Scrapie in Sheep and Goats
Scrapie is an incurable fatal disease for sheep and goats. It is a degenerative disease that affects the nervous system, and is related to “mad cow disease”.
Scrapie is characterized by the formation of holes in the brain cells and the accumulation of an abnormal protein. His results in he loss of nervous function.
First recognized as a disease in Great Britian about 250 years ago, the first case of Scrapie in the United States was diagnosed in 1947.
Scrapie has been diagnosed in over 1000 flocks in the US. Thw breeds most commonly affected are Suffolk, other black faced meat breeds, and crosses of these breeds.
Some of the earliest detectable signs of a scrapie infected animal are:
- behavioral changes
- apprehension or uneasyness during handling or feeding
- tremors of the head or neck
- isolation from the flock
- movements of the hind legs become uncoordinated
- weight loss
In the more advanced stages infected may exhibit:
- intense itching and scraping (origin of the name Scrapie)
- broken or pulled out wool
- high stepping or stumbling
- falling
- grinding of teeth
- shaking of he tail and rump
- death
While these are good to keep an eye out for, some sheep may die from Scrapie wihout ahowin any clinical signs (other than death of course).
Scrapie primarily transmitted through direct animal-to-animal contact. It is most commonly transmitted to a lamb by an infected ewe during the first six months of life through the placental material and birthing fluids.
Certain breeds of sheep are more resistant to Scrapie than others.Wensleydale sheep are one the most scrapie resistant breeds. Individual sheep have varying levels of resistance as well. Genetics has a lot to do with it. Sheep that are of the genotype RR at condon 171 are the most resistant.
The North American Wensleydale Sheep Association has strict guidelines that maintain the highest scrapie resistance possible in the Wensleydale sheep population in he United States. Only sheep sired by rams with RR at 171 are allowed to be registered as Wensleydale sheep. Aside from keeping an entirely closed flock, this type of genetic selection is one of the best ways we can work to erradicate Scrapie.
I really like the fresh perpective you did on the issue. Really was not expecting that when I started off studying. Your concepts were easy to understand that I wondered why I never looked at it before. Glad to know that there’s an individual out there that definitely understands what he’s discussing. Great job
This is a good blog, I was wondering if I could use this article on my website, I will link it back to your website though. If this is a problem please let me know and I will take it down right away.
This is a wonderful article, I found your blog site looking around bing for a similar subject and arrived to this. I couldnt discover to much alternative information and facts on this piece, so it was good to locate this one. I will probably end up being back to look at some other articles that you have another time.
This is very good article, I am very interested in its topic and read them was a pleasure.
It’s so refreshing to find articles like the ones you post on your site. Very informative reading. I will keep you bookmarked. Thanks! .