The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-08-20
Bighead in Sheep

seems that the tissues lose their proper
elasticity and their muscular movements
are not normal, thus not allowing the
fluid from the head to continue on its
journey toward the body.
Symptoms.
The first noticeable symptom is that
the animal begins to throw its head up
and sidewise in a jerking motion. 1t
seems to be greatly irritated, as it
shakes the head and tries to rub it. The
animal walks aimlessly through the
flock, often stamping its feet on the
ground, very seldom standing stin for
any length of time. The eyesight seems
to be affected, as the animal follows
direct line, sometimes running into
other sheep and objects in its path. One
is naturally led to believe that there
must be brain symptoms or inflamma-
tion developing, rs the animal often be-
haves as in regular mania. In this con-
dition some of the sheep wander away
from the flock and are lost, either dy-
ing as a result of exhaustion and star
vation or becoming prey to coyotes.
If the animal is closely watched after
the jerking of the head begins, one can
see the ears turning red in color and
enlarging. Nearly at the same time the
cheeks show the same congested appear
ance, and these parts continue enlarg-
ing to enormous proportions, the ears
dropping as result Of their weight.
After these swellings are about COM
plete, small drops of serum of light
yellow color begin to exude from them.
The entire face becomes swollen to ouch
a degree as to close the eyes, and in
some cases the internal pressure of the
serum is 50 great as to force the eye
balls out of their sockets. Fever is al
ways present and shows itself early, the
temperature ranging from 104 degrees to
107 degrees F. In the severe forms this
occurs in about from 80 minutes to one
hour s time. The vision being obstruct-
ed the animal can not see the food it
should eat, and the lips, checks and
tongue being SO badly congested the
animal could not eat if it wanted to.
In many cases the tongue fills the mouth
completely. In some cases there is .
disturbance of the breathing, Que to
pressure on the trachea and inflamma-
tion of the air passages. This may be
due to some extent to excitement, and
when in this condition the sheep, If al
lowed to, will continue to chase around
until completely exhausted, and will
then lie down, usually never to rise.
Others that are only slightly affected
may make recovery. The skin often
peels off the swelled areas, many ami
mails losing the wool over the entire
body. Sheep once affected are never as
good as formerly, as they seem to be un-
thrifty. Many Of the ewes that carry
lambs lose them.
Lessons.
Sheep killed during the early stages
Of the disease show petechiae (purplish
spots) in the nostrils and all tissues of
the head, trachea, and lungs. The eye
balls, cheeks, the space between the
laws, and the ears are infiltrated with
a serous fluid which becomes gelatinous,
making the skin over these parts ap-
pear like a soft, thick cushion with
some serum exuding. This cushion may
become hardened, and later the skin
cracks and assures appear in the affect
ed parts, and a gelatinous exudate is
found under the mucous membranes in
the mouth and the tongue. Where sheep
die as a result Of this condition, this
gelatinous material is found in differ.
ent parts of the body under the mucous
and Serious membranes and in some OF
the muscles. There are often small
hemorrhagic spots along the intestinal
tract and around the kidneys. There is
congestion and thickening Of the walls
Of the lymphatics, with a swelling Of
the lymph glands. The circulation from
the head was in many instances nearly
shut off by the pressure Of the swoller
condition. The brain and spinal core
Of dead sheep contained an excessive
amount Of serum. The muscle tissue ap
pears normal in most parts Of the body
outside of the head.