Abortion

Question 1

Abortion in sheep is a major economic concern resulting in £23.8 million loss per yr. What major agents can contribute to abortion in sheep?

Answer 1

• Campylobacter spp (C.fetus fetus & C.jejuni)
• Chlamydophilia abortus (Chlamydia)
• Toxopasmosis

Question 2

What does C. fetus fetus & C.jejuni result in?

Answer 2

• Abortions/ still borns
• Metritis (post partrum)
• Placentitis
• Autolysis of foetus
• Liver necrosis

Question 3

How is Campylobacter spp transmitted?

Answer 3

• After birth material
• Vaginal discharge
• Carrier ewes
• Mechanical vectors (cont. environment, flies)
• Sexual (ram)

Question 4

How is Campylobacter spp diagnosed?

Answer 4

Vaginal/ Newborn swabs of:

• Isolation of Campylobacter spp- from aborted matter
• Campylobacter spp antibodies

Question 5

How is Campylobacter spp treated?

Answer 5

Tetracyclines

Question 6

How can you prevent Campylobacter spp?

Answer 6

Vaccination
Hygiene (remove & destroy aborted matter)
Clean and disinfect with phenol area ASAP

Question 7

What does Chlamdophilia abortus result in?

Answer 7

• Late term abortions (3rd trimester)
• Still births
• Weak lambs
• Placentitis

Question 8

How is Chlamdophilia abortus transmitted?

Answer 8

Reservoir’s of the pathogen include:

• Vaginal discharge
• Carrier ewes
• Mechanical vectors (cont. environment, flies)
• Sexual (ram)

Also 20% of ewes that have aborted are carriers and shed 3 days pre/post ovulation.

Question 9

How is Chlamdophilia abortus diagnosed?

Answer 9

• Isolation of Chlamdophilia abortus
• ELISA
• Chlamdophilia Ab’s

Question 10

How is Chlamdophilia abortus treated?

Answer 10

Tetracycline in food

Question 11

How is Chlamdophilia abortus prevented?

Answer 11

Vaccine (vacc young to prevent in future, 2 vacc available in UK (Innes, 10))
Hygiene

Question 12

what does toxoplasmosis result in?

Answer 12

In infected in early gestation
-Reabsorption/ mummificaiton of foetus

In infected in Late gestation

• Still birth or abortion
• Weak lambs

Question 13

How is toxoplasmosis transmitted?

Answer 13

It is a protozoan parasite therefore has a definitive and intermediate host.
DH: Cat
IH: Rodents

Transmitted by cat shedding eggs in faeces and this contamination sheeps food/ bedding etc.

Question 14

How is toxoplasmosis diagnosed?

Answer 14

• Abortions/ still births
• Presence of toxoplasmosis pathogen
• Ab’s

Question 15

How is toxoplasmosis treated?

Answer 15

Decoquinate in feed when pregnant

Question 16

How is toxoplasmosis prevented?

Answer 16

Vaccination (not whilst preg, 3 weeks prior to mating (Innes, 2010)
Environmental control- control rodents