Ovine Medicine and Surgery

Sheep and goats with their multi-facet utility for wool, meat, milk, skins and manure, form an important component of rural economy particularly in the arid, semi-arid and mountainous areas of the country. It provides a dependable source of income to the shepherds through sale of wool and animals. The most important product we get from sheep is meat. Meat is an important ingredient in our diet, and lamb and mutton supply us with many of the vital vitamins and proteins we need for healthy living. Health-related challenges in the goat and sheep industry include lack of understanding the one-health, zoonotic diseases, parasites and resistance to parasites, selection for disease-resistant animals, predators, and the potential threat of bioterrorism. Adverse effects of these impact both the animal and human health. The main welfare issues affecting sheep and goats are the result of mutilations, lameness, transport, and illness caused by disease. The health problems of sheep are largely treatable or avoidable with good grazing, breeding, and husbandry. Any intervention that improves the productivity of sheep and goats is important in creating wealth and improving the standard of living of resource-poor farmers. The short generation interval of sheep and goats coupled with high frequency of multiple births allow for rapid increases in animal numbers. Sheep manure contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients; all of which plants and forages require for proper nutrition and growth. When manure is applied to the soil, there is an increase of soil carbon, reduction of atmospheric carbon levels, reduction in soil erosion and runoff, reduction in nitrate leaching, and a reduction in energy demands for natural gas-intensive nitrogen fertilizers. Surgery may only be carried out when the condition of the patient permits it. The correct decision may be difficult, for example in right-sided abomasal disease, severe dystocia and digital surgery. Economic considerations and farm facilities must also be evaluated in each potential case. Veterinarians require a sound knowledge of the principles of surgery in relation to animal diseases and health. This book written specifically for vets with basic principles explained through practical examples. The book highlights the importance of veterinary surgery in sheep and goats herds and farms. This edition provides some guidelines on setting up a practice clinical examination for veterinarians predominantly in sheep and goats practice. It provides an overview for the practitioner, with some practical information about the practice laboratory that is hard to find in standard texts. The book comprises two sections: the first is Internal Medicine and the second is surgery.