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Animal health research in the Small Ruminant Collaborative Research Support Program
A F Alexander1, J C DeMartini, T C McGuire
1Dept. of Pathol., College of Vet. Med. and Biomed. Sci., Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523.
Journal of Animal Science
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Small ruminant diseases hinder production in developing nations. Research now focuses on basic infectious disease studies and developing advanced multivalent vaccines using recombinant technology.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Animal Production
Background:
- Diseases significantly limit small ruminant productivity in developing countries.
- Animal health initiatives have been central to the Small Ruminant Collaborative Research Support Program (SR-CRSP).
- Early projects focused on herd health and veterinary extension, evolving towards basic infectious disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate major infectious diseases affecting small ruminants.
- To develop effective disease control strategies and interventions.
- To leverage advanced technologies for future vaccine development.
Main Methods:
- Focused research on specific infectious diseases.
- Herd health management and veterinary extension.
- Basic scientific studies on disease pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- Identified key diseases including caseous lymphadenitis, contagious caprine pleuropneumonia, caprine arthritis-encephalitis, ovine pulmonary carcinoma, ovine progressive pneumonia, and neonatal alpaca mortality.
- Shifted research focus from general herd care to specific disease investigation.
- Laid groundwork for future technological applications in animal health.
Conclusions:
- Continued, focused research is essential for addressing small ruminant diseases.
- Recombinant technology holds promise for developing multivalent vaccines.
- Improving animal health is critical for sustainable small ruminant production systems.