A Retrospective Discussion of Three Infectious Agents as Possible Causes of Sudden Deaths in a Flock of Small Ruminants

Abstract

In a flock of 332 sheep and goats, 120 (90 adults and 30 youngsters) died within 45 days The clinical and post-mortem examinations were indicative of a contagious disease, thus prompted the isolation of the flock by the State Veterinary Services and the in-depth laboratory investigation of the possible causes of death Tissue and blood sample examination confirmed suspicion of Clostridium perfringens involvement but also involvement of malignant catarrhal fever virus of cattle and respiratory cyncytial virus Samples examined were negative for Leptospira sp peste des petits ruminants virus and blue tongue virus