Sudden deaths

[Jim75]

Currently experiencing quite a few deaths among ewes and lambs. Ewes are all on heptavac p. Half the lambs have been given there first vaccination and the other half are due anytime now due to there age. Deaths are mixture of vaccinated and non vaccinated and mixture of 6 different groups. Lost 5 lambs (big and strong) over last couple days and 3 ewes. Similar numbers a couple weeks ago.
Ewes were going down with mastitis, udders cold and hard. Pm'd the first ones we lost and came back as ecoli pneumonia and resistant to penicillin and oxytet.
Going to pm the ones we picked up tonight to see what's happening this time.
Getting a bit concerned the way they are dropping and looking for any avenues to explore.

@bovine

 

[bovine]

it's unlikely to be the same problem in ewes and lambs. Make sure there are 2 parallel investigations going on.

Until about a month after the 2nd injection of the vaccination course the animal has little meaningful protection. These are not vaccinated in any real sense.

Without PM's and samples we won't know.

 

[Jim75]

it's unlikely to be the same problem in ewes and lambs. Make sure there are 2 parallel investigations going on.

Until about a month after the 2nd injection of the vaccination course the animal has little meaningful protection. These are not vaccinated in any real sense.

Without PM's and samples we won't know.

Lab contacted me after the first set of pms and bacteria sample and that's what they said for both. I could double check though. Farm has had a pipeline through the middle of it and reinstated in the last 6 months. Previous history of clostridial problems and blackleg in cattle. Would the ground being disturbed be kicking up a lot of problems?

 

[bovine]

It could be but the history all seems rather mixed up. Why were the lab contacting you? In England contact is via your vet.

Blackleg could infect both.

 

[Jim75]

It could be but the history all seems rather mixed up. Why were the lab contacting you? In England contact is via your vet.

Blackleg could infect both.

They took my number to inform me directly and Results also passed to vet and discussed with them. Can they test for blackleg? I mentioned it specifically when dropping them off the first time

 

[bovine]

Interesting.

Yes, can specifically test but the lesions are diagnostic in themselves.

 

[Jim75]

They were testing for nemo and found one in one lamb and said it was nothing to worry about at the time but to keep it in mind. This was approx 3-4 weeks ago.

 

[Northeastfarmer]

I lost a few lambs from blackleg after drainage work....that's when I started ovivac them

 

[bovine]

Also interesting. In baby lambs I'd say any nematodirus eggs were significant.

 

[Jim75]

Also interesting. In baby lambs I'd say any nematodirus eggs were significant.

Those ones were 4 weeks old at the time they were pm'd. Some of tonight's are the same group so could be 8 weeks

 

[Jim75]

Does ovivac cover them for that and not heptavac p @Northeastfarmer

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Does ovivac cover them for that and not heptavac p @Northeastfarmer

Ovivac covers them from blackleg yes...don't know about heptivac I don't use it

 

[Jim75]

Ovivac covers them from blackleg yes...don't know about heptivac I don't use it

@bovine

 

[yellowbelly]

Does ovivac cover them for that and not heptavac p @Northeastfarmer

IIRC, Ovivac P Plus does pulpy kidney, tetanus, blackleg, braxy and pasturella.
Heptavac P Plus does all of the above plus lamb dysentery, struck and Blacks disease.

 

[bovine]

Heptavac covers everything Ovivac does, including Blackleg

 

[beardface]

Is there any way to fence of where the pipeline went with electric if the deaths stop then there's your problem id say

 

[Six Dogs]

I would suggest pasturella,clear link from lambs carrying pasturella haemalitica in their throats and ewes with mastitis

 

[Woolless]

Big lambs, sudden deaths suggests pulpy kidney to me. Had one snuff it with that a fortnight after first heptavac. Interesting shout from @Six Dogs too. Pasturella tends to be later on though?

 

[Jim75]

Is there any way to fence of where the pipeline went with electric if the deaths stop then there's your problem id say

Most of it is fenced off but due to the nature of the ground some areas can't be and literally every field has the route through it. We've also drained quite a bit, damned if you do damned if you don't Got the fear now, dread going round them.

Heard initially from the lab today defintley isn't blackleg. Just said similar to last time with a severe case of lesions in the lung. Testing the lung hopefully for a more definite answer.
Had the same guy as last time who is a bit baffled as they are fit lambs. One possibility he thought off it could be tick affecting them @bovine ??

 

[bovine]

I'm not very familiar with tick borne fever but possibly. Should be quite an easy diagnosis in the lab.