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28. Animal health and diseases Health and welfare of agricultural animals are the responsibility of the farmers.​ In 1965 the Bramwell report was published. It concentrates on welfare of livestock. ​ ​From the Brambell report came the five freedoms. These describe the conditions livestock. should b...

28. Animal health and diseases Health and welfare of agricultural animals are the responsibility of the farmers.​ In 1965 the Bramwell report was published. It concentrates on welfare of livestock. ​ ​From the Brambell report came the five freedoms. These describe the conditions livestock. should be kept at to ensure good physical health and mental state.  Animals’ welfare needs are summarised as the Five Freedoms.​ ​ Freedom from Thirst, Hunger and Malnutrition​ Thirst​ is the most Important that all animals have clean, fresh supply of water – check troughs regularly​ ​Hunger/ Starvation​ Food must be available every day and all stock should have access to it Move stock, feed meal or fodder if grass is scarce.​ ​Malnutrition ​Livestock should have access to fresh palatable feed. ​Stale or spoiled feed should be removed. Freedom from Discomfort​ Older animals are able to cope with bad weather provided they have adequate food and water and Younger stock benefit from shelter ​ Housing can cause discomfort – lying/ feeding space/ broken slats/ roads​. Adequate ventilation is required to prevent disease’s and have enough natural light.​ Flooring needs to be even and non slip to prevent injury . Disease causes discomfort – prevention is important. Freedom from Pain, Injury and Disease​. It is a farmers job to recognise sick or injured livestock . Signs- lack of eating, discharge from nose mouth or eyes, cough, lameness, scouring, loss of weight, and scratching. ​Disease- Sick animals should be quarantined and a vet should be called asap.​ Prevention is often the best cure, dosing, injecting or use of pour on from livestock before they become Ill.​ Injury to livestock may occur from uneven surface, inadequate housing or handling pens, ​Hazards like broken glass, disused machinery, batteries, chemicals etc should be kept away from animals Freedom from Fear and Distress​.A Stockpersons should remain calm and know animal behaviour​, Fear and distress can be caused by humans or other animals or factors such as noise​. Moving livestock- should be done calmly without excessive force. Loud noises and yelling may cause stress to animals.​ Handling Facilities should be suitable and help animals to move ease​. Group Animals according to size, sex, horned etc Freedom to express Normal Behaviour. Grooming and Licking is natural behaviour – give adequate space​. Animals should be able to see other animals of its type, look around and see activity​. Daylight, Herd health, good management will keep out and slow spread of disease​ and good bio-security measures include Herd Tests, Animal Health Plan and Stock proof farm boundaries to avoid contact with neighbouring stock.​ Diseases that can spread between animals and humans through several routes:​ ​Direct contact- saliva, blood, urine, and fleeces. ​ Indirect contact- contaminated feed/water and bedding.​ Vector- a organism e.g. a tick carries bacteria that causes Lymes diseases. ​ Foodborne- drinking unpasteurised milk. ​ How to avoid risks: ​ Wash hands regularly, Maintain healthy livestock , Clean and cover wounds ​and get a tetanus injection.  Brucellosis is bacterial disease associated with cattle, sheep and goats can be seen from swelling of joints Cryptosporidiosis is parasitic disease associated with cattle and sheep which causes young animals to scour. Leptospirosis is an infectious disease spread through contact with rats or cattle urine or foetal fluids from cattle. Ringworm is a fungal disease associated with many farm animals, including cattle, pigs and horses. Can be seen to from rings of patches on animals. Salmonellosis is a bacterial disease associated with farm animals, especially poultry. Can cause humans to become sick from uncooked meat. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease which can infect pregnant women. Contact with sheep at lambing time and avoid handling dirty clothing used by those handling lambing ewes and newborn lambs. Orf virus infection in animals is commonly referred to as sore mouth, scabby mouth and is contagious to humans. Tuberculosis is a notifiable infectious disease associated with cattle. TB tests are carried our annual on herds.