Basic HTML Version
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
17
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
OV INE ABORT ION
OVINE
ABORTION
Abortion in sheep is common, but it should not be thought of
as inevitable. There are excellent vaccines for the commonest
causes of abortion and some of the other causes have factors
that can be reduced.
The most common causes
of abortion in sheep are:
1
Enzootic Abortion of Ewes (EAE)
2
Toxoplasmosis
3
Listeria
4
Camplyobacter
5
Salmonella
6
Border disease
Enzootic Abortion
of Ewes
(EAE)
Chlamydophila abortus is spread through
vaginal secretions and placental membranes
at lambing. Ewes are normally infected in one
year and abort the next. The closer she is to
term, the more likely she is to produce viable,
but weak lambs. These lambs are technically
still abortions and are usually infected with
the organism themselves.
Infection causing only a few abortions one year
can ultimately lead to over 30% of the flock
aborting the following year producing ‘abortion
storms’. This may also happen following
vaccination of an infected flock, as most of the
ewes were infected before vaccination. Sourcing
replacement stock from flocks ‘accredited free’
or of known status is strongly advised.
Oxytetracycline can be used as an
emergency treatment for new outbreaks,
speak to your vet for further advice.