A case report: Visceral smallpox in a sheep flock in Andhra Pradesh, India

2^nd International Conference on Animal & Dairy Sciences

September 15-17, 2014 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Supriya Botlagunta

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Veterinar Sci Technolo

Abstract :

Sheep pox was a contagious viral disease of small ruminants. This disease may be mild in indigenous breeds living in endemic areas, but are often fatal in newly introduced animals. Economic losses result from decreased milk production, damage to the quality of hides and wool, and other production losses. Sheep pox virus and Goat pox virus are closely related to the virus that causes lumpy skin disease in cattle. Many Sheep pox virus isolates are specific for sheep, and many Goat pox virus strains are specific for goats, but some strains of these viruses readily affect both species. Animal first presented to the clinic with dyspnea and febrile condition with no specific pock lesions on the skin except some erythema at the base of the tail and it died in 12 hrs after started showing the symptoms. The affected other animals showed clinical signs such as altering body temperature, lymphnode swelling, edema of the eyelids, nasal discharge, inappetence, arched back, lacrimation, coughing, salivation, pneumonia, hypersensitivity and scanty urine. In the present case reported morbidity rate was 23% and the mortality rate was 10%. The autopsy of the animals with visceral smallpox revealed extensive pock lesions along the length of trachea, on the heart and lungs. According to the history, abnormal clinical signs and diagnostic PCR report by animal disease diagnosis laboratory visceral sheeppox was diagnosed. Animals should be vaccinated regularly as this disease was acute. The Infected herds and sick animals should be isolated for at least 45 days after they have recovered from clinical signs.