Infection with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae in sheep can manifest with a range of clinical signs, varying in severity depending on factors like age, immune status, and co-infections.
Common clinical signs include:
- Coughing: Often persistent and dry, sometimes productive.
- Nasal discharge: Can be clear, white, or yellowish.
- Difficulty breathing (dyspnea): Especially noticeable during exertion.
- Fever: May be present, but not always.
- Loss of appetite and weight loss: Due to the energy expenditure associated with fighting the infection.
- Lethargy and weakness: General signs of illness.
Variations in clinical presentation:
- Lambs: More susceptible to severe pneumonia, often showing rapid breathing, coughing, and nasal discharge. Mortality rates can be high in young lambs.
- Adult sheep: May exhibit milder respiratory signs, but chronic infection can lead to reduced productivity and increased susceptibility to other respiratory diseases.
Diagnosis:
Confirmation of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infection requires laboratory testing, such as PCR or culture of nasal swabs or lung tissue.
Treatment:
Antibiotics are typically used to treat Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infections. However, treatment can be challenging due to the bacterium's resistance to certain antibiotics.