Lorna Pillar BVM BVS MRCVS, Molecare Veterinary Services
Infectious causes of abortion of sheep in the UK is a very important issue to tackle. Infectious causes of abortion are very common and not only do they contribute to serious economic losses, many of them (including the two most common) can also cause abortions in people. In this article, we will cover Enzootic abortion and Toxoplasmosis, both of which are very common across the country but can be effectively controlled in a flock via good biosecurity practices and vaccinations.
Enzootic Abortion
Enzootic abortion (EAE) is the most commonly diagnosed infectious cause of abortion in sheep in the UK and it is caused by the bacteria Chlamydophila abortus. It is usually introduced to a farm via brought in stock carrying the infection. The bacteria is shed in abortive material (e.g. placentas/foetuses) in large numbers meaning any other sheep coming into contact with this are likely to also become infected. However, the disease is not apparent as newly infected sheep can abort in the last third of their pregnancy the following year. If the majority of a flock has not been exposed to EAE in the past and subsequently becomes infected; it can cause abortion storms which typically affect 25% of the ewes. A flock which has had EAE present for a while may see rumbling losses of about 5% each year. EAE is quite difficult to control via management as it is shed in such high numbers, susceptible animals become infected quite easily but there are some important measures to take to help limit its spread within the flock:
- Separate aborted ewes and abortion material
- Don’t foster replacement lambs onto these ewes as they can easily become infected
The best way to control EAE in a flock is by only buying from accredited flocks and vaccination. Enzovax is a vaccination which can be given into the muscle or subcutaneously at a dose of 2ml per sheep. This vaccine needs to be given at least 4-weeks before tupping and no more than 4-months before tupping in order to give effective protection. If a ewe is already infected with EAE before she is vaccinated, the vaccine may limit the effects but it will not afford full protection from abortion. In the face of an abortion storm you should:
- Isolate aborting ewes
- Collect foetuses and placentas for testing at the lab
- Contact your vet
- Inject at risk ewes with a long acting oxytetracycline (under the guidance of a vet)
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is the second most important infectious cause of abortion in the UK and it is caused by the protozoa Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are the main host for the toxoplasma and sheep usually become infected with Toxoplasma by ingesting cat faeces containing the Toxo eggs. Toxoplasma can cause abortions, mummification, reabsorption and weakly born lambs depending on what stage of pregnancy the ewe is in when she becomes infected. Although it can help to only keep adult neutered cats on a farm realistically it is very difficult to control the movements of cats and so the best method of control for Toxoplasma is via a vaccination. Toxovax is also a dose of 2ml per ewe and is given into the muscle, it should be administered at least 3-weeks before tupping and no earlier than 4-months before. Toxovax can be given at the same time as Enzovax however they should be administered at different sites. If it is felt that a booster is required the vaccination can be repeated after 2-years.
Although both of these diseases are commonly seen in UK flocks they are effectively and easily controlled via simple management steps and vaccination. In order to determine if your flock has been exposed to either of these pathogens a blood test can be taken to help aid any decisions regarding abortion control and vaccination. It is also important to note that both of these diseases will cause weak lambs and not just abortions and so a high prevalence of poor lambs is also an indication for investigation into both of these diseases.
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