Sheep, Goat and Cattle Health Management in Kenya

Vaccination schedules, deworming protocols and common disease management for sheep, goats and cattle in open field grazing systems in Kenya.

Introduction

Livestock in open grazing systems face higher disease exposure than those in confined systems. Regular vaccination and deworming is critical for profitability.

Cattle Vaccination Schedule (Ranch)

Disease	Vaccine	Frequency
Foot & Mouth (FMD)	FMD Vaccine	Every 6 months
Lumpy Skin Disease	LSD Vaccine	Annually
East Coast Fever	Muguga Cocktail	Once (lifelong)
Black Quarter	BQ Vaccine	Annually
Anthrax	Anthrax Spore	Annually (endemic areas)
Brucellosis	S19 (heifers only)	Once at 4-8 months

Sheep & Goat Vaccination Schedule

Disease	Vaccine	Age	Frequency
Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)	PPR Vaccine	3 months+	Every 3 years
Foot & Mouth (FMD)	FMD Vaccine	4 months+	Every 6 months
Sheep/Goat Pox	Pox Vaccine	3 months+	Annually
Enterotoxaemia (CDT)	CD-T Vaccine	Lambs/kids: few days old	Every 6 months
Brucellosis (goats)	Rev-1 Vaccine	3-6 months (does)	Once
Anthrax	Anthrax Spore	6 months+	Annually in endemic areas

PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants) - Sheep & Goat Plague

PPR is the most devastating disease of small ruminants in Kenya.

Symptoms:

High fever, nasal discharge
Mouth ulcers, diarrhea
Respiratory distress
Mortality: up to 90% in naive animals

Prevention:

PPR vaccine provides 3 years immunity
Kenya government vaccination campaigns - participate
Isolate new animals for 30 days

Tick Control - Critical for All Ranch Animals

Ticks transmit ECF, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, and Theileriosis.

Control methods:

Dipping or spraying with acaricide Frequency: Weekly (wet season), fortnightly (dry season)
Common acaricides: Amitraz, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin
Rotate acaricides to prevent resistance
Hand-pick ticks from ears, groin, udder

Deworming Schedule (Ranch)

Cattle:

Calves: Monthly for first 6 months
Growing cattle: Every 3 months
Adults: Every 6 months (especially pre-calving cows)

Sheep & Goats:

Lambs/kids: Monthly for first 4 months
Adults: Every 3 months
Pre-lambing/kidding: 4 weeks before birth
FAMACHA method: Check eye color - pale = deworm

Products:

Ivermectin - Treats roundworms + external parasites
Albendazole - Broad spectrum, treats tapeworms too
Levamisole - Good for lungworms
Rotate products annually to prevent resistance

Common Grazing Diseases

Anaplasmosis (Tick-borne)

Signs: Fever, anemia, yellow mucous membranes
Treatment: Oxytetracycline injection (consult vet)

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)

Signs: Nodular skin lesions over entire body
Prevention: Vaccination annually
Treatment: Supportive care, antibiotics for secondary infections

Pasteurellosis (Pneumonia)

Signs: Fever, nasal discharge, rapid breathing
Treatment: Oxytetracycline, Penicillin-Streptomycin
Prevention: Avoid stress, overcrowding, sudden weather changes

Pasture Management for Health

Avoid overgrazing - increases parasite exposure
Rotational grazing reduces worm burden
Rest pasture for 6-8 weeks between grazings
Provide mineral licks (salt + trace minerals)
Ensure clean water sources - avoid stagnant water