“Fly strike in sheep”的意思、由来-开放百科全书

Flystrike in sheep is a myiasis condition, in which domestic sheep are infected by one of several species of flies which are external parasites of sheep. Sheep are particularly susceptible to flystrike because their thick wool, if sufficiently contaminated with dirt and fluids, can provide effective breeding ground for maggots even in the relative absence of wounds.

Causes

Flystrike in sheep is a condition where parasitic flies lay eggs on soiled wool or open wounds. After hatching, the maggots bury themselves in the sheep's wool and eventually under the sheep's skin, feeding off their flesh. Once the larvae develop, flies continue to deposit eggs on to new or already infected sheep, starting the infection process over again. Sheep display symptoms such as agitation, odour and matted wool, all of which further encourage the attraction of flies. Fly strike can be lethal for sheep due to ammonia poisoning.^[1]

Fly strike is problematic, not only causing loss or degradation of stock, but also requiring expenditure of both money and time for effective management. In Australia, Lucilia cuprina causes about 90% of infestations, and Chrysomya rufifacies is the most common secondary pest the targets wounds caused by L. cuprina.^[2]

Identification of infected sheep

Flystrike sheep are identified in the flock by characteristic green or wet-looking patches in the sheep's fleece, usually around the haunches or tail, or at the site of an open wound, where wool can create a damper area which is more attractive to flies. In male sheep the penile region is also a common area for flystrike to occur. When the flock settle, infected sheep will display signs of agitation, such as foot stamping or turning to nibble their body. Flystruck animals often have a strong characteristic odour and in severe cases, the wet-looking wool can begin to shed. ^[2] Fly strike is more likely to be found in favorable environmental conditions such as temperatures between {{convert|15–38|°C|°F}}, recent rain, and wind speeds below {{convert|9|km/h|mph}}.^[3]

The peak UK Green Bottle breeding season tends to be in late June or July, but Flystrike can occur at any time warm damp conditions prevail and Green Bottles are active.

Treatment

If infested, animals should be removed from the flock and all wool in and around roughly a 1 cm or larger radius of the discoloured area clipped. The area is treated with insecticide to kill the maggots. Soothing cream can also be applied to skin grazes or lesions caused by the maggots. Clippings should be collected after removal, placed in a maggot-proof bag and left closed in the sun, to ensure that no other animal is infected.^[4]

Prevention

There are several preventative measures which are used to reduce the occurrence of flystrike in sheep flocks, these include:^[3]

None of these measures completely stop the occurrence of fly strike in sheep, and regular treatment is still necessary.^[5]

See also

References

1. ^{{citeweb|url=http://www.vetent.co.nz/sheep-beef-deer-disease-management/flystrike.html|title=Flystrike (Myiasis)}}
2. ^Fahy, L., Lauber, M., & Suter, R. (2011). Flystrike. Retrieved 10 2013, from Department of Environment and Primary Industries.
3. ^¹²{{citeweb|url=https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/livestock-parasites/managing-flystrike-sheep?page=0%2C0|title=Managing flystrike in sheep|accessdate=July 24, 2016}}
4. ^Besier, B., Evans, D., Feuvre, A., James, P., & Levot, G. (2013). Dressing Flystike Wounds. Retrieved 10 2013, from Sheep CRC.
5. ^Fahy, L., Lauber, M., & Suter, R. (2011). Flystrike. Retrieved 10 2013, from Department of Environment and Primary Industries.

5 : Flies and humans|Sheep and goat diseases|Arthropod infestations|Veterinary entomology|Parasitic infestations, stings, and bites of the skin