Authors : V. Senthilkumar, M. Thirunavukkarasu and G. Kathiravan
Abstract: To assess the factors that influence the survival time of sheep affected by sheep pox or enterotoxaemia, 150 sheep farms affected by sheep pox (108) and enterotoxaemia (42) were selected through multistage random sampling technique from the purposively selected Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. Relevant data were collected for the period of two years (2000-01 and 2001-02). The data so collected were used to fit Cox hazard functional models separately for each disease. One unit increase in breed and veterinary care indicators in sheep pox affected flock would increase the hazard rate by 10.49 and 15.61%, respectively. Similarly, one unit increase in age and vaccination would decrease hazard rate by 66.40 and 67.23%, respectively. The relative risk for the non-provision of veterinary care indicated that the risk of dying was 4.16 times higher for an animal provided with no veterinary care, compared to the one, which received veterinary care. One unit increase in breed and veterinary care indicators in enterotoxaemia affected flock would increase the hazard rate by 78.00 and 2.43%, respectively. Similarly, a unit increase in deworming would decrease the hazard rate by 36.01%. The relative risk for the non-provision of veterinary care indicated that the estimated risk of dying is 3.02 times higher for an animal provided with no veterinary care, compared to the one, which received veterinary care.
Senthilkumar, V. , M. Thirunavukkarasu and G. Kathiravan , 2006. Survival Time in Sheep Affected by Sheep Pox and Enterotoxaemia. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 647-650.