During the dry period diseases may appear in individual cases or in outbreaks involving a number of animals. Infectious diseases may attack more than one system of the body and the clinical signs then relate to the failure of that particular system and include the following:

The digestive system

• Anaemia.
• Blood or mucus in faeces.
• Colic
• Change in the faecal consistency - constipation, diarrhoea.
• Dehydration.
• Distension of the abdomen.
• Inappetence.
• Salivation.
• Variable body condition.
• Vomiting.

The locomotor system

• Abscesses.
• Fractured bones.
• Incoordination.
• Lameness.
• Paralysis.
• Swellings of joints, muscles and tendons.
• Trembling

The nervous system

• Blindness.
• Fits and convulsions.
• Loss of balance, middle ear infections.
• Loss of leg function.
• Muscular tremors.
• Nystagmus (jerky eye movements), meningitis.
• Paraplegia / paralysis.

The respiratory system

• Coughing.
• Discharges from the eye.
• Discharges from the nose.
• Heavy breathing - pneumonia.
• Sneezing.

The skin

• Abscesses.
• Cuts and bruises.
• Dermatitis (inflammation).
• Discoloration.
• Erysipelas lesions. Diamond markings.
• Excessive hair growth.
• Fly bites.
• Greasy skin.
• Haemorrhage.
• Jaundice
• Lice.
• Mange. Scratching.
• Paleness - anaemia.
• Rodent bites.

The urogenital system

• Abnormal discharges from the vulva.
• Abnormal oestrus
• Abnormal urine colour.
• Abortion.
• Blood, mucous, or pus in the urine.
• Fevers.
• Mucus indicative of an early abortion.
• Oestrus, anoestrus.
• Pregnancy failures.
• Wet urine-stained vulva.