Respiratory diseases are one of the main causes of death and economic losses in sheep farming. The prevention and treatment of these diseases must be based on a correct diagnosis, which improves the results of health plans and optimizes the responsible use of medicines. Diagnostic imaging techniques are important working tools to diagnose this kind of disorders but have not always been sufficiently used in sheep. X-ray, although widely used in small animals, is not a valuable tool in field conditions. Ultrasonography is a noninvasive technique easily applied in sheep farms and very useful for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases; however, many articles have been already published on this topic. The present paper proposes and illustrates the use of thermography and computed tomography (CT) to support and improve the aforementioned techniques, taking into consideration that thermography is only useful for upper respiratory tract disorders and CT scan is an expensive technique for routine use but very illustrative to understand the pathogenesis of the different disorders and to improve the in vivo diagnosis.
Part of the book: Sheep Farming
Salmonella genus is widely distributed in nature and causes a spectrum of diseases in man and animals. Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae serotype 61: k: 1,5, (7) (SED) is a host adapted to sheep and its presence as saprophytic bacteria in sheep has been described in different countries. Several studies performed in abattoirs reported the presence of SED in healthy sheep in the intestinal content and also in the respiratory tract. In addition, this microorganism has also been isolated from nostril and faecal samples in healthy live animals. For this reason, this microorganism is considered well adapted to sheep, behaving normally these animals as asymptomatic carriers. However, SED has also been reported causing health disorders such as chronic proliferative rhinitis in adult sheep, abortions, testicular lesions in rams or alimentary tract disorders in young animals. The zoonotic potential of this microorganism is also discussed.
Part of the book: Salmonella spp