Sheep lameness: causes, types and options for treatment

This article gives an overview of the main causes of lameness in sheep by focusing on the three most common diseases present in the UK – all of which are infectious in nature: interdigital dermatitis, foot rot and contagious ovine digital dermatitis. The most recent and relevant findings regarding the aetiological agents are discussed. Also, a fresh look at the options available for diagnosis and control – specifically the role of the vet – in dealing with lameness at a flock level, is presented. Finally, a summary of the choices available for treatment is provided

What's new (and not so new) about sheep scab

Sheep scab represents a significant burden for the national sheep industry and a serious welfare issue for diseased animals. Although different treatment options are available and despite tackling of this disease being a top priority for the industry, sheep scab is currently widely spread within the UK and its control still represent a significant challenge for all the parties involved. This article provides an overview of sheep scab, focusing on the established knowledge available for both clinical and subclinical disease. Recent advancement in the diagnosis of the disease are also presented, with an emphasis on the added value and practical use of a blood test for diagnosis of the subclinical disease and for its use in monitoring flock exposure to the parasite. Currently available and future options for treatment and disease control are discussed, especially in the light of the challenge posed by the development of drug resistance

Pre-lambing prep – getting you and your clients ready

Valentina Busin discusses how both vets and sheep farmers can prioritise to help ensure a well-planned lambing experience

Latest in sheep scab control

No abstract available

What's new (and not so new) about sheep scab

Sheep scab represents a significant burden for the national sheep industry and a serious welfare issue for diseased animals. Although different treatment options are available and despite tackling of this disease being a top priority for the industry, sheep scab is currently widely spread within the UK and its control still represent a significant challenge for all the parties involved. This article provides an overview of sheep scab, focusing on the established knowledge available for both clinical and subclinical disease. Recent advancement in the diagnosis of the disease are also presented, with an emphasis on the added value and practical use of a blood test for diagnosis of the subclinical disease and for its use in monitoring flock exposure to the parasite. Currently available and future options for treatment and disease control are discussed, especially in the light of the challenge posed by the development of drug resistance

The development of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices for point-of-care diagnosis of sheep scab

The recent growing interest and development of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) for point-of-care (POC) testing in human health in low-resource settings has great potential for the exploitation of these technologies in animal disease diagnosis. Sheep scab is a highly infectious, widespread and notifiable disease of sheep, which poses major economic and welfare concerns for the UK farming industry. The possibility of diagnosing sheep scab at the POC is, consequently, very important to controlling this disease. The overall aim of this project was, therefore, to develop μPADs based on a novel method of fabrication, in order to translate the existing lab-based sheep scab ELISA (Pso o 2) and a biomarker test for haptoglobin (Hp) into paper-based ELISA (P-ELISA), to enable POC diagnosis of this animal disease. In Chapter 3, the novel fabrication method is described, in Chapters 4 and 5, the translation of the lab-based ELISAs (Hp and Pso o 2 respectively) are explained and in Chapter 6 the development of a μPAD for incorporation of the POC tests into a multiplexed, rapid assay is covered. Experiments showed that both ELISAs were successfully transferred onto paper and that the devices developed were suitable for POC testing. This study has resulted in a novel fabrication method for μPADs, in successfully translated existing ELISAs to P-ELISA and in novel solutions for the POC diagnosis of an important veterinary disease

Latest in sheep scab control

No abstract available

Sheep lameness: causes, types and options for treatment

This article gives an overview of the main causes of lameness in sheep by focusing on the three most common diseases present in the UK – all of which are infectious in nature: interdigital dermatitis, foot rot and contagious ovine digital dermatitis. The most recent and relevant findings regarding the aetiological agents are discussed. Also, a fresh look at the options available for diagnosis and control – specifically the role of the vet – in dealing with lameness at a flock level, is presented. Finally, a summary of the choices available for treatment is provided

Treatment of sheep scab in the UK: preventing the spread of resistant mites

No abstract available

The development of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices for point-of-care diagnosis of sheep scab

The recent growing interest and development of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) for point-of-care (POC) testing in human health in low-resource settings has great potential for the exploitation of these technologies in animal disease diagnosis. Sheep scab is a highly infectious, widespread and notifiable disease of sheep, which poses major economic and welfare concerns for the UK farming industry. The possibility of diagnosing sheep scab at the POC is, consequently, very important to controlling this disease. The overall aim of this project was, therefore, to develop μPADs based on a novel method of fabrication, in order to translate the existing lab-based sheep scab ELISA (Pso o 2) and a biomarker test for haptoglobin (Hp) into paper-based ELISA (P-ELISA), to enable POC diagnosis of this animal disease. In Chapter 3, the novel fabrication method is described, in Chapters 4 and 5, the translation of the lab-based ELISAs (Hp and Pso o 2 respectively) are explained and in Chapter 6 the development of a μPAD for incorporation of the POC tests into a multiplexed, rapid assay is covered. Experiments showed that both ELISAs were successfully transferred onto paper and that the devices developed were suitable for POC testing. This study has resulted in a novel fabrication method for μPADs, in successfully translated existing ELISAs to P-ELISA and in novel solutions for the POC diagnosis of an important veterinary disease