Chlamydia Symptoms in Sheep

Chlamydia is a bacterial disease affecting sheep, goats, cattle and sometimes humans. The family of bacteria can cause various forms of infections in sheep. The most common symptoms associated with chlamydia is enzootic abortion, according to Purdue University. Sheep are often vaccinated for chlamydia at the beginning of the breeding season.

  1. Eye Problems

    • While chlamydia is most closely associated with abortions, the same bacteria causes pinkeye in sheep. Pinkeye, also called conjunctivitis, brings symptoms include swelling and redness around the eye with discharge. Pinkeye is highly contagious and is usually treated with topical antibiotics.

    Pneumonia

    • Symptoms of a pneumonia caused by chlamydia include fever, coughing and discharge from the eyes and nose. Pneumonia has a high rate of mortality if not promptly and properly treated. Antibiotics are the preferred course of treatment.

    Arthritis

    • Arthritis symptoms include stiffness and swollen joints along with lameness. Arthritis caused by chlamydia is often accompanied by pinkeye.

    Abortion

    • Abortions caused by the chlamydia bacteria usually occur late in the pregnancy. The disease can spread by contact with infected placenta, fetuses and vaginal discharges. In some cases, according to the North Dakota State University website, an abortion "storm" can occur in the flock, where a high percentage of the flock aborts at the same time.

    Births

    • Along with late-term abortions, stillbirths or weak lambs that do not survive the first hours of life are possible with chlamydia-infected sheep. Limit the spread of the disease by cleaning any aborted fetuses from the barn area and sterilize pens or stalls where the abortion may have occurred.