Livestock Health in Nepal's Monsoon: Vaccination Schedule & Disease Prevention

Why Monsoon Raises Disease Risk

Monsoon brings a sharp rise in flies and midges, which pushes up the risk of ephemeral fever (a vector-borne disease) in cattle, buffalo, and oxen. Pay close attention to shed hygiene, don't let water pool around the barn, and contact your nearest livestock service centre immediately if you see high fever, limping, body stiffness, or a milking animal's output suddenly dropping.

Core Vaccination Schedule by Species

• Cattle, buffalo, yak, chauri: Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Haemorrhagic Septicaemia & Black Quarter (H.S & B.Q), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)
• Sheep and goats: PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants)
• Pigs: Classical Swine Fever (C.S.F), FMD
• Local poultry: Newcastle Disease (N.D), Fowl Pox
• Dogs and cats: Rabies (ARV), DHPPL

Confirm these vaccinations are already current whenever you buy new animals, not just for the ones you already own.

Ticks and Internal Parasites

For internal parasites like liver fluke, roundworm, and tapeworm in cattle, sheep, and goats, get periodic dung or hoof checks done and follow your vet's dosing advice for deworming. For external parasites — lice, ticks, mites — use cypermethrin or triazophos solutions strictly per veterinary guidance. Never use these treatments on sick, weak, pregnant, or nursing young animals.

Preventing Mastitis in Milking Animals

After each milking, dip the teats for 30 seconds in a 1:9 mix of glycerine and povidone iodine, and keep the animal standing (by offering feed) for at least 15 minutes afterward — this single habit significantly cuts mastitis risk.

Recognizing Foot-and-Mouth Disease

In cloven-hoofed animals, fever combined with blisters on the hoof (between the claws and above), tongue, lips, mouth, or muzzle — which then burst into open sores — is a strong sign of FMD. Report these symptoms to your nearest veterinary service immediately.