Health and Hygiene Around lambing

Health and Hygiene – the link How do infections spread? From animal to animal Faeces Urine Birth fluids Sputum (cough) – aerosols From animal to human Zoonotic diseases From animal via human/equipment to animal

Health and Hygiene – the link How do you stop spread of infections? Keep ewes and lambs in lambing pens Animal to animal contact is less likely Clean out the lambing pens before re-use Pathogens that were around in the straw / buckets / gates are removed Clean clothes, hands and equipment between animal contact Keep bedding clean and dry (pathogens don’t multiply so quickly in a dry environment) Isolate ill animals until they are in good health again

Abortions / Lambs born dead Numerous different infections can cause abortion, as can stress by handling Sheep abortions VLA 2008

Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite Infection in sheep in early pregnancy kills the foetus and ewes may present as barren. Infection later in pregnancy may result in abortion, still births and weakly lambs, often with a mummified foetus. Following infection sheep are immune and should not abort again due to toxoplasmosis. There is an effective vaccine to prevent toxoplasmosis in sheep. Moredun Foundation Newsheet Volume 4 No 10

www.utmb.edu/gsbs/microbook/images/fig84_2.JPG Toxoplasmosis Contact with lambing fluids Toxoplasma can cause serious disease in pregnant women and immuno-compromised people. Infection in pregnant women may seriously damage or even kill the unborn child.

Chlamydia / Enzootic abortion Caused by a bacterium Chlamydophila abortus. Levels of abortion can build up in a flock in the years following the introduction of infection. C. abortus causes severe illness in pregnant women and they should avoid all contact, either direct or indirect, with lambing ewes.

Chlamydia abortion Enzootic abortion Diagnosis is based on examination of aborted lambs and placentas at veterinary laboratories and through blood testing of ewes. Oxytetracycline can be used to treat in-lamb ewes during an outbreak to reduce the number of abortions. There are vaccines available to protect ewes. Replacement stock are an important potential source of infection. Flocks can become accredited free of EAE

Abortions – What to do Extreme good personal hygiene Separate aborting ewes, until vaginal discharge has ceased (up to 3 weeks) Identify the ewes for later blood sampling or culling Send off foetus or vaginal swab for investigation Treat ill ewes with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs Biosecurity & hygiene measures must be a priority Bought in sheep should mix with the flock at least 3 months before tupping, and should be lambed separately in their 1st season

Watery Mouth in lambs E. Coli bacterium from the environment infects newborn lambs Quick deterioration and death Prevent! Hygiene: clean and dry environment Quick intake of good colostrum Some flocks use a standard anti-biotic treatment for every newborn lamb

Navel infections Navel abscess Spread to the joints Prevention! Infection can spread inside towards the liver or urinary system Spread to the joints Joint ill Prevention! Navel dipping / thorough spray Clean and dry environment Good colostrum

What are the hazards? Imagine that Mr. Kirk finds a ewe aborting; What should be done with the ewe ? Describe how you deliver the lambs What should be done with the lambs and the ewe after lambing ? Are the pens and the shed easy to clean and disinfect ? Any suggestions ?

Signs of health in sheep Bright and alert Clear eyes No salivating Breathing: Regular, calm, deep Normal faeces & dry hind quarters Normal gait (not stiff or lame) Even udder, not hot, not hard, no lumps Body Temperature: 39.0 °C (102.0 °F)

Common things around lambing Vaginal prolapse before lambing Ewes often need assistance at lambing Prolapse of the uterus after lambing Check any ewe 1 hour after lambing Ewe spoon or harness is used in case of a vaginal prolapse Put a harness on one of the ewes today!

Orf Virus which spreads quickly via direct contact, even in well managed flocks Causes painful lesions on the lips & mouth Can spread to the ewe’s teats and result in the ewe denying the lambs to suck and mastitis Prevent nasty secundary infections by using oxytetracycline spray Wash your hands, beware of cuts, you don’t want to catch orf yourself Vaccination can help in affected flocks

Sore eyes Cloudy eyes, tears running Entropion (lambs born with a curled-in eyelid) Eye infection spreading through the flock (e.g. via close sheep-to-sheep contact or via silage)

Twin lamb disease Ewe in last month of pregnancy Energy deficiency Can’t eat enough Lambs take in space in the abdomen Lambs demand energy for growth Ewe is dull and this gets worse, the ewe does not get up

Check the sheep We’ll discuss any abnormalities you find! Are you not sure, just ask! Put on a harness