Page 104 - Agriculture Form Two

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

(b) Poor hygiene: Poor sanitation encourages the growth of microorganisms,
which may infect the animals.

(c) Parasite infestation: Internal or external parasites cause different effects
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
on their host. Some of the effects caused by internal parasites, mainly
gastrointestinal worms, compete with the host for food, reducing the host’s
appetite and causing ulceration and dehydration due to diarrhoea. These
effects lead to poor health of the affected animal.

(d) Microorganisms/pathogens: Pathogens of importance are bacteria, viruses,
protozoa, fungi, mycoplasma, and rickettsia. Some modes of transmission
or spread to infect healthy animals are contaminated water, feeds, pasture,
air droplets, and bedding materials. Others include vectors and contact with
the infected animal. When the pathogens come into contact with or enter
the healthy animal’s body, they cause different effects, including anaemia,
haemorrhages, skin conditions, irritation, emaciation, loss of weight, and
reduced production.

(e) Injuries due to poor handling: Injuries are physical or traumatic conditions
to the body tissues or organs caused by different sources. Slippery floors,
cruel treatment by attendants, animal fighting, poorly constructed crushes,
and accidents are sources of injury that may cause fractures, wounds, and
other ill conditions to the animal.

Livestock disease management

In livestock disease management, two approaches are applied: curative and
preventive. Curative methods include using drugs and chemicals to treat the
disease. In contrast, preventive methods focus on measures that prevent the
animal from coming into contact with the disease-causing agents or their vectors
or immunise the animal.

(a) Preventive measures: Preventive measures used in managing livestock
health include vaccination/immunisation, control of vectors, use of
prophylactics, quarantine/isolation, sanitation, and proper nutrition.
(b) Curative measures: These include:

96 Student’s Book Form Two

04/10/2024 18:07
Agriculture form 2.indd 96 04/10/2024 18:07
Agriculture form 2.indd 96