Animal Health: Diseases, Symptoms, Treatment & Control

A practical reference for farmers covering cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, other poultry, camels, donkeys and fish.

Important veterinary safety notice: This guide is for education and early recognition, not a substitute for diagnosis by a qualified veterinary professional. Disease signs can overlap. Do not guess medicine or dosage, especially antibiotics, antiparasitic drugs or injectable medicines. Observe meat, milk and egg withdrawal periods. Suspected outbreaks of serious or reportable diseases should be reported to veterinary authorities.

Cattle

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)

What it is: FMD is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals.

Common signs: Fever, excessive salivation, mouth or foot blisters/erosions, lameness, reduced feeding and a drop in milk production.

Treatment / response: There is no routine curative antiviral treatment. Isolate affected animals, stop unnecessary movement, notify veterinary authorities and follow official vaccination and outbreak-control instructions. Supportive care should be directed by a veterinarian.

Prevention & control: Vaccination according to the local veterinary programme, movement control, quarantine of new animals, cleaning/disinfection and early reporting.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD)

What it is: A viral disease mainly spread by biting insects and affecting cattle.

Common signs: Fever, firm skin nodules, swollen lymph nodes, reduced appetite, reduced milk production and sometimes swelling of limbs.

Treatment / response: No specific curative treatment. Seek veterinary advice for supportive care and management of secondary infections; control insects and follow official vaccination guidance.

Prevention & control: Vaccination where recommended, vector control, separation of sick animals, hygiene and prompt reporting of suspected outbreaks.

Mastitis

What it is: Inflammation of the udder, commonly associated with bacterial infection and poor milking hygiene.

Common signs: Hot, swollen or painful udder, abnormal milk, clots or watery milk, reduced yield and sometimes fever.

Treatment / response: A veterinarian should examine the animal and select treatment based on the likely cause and, where appropriate, testing. Observe medicine withdrawal periods for milk and meat.

Prevention & control: Clean milking technique, clean equipment, dry bedding, teat hygiene, checking for abnormal milk and treating cases promptly under veterinary guidance.

East Coast fever

What it is: A tick-borne disease caused by Theileria parva and important in parts of East Africa.

Common signs: Fever, enlarged lymph nodes, breathing difficulty, weakness, reduced appetite and sometimes sudden death.

Treatment / response: Urgent veterinary diagnosis and treatment are needed. Medicines are most effective when given early and under professional direction.

Prevention & control: Tick control, strategic use of approved acaricides, vaccination where available/recommended, and early detection.

Anthrax

What it is: A serious bacterial disease that can cause sudden death and can infect people.

Common signs: Sudden death, bleeding from body openings, fever or collapse may occur; signs can be rapid and inconsistent.

Treatment / response: Do not open or butcher a suspected carcass. Isolate the area and contact veterinary authorities immediately. Treatment and vaccination decisions must be made by professionals.

Prevention & control: Routine vaccination in risk areas, safe carcass disposal under official guidance, biosecurity and prompt reporting.

Sheep & Goats

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR)

What it is: A highly contagious viral disease of sheep and goats.

Common signs: Fever, depression, eye and nose discharge, mouth erosions, diarrhoea, coughing and dehydration.

Treatment / response: No specific curative treatment. Veterinary supportive care may reduce losses; antibiotics do not cure the virus but may be used by a veterinarian for secondary bacterial complications.

Prevention & control: Vaccination through approved programmes, quarantine, separation of sick animals, movement control and early reporting.

Sheep/goat pox

What it is: A contagious viral disease causing skin and sometimes internal lesions.

Common signs: Fever, skin papules or nodules, scabs, swollen lymph nodes and respiratory signs in severe cases.

Treatment / response: No specific antiviral cure. Isolate affected animals and obtain veterinary guidance for supportive care and outbreak control.

Prevention & control: Vaccination where recommended, quarantine, insect control, hygiene and movement restrictions during outbreaks.

Internal parasites / worms

What it is: Gastrointestinal parasites can cause major production losses, especially in young or heavily grazed animals.

Common signs: Poor growth, weight loss, diarrhoea, pale mucous membranes, weakness and bottle jaw in some cases.

Treatment / response: Use a veterinarian or animal-health professional to choose an appropriate dewormer and schedule. Avoid routine indiscriminate deworming because drug resistance can develop.

Prevention & control: Pasture management, targeted treatment based on risk or testing, clean water and avoiding overcrowding.

Foot rot

What it is: A contagious hoof infection associated with moisture, damaged feet and poor foot hygiene.

Common signs: Lameness, foul smell, separation of hoof tissues and reluctance to walk.

Treatment / response: Prompt veterinary assessment is recommended. Treatment may include hoof management and appropriate medicines selected by a professional.

Prevention & control: Keep housing and grazing areas dry where possible, inspect feet, quarantine new stock and maintain good hoof hygiene.

Pigs

African swine fever (ASF)

What it is: A severe viral disease of domestic and wild pigs.

Common signs: High fever, weakness, loss of appetite, skin redness or hemorrhages, vomiting/diarrhoea and sudden death may occur.

Treatment / response: There is no effective treatment and routine curative therapy is not available. Immediately isolate affected pigs, stop movement and contact veterinary authorities. Follow official outbreak instructions.

Prevention & control: Strict biosecurity, controlled animal movement, safe feed practices, clean equipment and clothing, and preventing contact with infected pigs or contaminated materials.

Classical swine fever (CSF)

What it is: A contagious viral disease of pigs that can resemble other serious infections.

Common signs: Fever, depression, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, skin discoloration, weakness and reproductive problems.

Treatment / response: Requires veterinary diagnosis. There is no simple farm treatment that cures the virus; control relies on official surveillance, biosecurity and vaccination where authorized.

Prevention & control: Biosecurity, controlled sourcing, quarantine and vaccination where included in the official programme.

Swine erysipelas

What it is: A bacterial disease that can cause acute or chronic illness in pigs.

Common signs: Fever, depression, skin lesions that may appear diamond-shaped, lameness and sudden death in severe cases.

Treatment / response: Veterinary treatment with an appropriate antimicrobial can be effective when started early. Follow the prescribed course and withdrawal periods.

Prevention & control: Vaccination where appropriate, hygiene, reducing stress and prompt treatment of cases.

Chickens & Poultry

Newcastle disease

What it is: A highly contagious viral disease affecting chickens and many other birds.

Common signs: Depression, respiratory signs, coughing, greenish diarrhoea, nervous signs, reduced egg production and sudden deaths.

Treatment / response: No specific curative treatment for the virus. Isolate sick birds, strengthen biosecurity and seek veterinary advice. Supportive care may be used under professional guidance.

Prevention & control: Routine vaccination programme, strict biosecurity, isolation of new/sick birds, clean equipment and controlled movement.

Avian influenza

What it is: A group of influenza viruses that can cause severe disease in poultry and wild birds.

Common signs: Sudden deaths, depression, reduced feed intake, respiratory signs, swollen head, reduced egg production or abnormal eggs.

Treatment / response: Do not attempt to treat an outbreak yourself. Isolate the flock, avoid handling or moving birds, and immediately contact veterinary authorities for testing and official control measures.

Prevention & control: Biosecurity, preventing contact with wild birds, controlled movement, hygiene and rapid reporting.

Coccidiosis

What it is: A parasitic intestinal disease common in intensively reared poultry.

Common signs: Diarrhoea, poor growth, weakness, ruffled feathers and sometimes blood in droppings.

Treatment / response: Use an approved anticoccidial only according to veterinary/label directions and flock circumstances. Severe cases need professional assessment.

Prevention & control: Dry litter, appropriate stocking density, good sanitation and a planned prevention programme.

Fowl pox

What it is: A viral disease spread by mosquitoes and contact between birds.

Common signs: Scabs or wart-like lesions on unfeathered skin; the wet form can cause lesions in the mouth and breathing difficulty.

Treatment / response: There is no specific antiviral cure. Veterinary supportive care and management of secondary infections may be needed.

Prevention & control: Vaccination where appropriate, mosquito control, hygiene and separation of affected birds.

Camels

Trypanosomiasis (surra)

What it is: A blood parasite disease transmitted mainly by biting flies in susceptible camel populations.

Common signs: Fever, weakness, weight loss, anaemia, swelling and reduced performance; chronic cases may become debilitated.

Treatment / response: Veterinary diagnosis is important because several diseases have similar signs. Use only approved trypanocidal treatment prescribed or directed by a veterinarian.

Prevention & control: Vector control, reducing exposure to biting flies, surveillance and early treatment of confirmed cases.

Mastitis

What it is: Udder inflammation that can reduce milk production and affect milk quality.

Common signs: Hot or swollen udder, abnormal milk, pain and reduced milk yield.

Treatment / response: Veterinary examination is recommended; treatment should be selected professionally with attention to medicine withdrawal periods.

Prevention & control: Good milking hygiene, clean equipment, dry bedding and early detection.

Donkeys

Colic

What it is: Colic is a clinical sign of abdominal pain rather than one single disease.

Common signs: Pawing, rolling, sweating, looking at the abdomen, reduced manure, restlessness or repeated lying down.

Treatment / response: Treat as potentially urgent. Remove access to feed until a veterinarian advises otherwise, avoid force-feeding, and seek veterinary attention promptly.

Prevention & control: Regular feeding routines, clean water, dental care, parasite control and avoiding sudden diet changes.

Tetanus

What it is: A serious bacterial disease caused by toxin-producing Clostridium tetani.

Common signs: Stiffness, difficulty eating, muscle spasms, a raised or locked jaw and sensitivity to stimulation.

Treatment / response: Emergency veterinary treatment is required. Vaccination is a major preventive measure; wound management and specific medicines may be necessary.

Prevention & control: Routine vaccination, clean wound care and prompt veterinary attention for deep or contaminated wounds.

Equine influenza

What it is: A contagious respiratory viral disease that can affect equids including donkeys.

Common signs: Coughing, nasal discharge, fever, depression and reduced appetite.

Treatment / response: Supportive care and isolation are important; veterinary advice should guide treatment and rest.

Prevention & control: Vaccination where recommended, quarantine of new arrivals, ventilation and avoiding mixing during outbreaks.

Fish

Bacterial infections

What it is: Bacterial diseases can occur when fish are stressed, injured or exposed to poor water quality.

Common signs: Skin ulcers, fin erosion, abnormal swimming, loss of appetite, gill changes and increased mortality.

Treatment / response: First correct water-quality and husbandry problems. Veterinary or aquatic-animal advice is needed before using antibiotics; inappropriate use can promote antimicrobial resistance.

Prevention & control: Good water quality, appropriate stocking density, clean equipment, quarantine of new fish and prompt removal of mortalities.

Parasitic infections

What it is: External and internal parasites can affect farmed fish, especially under stressful conditions.

Common signs: Flashing/rubbing, excess mucus, damaged gills, poor growth, abnormal swimming and mortality.

Treatment / response: Diagnosis should identify the parasite before treatment. Use only approved products and follow professional or label directions.

Prevention & control: Quarantine, water-quality management, appropriate stocking density and routine observation.

Poor water quality

What it is: Low oxygen, toxic ammonia/nitrite, unsuitable pH or temperature can cause disease-like signs and death.

Common signs: Gasping at the surface, lethargy, reduced feeding, abnormal swimming and sudden mortality.

Treatment / response: Immediately test water and correct the underlying parameter safely. Increase aeration where appropriate and seek technical advice for severe events.

Prevention & control: Regular testing, adequate aeration, controlled feeding, appropriate stocking and routine water exchange/management.

Other Poultry

Duck viral enteritis (duck plague)

What it is: A contagious viral disease of ducks and some other waterfowl.

Common signs: Depression, weakness, diarrhoea, poor appetite and sudden deaths.

Treatment / response: There is no simple curative treatment; isolate affected birds and obtain veterinary advice.

Prevention & control: Biosecurity, separation of domestic birds from wild waterfowl, hygiene and vaccination where officially recommended.

Fungal respiratory disease (aspergillosis)

What it is: A fungal disease often associated with mouldy litter or feed.

Common signs: Difficulty breathing, gasping, poor growth, weakness and increased mortality in young birds.

Treatment / response: Remove the source of mould and improve ventilation. Veterinary assessment is recommended; antifungal treatment may not be practical at flock level.

Prevention & control: Use clean, dry litter and feed, prevent mould growth and maintain good ventilation.

When an Animal Is Sick: Basic Response

Observe and record the signs, number of animals affected, age and recent changes in feed or management.
Separate sick animals where practical, while avoiding unnecessary movement.
Provide clean water, suitable shelter and appropriate supportive care while waiting for professional advice.
Do not sell, slaughter or move animals suspected of having a serious contagious disease without veterinary guidance.
Clean and disinfect equipment, footwear and high-risk areas using an appropriate procedure.
Contact a qualified veterinary professional or the relevant county veterinary office for diagnosis and treatment.

Healthy Animal Checklist

Normal appetite and drinking behaviour.
Alert behaviour and normal movement.
Normal breathing without persistent coughing or difficult breathing.
Clean eyes and nose without unusual discharge.
Normal manure and urine for the species.
Good body condition and appropriate growth or production.
Clean housing, good ventilation and safe water.
Vaccination and parasite-control programme appropriate to the farm and local veterinary advice.

Professional References

Information should be interpreted alongside current advice from Kenya's Directorate of Veterinary Services, county veterinary officers and recognized animal-health authorities.

Last reviewed for this website: September 2026. Disease status and official control programmes can change; farmers should follow current county and national veterinary instructions.