Read story here: https://igadstvs.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/somaliland-smallruminants/

Small ruminant respiratory diseases and diarrhea have been problems among the goat keeping pastoralists in Somaliland and especially in Sheikh District. Pastoral types of farming expose pastoralist livelihoods when animals move in search of fresh pastures and water and they, the animals, are exposed to Viral, Bacterial and parasitic diseases.  In some cases, 25% of the animals died of these diseases.

To tackle these problems, pastoralist in Sheikh district asked the ISTVS (IGAD Sheikh Technical Veterinary School) for help. The school mobilized its students and staff to work with them.

After examining the sick animals, the animals were treated with Tylovet (Tylosin) and Ivermectin and farmers were advised to undertake preventive measures to cut disease management costs and the spread of the disease. These were:

  • Separate the sick animals from the healthy animals and avoid mixing the animals with those of different owners. This reduces the spread of the disease.
  • Keep the sick animals around the house to avoid respiratory distress which happens when the animals move.
  • Give the animals enough feed and water to get improved the body condition and raise the immunity of the sheep and goats.
  • Report progress of the treatment after seven days to ISTVS.

Results and feedback

The treatment worked and no further disease occurrences were reported. Some 80 animals were treated by the students at a total cost to the farmer of around 8 USD for the drugs only.

Feedback from the community was very positive.

To avoid this happening again, the farmers called on the government to support this type of community service provided by ISTVS which strengthens the extension work of the students.