09/04/2026
🐑⚠️ THINK PNEUMONIA IS ONLY A WINTER PROBLEM? THINK AGAIN!
With the drought we’re experiencing right now, we’re seeing much drier conditions than normal—and with that comes A LOT more dust. 🌾💨
For sheep, all that dust isn’t just annoying. Fine dust particles can irritate the respiratory tract and make sheep more susceptible to respiratory problems. Dry pastures, dusty pens, hay, bedding, and even normal flock activity can put a surprising amount of dust into the air.
☀️ SUMMER RESPIRATORY HEALTH MATTERS!
We often hear the term “dust pneumonia,” but dust irritation isn’t necessarily the same thing as bacterial pneumonia. However, irritated airways can make it easier for respiratory disease to develop.
And then there’s winter…
❄️ WINTER PNEUMONIA can be associated with cold and wet conditions, poor ventilation, overcrowding, sudden temperature changes, and respiratory pathogens.
🚨 KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS:
• Persistent coughing
• Nasal discharge
• Rapid or difficult breathing
• Fever
• Depression or lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Poor weight gain or loss of condition
• Hanging back from the flock
🌬️ WHAT CAN WE DO?
✔️ Provide good ventilation
✔️ Reduce dust whenever possible
✔️ Keep bedding clean and dry
✔️ Avoid overcrowding
✔️ Don’t feed moldy or excessively dusty hay
✔️ Keep clean water available
✔️ Minimize stress
✔️ Monitor sheep closely
✔️ Work with your veterinarian when illness is suspected
🐑 THE TAKEAWAY:
Pneumonia doesn’t take a season off.
Right now, with drought conditions and all the extra dust, it’s a good reminder to pay close attention to our flock’s respiratory health.
Sometimes the first sign isn’t a dramatic cough—it may simply be a sheep that’s not eating quite right, hanging back, breathing faster than normal, or just doesn’t seem like itself.
Know your sheep. Watch your sheep. Catch problems early. ❤️
We’re keeping a close eye on our own flock here at Twisted Dogwood Farm and doing what we can to reduce the effects of these extremely dry, dusty conditions.
🌿🐑 Healthy sheep. Stronger flocks.