The recently released Feedlot Lamb Pathology Atlas provides a comprehensive guide to diagnosing common diseases of feedlot lambs.
The reference guide, compiled by Dr. Joyce Van Donkersgoed and Dr. Madhu B. Ravi, has detailed photos taken during lamb autopsies and laboratory tissue analyses showing the signs of common sheep diseases. Atlas chapters are organized by affected body systems (i.e. cardiovascular (heart and circulatory), respiratory (lungs), hepatic (liver), urinary (bladder, kidneys), nervous (brain), integumentary (skin) and musculoskeletal (muscle, bones), reproductive (uterus, neonatal lambs) systems, and miscellaneous).
The intended use of the Atlas as described in its preface is: ”... to provide small ruminant veterinarians and veterinary students with reference photographs of both gross pathology and histopathology (microscopic) lesions to help them identify disease conditions in lamb production... so that [they] can advise [their] producer clients appropriately on disease prevention, treatment, and control management strategies."
“This atlas is also being made available to sheep producers to help them recognize “diseased” organs when they open up a carcass and take digital photographs of tissues to share with their veterinarian. Producers are requested to use the information contained (in the atlas) as general guidelines only and they should always consult their veterinarian for advice. This forward step in digital technology enables a flock veterinarian to make a diagnosis remotely when distance or other factors preclude the ability of the veterinarian to do on-site necropsy.”
Download The Feedlot Lamb Pathology Atlas from the Sheep Health Resources page of this website.