Signs of livestock disease can include any number of changes in the appearance, activity levels, or behavior of your animals. If you are concerned that your livestock is sick, it is best to contact your veterinarian. Trying to diagnose your livestock yourself can lead to improper treatments or delays that can cause more serious illness or even death. In the case of herd animals, serious illnesses can quickly spread, endangering all of the animals in the herd.

Signs of livestock disease can vary greatly from one species of animal to another, especially in their intensity. Sudden weight loss on a large animal such as a hog may not be as noticeable as it would be on a smaller animal, such as a goat. Pregnant animals and very young offspring are often affected by disease much more seriously than other livestock. One sign of livestock illness that is common to most animals is loss of pregnancy, or spontaneous abortion. While there can be many causes for this, spontaneous abortion is often a sign of livestock disease in the mother, in the fetus, or in both.

Excess nasal discharge, loss of appetite, and diarrhea are also signs of livestock disease that are common to many animals. Some livestock diseases will cause blood in the urine, sometimes referred to as “redwater” in cattle. Weakness and weight loss, especially sudden weight loss, can also be common signs of livestock disease.

In dairy cows and goats, sometimes one of the first signs of livestock disease is a significant drop in milk production. While this is also common in lactating females of other species as well, it is often more readily apparent in dairy animals.

Herd animals, such as cattle, sheep and goats, sick animals will sometimes separate themselves from the herd. There is a tendency for sick herd animals to hang back from the others somewhat, which can be a sign of livestock disease. In an opposite display of similar behavior, though, swine infected with classical swine fever or CSF (also known as hog cholera), tend to pile together in a huddle when infected with an acute form of the disease.

Any marked change in the behavior or appearance of livestock can be a sign of livestock disease. Since the health and well-being of not just that animal but also others in the herd could be at stake, proper diagnosis and treatment is critical. Contact your veterinarian at the first signs of livestock disease.