The clinic recently had a property with a mob of 420 pregnant two-tooth ewes which had no history of vaccination. Twenty-four ewes had aborted over the last few weeks with late fully formed lambs. There was no history of crops or toxin exposure, the weather was calm and settled.
A full autopsy of two lambs was conducted including the placenta. The microbiology results showed a growth of Campylobacter. Abortions with Campylobacter usually occur during the last six weeks of pregnancy but can also be seen as early neonatal losses. The infection is transmitted by ingestion of contaminated feed or water or by direct contact with aborted foetuses. Birds have also been implicated as possible mechanical vectors to spread infection.
Control at the time of abortion outbreak is based on preventing access of animals to infection (areas with aborted foetuses and areas with contamination). Prevention is very effective with vaccination with Campyvax 4 prior to mating and is recommended to be given annually in higher risk areas. · Studies have shown a 5-10% increase in scanning results in two tooth’s vaccinated for Campylobacter verses unvaccinated.
This case highlights the importance of routine vaccination of ewes especially maiden ewes for Campylobacter infection but if there is a high risk then mixed age ewes should also be done annually.
