[1] M. ovipneumoniae is a respiratory pathogen of domestic sheep, domestic goats, Bighorn sheep, auodad, mountain goats, and other Caprinae and can cause both primary atypical pneumonia and also predispose infected animals to secondary pneumonia with other agents, including Mannheimia haemolytica.

[1] Several mechanisms are involved in the pathogenicity of M. ovipneumoniae, including altering macrophage activity, adhering to the ruminants' ciliated epithelium via its polysaccharide capsule, inducing the production of autoantibodies to ciliary antigens, and suppressive activity on lymphocytes, all of which are important factors that contribute to the disease in sheep and other small ruminants.

M. ovipneumoniae paralyzes cilia in the airways of the infected animal which doesn't allow them to push out the pneumonia-causing bacteria that has entered the lungs.

[5] A combination of this with other environmental factors can cause respiratory disease and increased mortality rates in infected individuals.

[5] In July 2007, this species of Mycoplasma was linked to the deaths of Bighorn sheep in the Western United States.

[9] Mycoplasma species are labile organisms which are easily destroyed by heat, dehydration, sunlight, and common disinfectants, so they do not survive for a long time outside the body of the animal.

[1] Subtle and often unnoticeable clinical symptoms are present until severe damage associated with secondary bacterial infection sets in.

[12] Clinical signs such as fever, lethargy, head shaking, coughing, nasal discharge, and sudden death are common in Bighorn sheep possessing M.