Volume: 3, 2024
3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A006
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.A006
Published online: 24 April 2024
ICDSUPL, 3, A006 (2024)
Mannheimia haemolytica – a recurrent problem in lamb breeding – case report
Artur Ciszewski1, Łukasz Jarosz1*, Anna Śmiech2, Aneta Nowakiewicz3, Zbigniew Grądzki1
1 Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 30, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Pathomorphology and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 30, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
3 Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: lukasz.jarosz@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Respiratory tract infections caused by Mannheimia haemolytica (formerly Pasteurella haemolytica) are still a current health problem in sheep flocks. One of the main factors predisposing one to disease, apart from species predispositions and microorganisms that lower immunity, is stress related to the movement of animals and unfavorable environmental factors, such as high humidity and lack of effective ventilation in farrowing houses and lamb rearing rooms. In the presented case report, in a flock of sheep with 1,000 ewes, 40 rams and 800 lambs, clinical examination revealed non-specific disease symptoms in the form of apathy and reduced feed intake or milk sucking in several dozen lambs aged 4 to 12 weeks. The consequence of these symptoms was a short-term, 1–2 day increase in internal temperature to 41 degrees Celsius, accompanied by cough, leading to sudden death. The autopsy image revealed characteristic enlarged, airless lungs, focally hyperemic with the presence of cream-colored, nodular lesions of thick consistency, with purulent exudate on the cross-section. Microbiological examination in internal organs confirmed the presence of Mannheimia haemolytica. The microscopic image of the lungs revealed necrotic foci and inflammatory infiltrates composed of neutrophils and macrophages, indicating necrotic-purulent pneumonia. Similar histopathological changes were observed in the liver. The use of tulathromycin at a dose of 2.5 mg per 1 kg body weight, which was administered only to lambs in the initial stage of the disease, turned out to be an effective treatment. A quick reaction in the form of isolating lambs immediately after the first symptoms of the disease appeared and administering antibiotics and probiotics resulted in a reduction in the number of sick individuals and inhibition of deaths in the herd.
Keywords: Mannheimia haemolytica, lambs, respiratory infections
How to cite
A. Ciszewski, Ł. Jarosz, A. Śmiech, A. Nowakiewicz, Z. Grądzki, 2024. Mannheimia haemolytica – a recurrent problem in lamb breeding – case report. In: 3rd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL3.A006