(a) State five methods of preventing diseases in farm animals.
(b) Mention five factors which could predispose livestock to diseases.
(c)(i) Give three effects of ticks on farm animals. (ii) State three ways of controlling ticks on farm animals.
(d) List four symptoms of coccidiosis in poultry.
Explanation
(a) Methods of Preventing Diseases in farm Animals: - New stock/animals to the farm should be quarantined before being allowed into the farm. -Animals should be vaccinated at the right time. -Good hygiene/high sanitary measures should be practiced in livestock farms/change of bedding materials. -Animals must be properly fed with balanced diet to resist any disease attack, -Disease-resistant stocks should be bred in the farm. -All sick animals should be isolated from healthy ones and treated/culled. -Rotational grazing methods should be practiced to avoid build up of parasites. -Deworm regularly. -Spray/dip against ectoparasites. -Allow access to exercise. -Adopt biosecurity measures. -Adopt appropriate stocking density/avoid over population. -Timely and regular feeding of animals. -Provide clean water at all times. -Ensure adequate ventilation/good housing. -Provide bedding materials under cold conditions.
(b) Factors which could Pre-dispose Livestock to Diseases: - Poor health status of animals can lead to disease. -Malnutrition of farm animals. -Improper disposal of carcass/wastes. -Poor or improper sanitation, including dirty environmert/poor hygiene. -Overcrowding/overpopulation/ many animals. -Poor breeds of animals7inbreeding depression/poor resistance. -Poor housing -Improper use of drugs. -Improper use of equipment. -Harsh weather conditions/unfavourable climatic condition. -Injury/wounds. Roaming of animals. -Prevalence of insects pests. -Poor quality water -Poor quality feed. -Low immunity. -Absence of enough space. -Poor management.
(c)(i) Effects of ticks on farm animals: - Act as vectors of diseases, e.g. tick fever, heart water diseases. -Cause great discomfort/ irritation to their hosts. -Injuries from their bites may become ulcerated wounds. -Injuries caused may become sources of secondary infections. -Damage of skin by tick on host reduces the quality of skin or hides/market value. -Sucks blood of the host leading to anaemia/loss of blood. -Loss of appetite. -Loss of weight. -Death may occur. -Coma. (ii) Ways of controlling ticks on farm animals: -Animals should be kept in clean surroundings/clear surroundings. -Animals should be dipped in appropriate acaricides solution/pour on/injectable/dusting. -Rotational grazing should be practiced. -New stocks are to be isolated to ensure that they are free from infection. -Animal bedding should be changed regularly. -Ticks should he hand-picked from the body of the host animal/delousing. -Keep away stray animals. -Heat treatment of pens. -Use footbath regularly. -Burn infested pasture.
(d) Symptoms of coccidiosis in poultry: BIood stained diarrh oea. -Dropping wings. -Loss of appetite. -Huddling (crowding together of birds). Dullness and unthriftness, -Emaciation/loss of weight. -Anaemia. -Rough feathers. -Constipation or nouring. -Death. -Drop in egg production/poor productivity. -Laying of small eggs. -Laying of shelless Soaoma. -Loss of yellow colour in shank. -Pale comb and wattles. -Dehydration.