What is enzootic abortion in sheep?
Enzootic abortion, also known as chlamydial abortion, is caused by infection with the bacteria Chlamydophila abortus. The bacteria damages the placenta and reduces the transfer of nutrients to the growing lamb and the production of the hormones that regulate pregnancy.
How do I know if my ewe is aborted?
Aborting ewes show variable clinical signs, including fever, depression, and anorexia, and some may succumb to septicemia. There is some necrosis of cotyledons and the intercotyledonary areas, and the fetus is usually autolyzed. Mummification is possible.
What are the two major causes of abortion in sheep?
Toxoplasmosis and enzootic abortion (EAE) are the two most common causes of sheep abortion that are diagnosed from post-mortem submissions by the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) (Figure 1). Sheep abortion results in considerable economic loss to the flock and increases stress during lambing.
What causes sheep to miscarry?
The major infectious agents causing abortions in sheep are Campylobacter sp, Chlamydia sp, Toxoplasma sp, Listeria sp, Brucella sp, Salmonella sp, border disease virus, and Cache Valley virus.
How is enzootic abortion spread?
Enzootic Abortion is highly contagious from sheep to sheep. 99% of infection takes place around lambing time with ewes and lambs picking the infection up from aborted lambs, infected cleansings and vaginal discharges (which can last for up to 3 weeks) from ewes which have aborted.
What is the meaning of enzootic?
Enzootic: Endemic in animals. An enzootic disease is constantly present in an animal population, but usually only affects a small number of animals at any one time.
Can you fluke pregnant ewes?
“The concern is heavily pregnant ewes could be harbouring infection.” And with liver fluke infection causing overall health issues which could cause abortion, the problem is not one to be taken lightly. “Clinical signs in sheep presented to the VLA have included anaemia, rapid condition loss and sudden death.
Can sheep cause miscarriage?
“The number of reports of these infections and human miscarriages resulting from contact with sheep is extremely small. However, it is important that pregnant women are aware of the potential risks associated with close contact with sheep during lambing.”
How long does it take for a sheep to abort?
Abortion occurs 7-25 days after infection. Following infection ewes mount a good immune response and seldom abort a second time due to Campylobacter.
How can we stop abortion in sheep?
Vaccination is available to prevent infection of the pregnant ewe. Vaccination has to be given at least four weeks prior to mating to be effective. Enzootic Abortion of Ewes is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia abortus.
How is chlamydia spread in sheep?
Unlike koalas and humans, chlamydia in sheep is not a sexually transmitted disease, but transferred through the animals’ droppings. “It is a gastro-intestinal tract disease so it is transmitted in the faeces and then typically re-enters the gastrointestinal tract when it is swallowed,” he said.
When do you give Toxovax?
Toxovax is given to ewe-lambs from 5 months of age and ewes 4 months – 3 weeks before tupping so again, vaccinating now is recommended. As with CEVAC Chlamydia, many farmers choose to only vaccinate new stock the following year, although the vaccine manufacturers do recommend a booster every 2 years.
