FieldDxScrapieClinical signs, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention in sheep.
Overview
A fatal, slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease of sheep and goats -- the original discovered prion disease. An abnormal, self-propagating misfolded prion protein.
Clinical signs
- Erect posture in sheep (with the appearance of Scrapie).
Predisposing factors
- Occurrence Geographic Occurrence and Incidence Scrapie in sheep occurs enzootically in the UK, Europe, and North America.
Look-alikes to rule out
Treatment
No treatment exists for this fatal prion disease; control relies on surveillance, quarantine, depopulation of infected flocks, official identification and tracing, import restrictions, and breeding for genetic resistance.
Prevention
1. Necropsy and test any sheep or goat that dies mysteriously or after weight loss or CNS signs. 2. Depopulate infected flocks and trace back exposed animals. 3. Select breeding stock for genetically resistant PrP genotypes. 4. Decontaminate equipment (sodium hydroxide soak, autoclave); incinerate carcasses; enforce import restriction and quarantine.
Source
A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER — Scrapie
A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goat by ELSEVIER (Page 64)
MSD Veterinary Manual — Scrapie (accessed 2026-09-21)
Condensed and attributed, never reproduced whole. Open the full entry in the app.