

An investigation of sheep flocks with unknown histories of fleece derangement, selected at random from the main sheep raising areas of New South Wales, showed that Psorergates ovis was present in 53 of the 177 flocks surveyed and in 162 of the 3495 sheep examined. Of the single causes of fleece derangement, the most prevalent was grass seed contamination (15.7%) followed by infestation with sheep body lice, Bovicola ovis, (14.7%) and infestation with itch mite (7.8%). The prevalence of fleece derangement was significantly higher on sheep in which lice were the only ectoparasites found than on those in which itch mites were the only ectoparasites present. The greatest prevalence of P ovis was in flocks in the Young, Yass, Mudgee and Tenterfield districts. In most affected flocks, more than one potential cause of fleece derangement was present. Itch mite infestation was more prevalent in flocks that received no treatment for ectoparasites than in those that had been treated in the year preceding the survey. Our results did not support a commonly held belief among farmers that arsenical compounds control infestations of itch mites more effectively than other types of pesticides. There was no significant difference in prevalence of fleece derangement between flocks treated with different pesticide groups and those that received no treatment, but mean fleece derangement score was significantly lower in sheep treated with organophosphates than in untreated sheep. Infestations of lice were significantly more prevalent in sheep from flocks treated with synthetic pyrethroids than from those treated with organophosphates or those that received no treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Efficacy of ivermectin controlled-release capsules for the control and prevention of nasal bot infestations in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of an ivermectin controlled-release capsule against nasal bots (Oestrus ovis) in sheep. DESIGN: Trial 1--A pen study with controls. Trial 2--A field study with controls. ANIMALS: Trial 1--Forty Merino wethers with natural infestations of nasal bot were used. Trial 2--One hundred nasal bot-free wethers were used. PROCEDURE: Trial 1--Ten randomly selected animals were slaughtered and the heads split and examined to confirm bot infestation. Fifteen animals were allocated to untreated controls and 15 to treatment with a controlled-release capsule delivering ivermectin at > or = 20 micrograms/kg/day for 100 days. Twenty-nine days after treatment the sheep were killed and examined for nasal bots. Trial 2--Nasal bot-free sheep were allocated to two groups of 45 animals. One group was untreated the other sheep were treated with capsules as above. The sheep were grazed as a single group exposed to natural challenge from O ovis. Ninety days after treatment the animals were slaughtered and examined for nasal bot infestation. RESULTS: Trial 1--Live O ovis larvae were recovered from 60% of control sheep. No live larvae were collected from treated sheep. Trial 2--Forty-one percent of untreated sheep harbored nasal bot infestations. No live larvae were collected from any treated animal. CONCLUSION: Treatment with a single ivermectin controlled release capsule was 100% effective against existing infestations of O ovis and as a prophylactic treatment for this parasite.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Transmission of virulent footrot between sheep and goats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the infectivity of ovine and caprine strains of Dichelobacter nodosus for both sheep and goats. DESIGN: Pen experiments in which 20 sheep and 19 goats were challenged directly with the two strains, and transmission experiments on pasture, using donors infected by experimental challenge. RESULTS: Sheep and goat strains of D nodosus infected both animal species in experimental challenges. Animals so infected transmitted footrot to both sheep and goats on pasture plots. A significantly smaller proportion of goats than sheep was infected when challenged with either strain. The interval between exposure and development of footrot in goats was longer than in sheep when recipient animals were exposed to infected donors on pasture. The disease was less invasive in goats than in sheep. CONCLUSIONS: With the strains of D nodosus used there was no evidence of host specificity. Direct transmission of footrot can occur between sheep and goats in the same environment. There is a need to include goats in ovine footrot eradication programs and vice versa.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The relationship between the rate of intake of trichostrongylid larvae and the occurrence of diarrhoea and breech soiling in adult merino sheep.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A hypersensitive inflammatory response, associated with the ingestion of trichostrongylid larvae, is a major cause of diarrhoea and soiling of the breech with faeces in adult Merino sheep ('hypersensitivity scours'). This response is characterised by an infiltration of eosinophils and altered lymphocyte populations in the gut of affected sheep. The objective of this study was to investigate the numbers of Ostertagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus vitrinus infective larvae that were needed to induce diarrhoea in adult Merino sheep grazing improved pastures. METHOD: Sheep from three farms were categorised as either being susceptible, or not susceptible, to hypersensitivity scours, then transported to an experimental farm and grazed on pastures with low numbers of trichostrongylid infective larvae. They were ranked by farm of origin and previous worm egg count, then systematically allocated to one of five dose-rate groups and infected with 0, 2, 4, 10 or 20 x 10(3) trichostrongylid infective larvae per week for 13 weeks. RESULTS: In sheep selected as being susceptible to hypersensitivity scours, the lowest dose rate of infective larvae (2000 per week) was as effective in inducing diarrhoea as the highest dose rate (20,000 per week). In contrast, even the highest larval dose did not induce diarrhoea in sheep selected as not susceptible to hypersensitivity scours. Sheep selected with an increased susceptibility to hypersensitivity scours also had a significantly higher amount of moisture in their faeces at all times except during summer. CONCLUSIONS: The apparent lack of a threshold dose of trichostrongylid infective larvae needed to induce hypersensitivity scours suggests that even improved worm control programs, which substantially decrease the ingestion of larvae, may not be able to reduce the prevalence of hypersensitivity scours or the severity of breech soiling. Controlled-release anthelmintic capsules will control breech soiling but are often not a cost-effective strategy. Thus, genetic selection of less susceptible sheep is probably the best long-term option for the control of hypersensitivity scours, and the assessment of faecal moisture may be a convenient marker of susceptibility to this syndrome.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Identification of Anaplasma phagocytophila (formerly Ehrlichia phagocytophila) variants in blood from sheep in Norway.

A total of 41 blood samples were collected from 40 Anaplasma phagocytophila-infected sheep in 11 sheep flocks from four different counties of southern Norway. The presence and nature of the Anaplasma species were identified by microscopic detection of morulae, PCR, reverse line blot hybridization, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A. phagocytophila was identified in all of the samples, and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the presence of four variants of A. phagocytophila. Two of these variants have been described before, but two were newly identified 16S rRNA variants of this species. A. phagocytophila variant 1 was found in nine flocks, A. phagocytophila variant 2 was found in four flocks, the A. phagocytophila prototype was found in two flocks, and A. phagocytophila variant 5 was found in one flock. In two flocks, some sheep were infected with A. phagocytophila variant 1, whereas others were infected with A. phagocytophila variant 2, and in three animals a double infection with two variants was registered. Analyses of the blood samples revealed that blood from sheep infected with A. phagocytophila variant 2 contained nearly twice as many neutrophils and eight times as many Anaplasma-infected neutrophils as blood from sheep infected with the A. phagocytophila variant 1. Furthermore, only 43% of the A. phagocytophila variant 2-infected sheep displayed antibody responses in an immune fluorescence assay, whereas 93% of the sheep with the A. phagocytophila variant 1-infected sheep were seropositive.

Anaplasma↗
PubMed1995

A field study of the effect of lameness on mechanical nociceptive thresholds in sheep.

Threshold responses to a mechanical pressure test were measured in two groups of adult female sheep taken from 27 flocks in north Devon. The first group consisted of 470 healthy sheep and the second of 139 sheep suffering from obvious lameness, clinically diagnosed as foot rot. The lame sheep were assessed for the severity of the lesion and the level of lameness and assigned a score. In flocks with sheep with a severe degree of lameness, the sheep had a significantly lower threshold to a mechanical nociceptive stimulus than their matched sound controls and their thresholds remained low when tested three months later, after the apparent resolution of the foot rot lesion. In flocks where the lame sheep were less severely affected there was no difference in the threshold responses to a mechanical stimulus between the sound and lame sheep.

Analgesia↗