ANTHRITIS OF LAMBS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 September 1938, Page 3

ANTHRITIS OF LAMBS

INCIDENCE OF TROUBLE. CONSIDERABLE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. “Arthritis of lambs is of considerable economic importance,” stated Mr G. K. L. Knott, a veterinarian of the Livestock Division of the Department of Agriculture, in a statement to “The Press/’ Christchurch. “It results in partial condemnation of a large number of lamb carcases at the freezing works during the killing season, the condemned portion usually being the leg the stifle; hock and knee joints being the most commonly affected. Meat inspection records indicate that 0.138 per cent of lambs are affected. This means that during a killing season some 12,000 lambs 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 which are lame temporarily and recover. “Because of its importance and because infection usually gains entrance subsequent to marking it is considered opportune- to offer certain facts concerning it at this time of year. “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 recentlysevered naval 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, and 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.

“As a rule more cases occur in wether lambs than ewe lambs. This is due to the presence 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 their 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 uses 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 are clean, temporary yards, sterilisation of instruments by boiling before use, and clean methods of marking.”