The economics of a sheep farm depends on lambing percentage and later on the
survival of these lambs that can produce an adult stock for future. It is imperative to
curb lamb mortality by various diseases .The mortality of lambs may be expected as
their immune system is not well developed as in adults. Various of disease reported
causing lamb mortality are diseases of fetus during intrauterine life e.g. prolonged
gestation, intra uterine infections, abortion, fetal death with resorption or
mummification. Diseases associated with dystocia, causing cerebral anoxia or fetal
hypoxemia and their consequence and predisposition to other diseases. Early postnatal
diseases like hypoglycemia and hypothermia due to poor mothering and exposure to
cold, low vigor in neonates due to malnutrition, delayed postnatal disease like
colibacillosis, joint ill, lamb dysentery, septicaemic disease, most of viral enteric
infections Non infectious diseases like ) hypothermia, hypoglycemia / starvation,
congenital diseases of newborns, chromosomal abnormalities and inheritance viral
infections, nutritional deficiency, iodine/vitamin –deficiency. Foot Rot is a problem
often overlooked by shepherds and sometimes taken too lightly as a cause of monetary
loss and loss of thriftiness in sheep. Once loosed in a flock, foot rot can become a
persistent reoccurring nightmare. The shepherd should take notice and act aggressively
at the first sign that foot rot may be present in a flock. Foot rot is often in the soil on
fair grounds and auction barns and all newly purchased sheep. Meanwhile, sheep back
home from fairs or shows should be penned separately and inspected for foot rot. Keep
the feet of your sheep trimmed so there are no pockets for the bacteria to thrive. There
are numbers of copper and zinc based products on the market to treat against foot rot
and scald as well as a vaccine that is fairly effective.