Pneumonia in sheep: what to know

Possible signs include cough, nasal discharge, fever, rapid breathing, reluctance to move, reduced appetite and slow growth. Lambs may become weak or stop suckling. Pneumonia can follow viral illness or bacterial infection, and stress from transport, weather changes, crowding, poor ventilation, dust or parasites may increase vulnerability. A veterinarian may examine several sheep, assess lung sounds and temperature, and recommend samples to identify the cause and guide flock control.

Call the flock veterinarian early, isolate visibly ill sheep where practical, and provide dry bedding, shelter and clean water. Keep handling gentle because exertion can worsen breathing. Review ventilation, stocking density, dust and recent transport or mixing. Monitor appetite, breathing, temperature where advised, and the number of new cases. Do not choose antibiotics from a previous episode: the medicine, dose, withdrawal period and need to treat companions require veterinary direction.

Seek urgent help for severe breathing effort, an animal unable to stand, a lamb unable to suckle, collapse, sudden deaths or several new cases in a short time. A rapidly spreading outbreak can cause major flock losses and may involve a serious infection such as sepsis. Follow the veterinarian’s advice about movement restrictions, testing and local animal-health notifications.

Ask which sheep should be examined, whether the flock needs testing or vaccination review, and how long isolation should continue. Discuss parasite control, ventilation, bedding, recent purchases, transport, feeding changes and any treatments already given.