Orf, vaccinating Ewes before lambing to protect lambs

[crazy_bull]

so just seen an advert suggesting treating the ewes with scabivax 7 weeks before lambing to protect the lambs.

Anyone know if that is continued immunity or just temporary job that would need topping up like hepatavac etc

C B

 

[yellowbelly]

Anyone know if that is continued immunity or just temporary job that would need topping up like hepatavac etc

As far as I remember, one dose gives immunity for 12 months. IIRC, the ewes have to be done 7 weeks before lambing so that they don't have contageous scabs when their lambs are born.
We don't do ewes here, only lambs when they are ringed.

 

[spin cycle]

As far as I remember, one dose gives immunity for 12 months. IIRC, the ewes have to be done 7 weeks before lambing so that they don't have contageous scabs when their lambs are born.
We don't do ewes here, only lambs when they are ringed.

how does vaccing at ringing work?,,,,do you have to use a whole bottle once started?

 

[yellowbelly]

We're lambing inside so do them when we've got about 50 to do at a time. If there's a bit left we always use it up next time
To be fair, I've checked lambs scratched with vaccine that's been opened more than 24 hours and their scabs have always 'taken'.

 

[neilo]

so just seen an advert suggesting treating the ewes with scabivax 7 weeks before lambing to protect the lambs.

Anyone know if that is continued immunity or just temporary job that would need topping up like hepatavac etc

C B

Vaccinating ewes will protect them from getting orf, not the lambs. There is no passive immunity passed through colostrum, as there would be with the clostridial booster.

I used to do the indoor lambing pedigree ewes to protect their teats from orf, but I stopped that several years back and have seen no difference. I’ve not done lambs for probably 20 years. A hateful job IME. More than happy to rely on buckets to mop up odd mild cases before they progress, whilst allowing them to develop a natural immunity.

I was led to believe vaccination cover lasts about 6 months, given a tail wind and a dollop of luck.....

 

[crazy_bull]

Vaccinating ewes will protect them from getting orf, not the lambs. There is no passive immunity passed through colostrum, as there would be with the clostridial booster.

I used to do the indoor lambing pedigree ewes to protect their teats from orf, but I stopped that several years back and have seen no difference. I’ve not done lambs for probably 20 years. A hateful job IME. More than happy to rely on buckets to mop up odd mild cases before they progress, whilst allowing them to develop a natural immunity.

I was led to believe vaccination cover lasts about 6 months, given a tail wind and a dollop of luck.....

I guess the advert has just been cleverly worded to seem like protection gets passed on.

Thought it was too good to be true.

C B

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

Are some breeds of sheep more prone to Orf than others?
We very seldom see it and the worst time we had it was when I bought in some ewes that had been housed before lambing and had it on their teats.
Mostly now it is caused when lambs are older and put on ground where there are a lot of thistles.

 

[JD-Kid]

scrach lambs here at tailing
one year had a dud batch and was recalled did not get a reaction or very poor in some cases
do notice a higher number of ewes with bad bags at weaning if high % of lambs with orf
vet was looking at trial of doing ewes pre lamb
big prob would be the scabs comeing off would happen pre lamb and infect area if lambs in areas of gorse thistles etc that can break the skin around mouth then pick up infection from ground
hot high UV levels etc will kill it but if you think early spring the weather would extend life time if disease
it is thought some ewes are carryers and scraching them will lower the risk not sure on that tho

 

[andybk]

we do ewes , just so they have some protection for teats while suckilng , dropped the day old vax years back , and actually see less in lambs indoors , always keep salt in pens though

 

[llamedos]

Vaccinating ewes will protect them from getting orf, not the lambs. There is no passive immunity passed through colostrum, as there would be with the clostridial booster.

I used to do the indoor lambing pedigree ewes to protect their teats from orf, but I stopped that several years back and have seen no difference. I’ve not done lambs for probably 20 years. A hateful job IME. More than happy to rely on buckets to mop up odd mild cases before they progress, whilst allowing them to develop a natural immunity.

I was led to believe vaccination cover lasts about 6 months, given a tail wind and a dollop of luck.....

I guess the advert has just been cleverly worded to seem like protection gets passed on.View attachment 612034

Thought it was too good to be true.

C B

@Leereade