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Plan for the Future Health of the Lamb Crop and Replacement Ewes

By John Bewes, Dairy Hygiene Specialist

Many sheep farmers– possibly as many as 50% - are failing to plan an effective disease prevention programme and risk the death of stock from Clostridial diseases and Pasteurella infection. Around 60-70% of sheep carry the pasteurella bacteria on their tonsils and in their lungs at all times, and recent research has shown the disease has a significant economic impact on growing lambs. For every lamb that dies of Pasteurella, there is a significant and costly loss of growth and performance of other lambs in the flock, which in monetary terms is likely to exceed the value of those that have died. This subsequent poor performance illustrates the true cost of a disease outbreak.

A vaccination programme with Heptavac P Plus and Ovivac P Plus is essential to minimise such losses. This means all sheep that require the full course receive their first two vaccinations 4 weeks apart and then go on to be boosted annually. However, depending on which vaccines have been used and the disease challenges faced, many farms may need to vaccinate their lambs after the immunity gained from the ewes colostrum has finished – see chart below.

For assistance with animal health queries and problems, please speak to our qualified (SQP) staff at your local branch.

  Heptavac-P Plus Lambivac Ovipas Plus Ovipas-P Plus Notes
Lamb diseases          
Lamb Dysentry  •   •    
Affects lambs under a week old. Therefore protection can only come from antibodies in colostrum.
Pulpy Kidney   •   •     • Affects lambs 3 - 12 weeks old and from about 6 months old. Young lambs require antibodies in colostrum, older lambs should be vaccinated.
Ewe diseases     
 
     
Struck        •   •     Affects sheep over a year old. Require vaccination for protection. 
Black Disease    •       Often associated with fluke damage to the liver. usually sheep over a year old but may be seen in younger sheep.
Both lamb and ewe  
     
 
Braxy   •  
    • Usually affects lambs over 9 months old. Protection from vaccination rather than colostral antibodies.
Tetanus   •   •     • Usually affects lambs at any age. Young lambs require antibodies in colostrum, older lambs should be vaccinated.
Blackleg   •       • Usually affects lambs over 6 months old. Protection from vaccination rather than colostral antibodies.
Mannhaemia (Pasteurella) haemolytica   •     •   • The two bacteria responsible for pasteurellosis. Can affect sheep at any age. Lambs under 4 weeks of age rely on antibodies from colostrum for protection. Older sheep require vaccination.
Pasteurella trehalosi   •     •   •

 


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