Fleece-rot: the epidemiology and significance of the disease in sheep.
Fleece-rot is a disease of sheep manifested by a superficial dermatitis with seropurulent exudation and matting and, in some cases, pigmentation of wool which occurs following periods of excessive wetness. In Australia it is recognised as the most important predisposing factor to body blowfly strike, and as such represents a major loss to the Australian wool growing industry. This review of the literature suggests that there is no reason for the condition not to be intermittently a significant problem under South African conditions. A long term solution to the problem is achieved by the breeding of resistant sheep. Measurement of fleece wettability is possibly the best method of distinguishing resistant from susceptible sheep.
D000818:Animals; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000662:veterinary; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014935:Wool