Infectious diseases in farm animals triggered by pathogenic microorganisms affect the health and well-being of livestock and human populations. Pathogen detection is an important step for the successful diagnosis, treatment and control of infectious diseases in animals. Pathogens that persist in the poultry and livestock industries can be responsible for more than 70% of emerging infections. Thus, rapid diagnostic tools are extremely important. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a great opportunity to tackle this challenge and to develop fast, accurate and economical diagnostics for the detection of pathogens. Various nanostructures, due to the presence of unique characteristics shown in nanomaterials, have already been applied in biodiagnostics to detect specific molecular targets, including pathogen detection. In this context, this review focuses on the application, role and challenges of nanosensors in detecting disease-causing pathogens in agriculture. Several nanostructures are investigated for their utility in providing innovative solutions for pathogen detection in farm animals. This comprehensive examination seeks to unravel the intricate nanosensors landscape, shedding some light on their role in advancing diagnostic capabilities within the agricultural domain. By elucidating the challenges inherent in their application, the review contributes to the ongoing discourse on harnessing nanotechnology for the detection and management of infectious diseases in livestock, ultimately paving the way for developments in veterinary diagnostics.