Clostridial diseases in sheep

RE: Clostridial diseases in sheep

Julian Earl — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 11:37:31 GMT

I think that the bottom-line is that when fully vaccinated for Clostridial diseases, the protetion is effectively absolute and guaranteed! Regardless of the soil type? Th vaccines are very, very cheap per animal so follow the dosage instructionsand prothe sheep should be safe on any type of soil! N.B. that, Most of the Clostridia are intra-intestinal anyway so they are difficult if not impossible to avoid completely by changing their graazing!

HTH??

AND hAPPY

RE: Clostridial diseases in sheep

Julian Earl — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 11:34:53 GMT

Also, the vaccines are so very effective on any pasture that it is unquestionabletheyshould be used routinely in any flock/group of pet sheep . Especially being so cheap per dose!

N.B. That most Clostridia are happy being intra-intestinal in sheep so changing the pasture will not recessarily reduce their bacterial- challenge? I hope tis helps!

Happy New Year to everyone!!

RE: Clostridial diseases in sheep

Julian Earl — Fri, 19 Mar 2021 16:20:06 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/farm-animal/f/discussions/29723/clostridial-diseases-in-sheep/229035#229035"]Iain Richards Can't seem to tag Julian[/quote]

Hello Michael, and/or Iain...You called? I have not seen that many Clostridial cases in sheep, except for tetanus in which case they look like a horse! Rigid legs, the eyes open and staring, very unsteady if they do manage to move. I was firmly convinced that Blackleg for example could be pinpointed to specific fields on a farm and fortunately it never seemed to be a difficult diagnosis in cattle or sheep? Very occasionally = rarely, our own laboratory in Horncastle would diagnose Lamb Dysentery though I confess to being a little sceptical of their diagnosis! Sorry HL, no offence meant , really!

How the field specificity might relate to your discussion about soil-type I do not know. Sorry! Except of course, different fields could easily have differing soil beneath the surface but I doubt this has been investigated?!

RE: Clostridial diseases in sheep

Iain Richards — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 12:25:10 GMT

I also feel that clostridia are likely to be in the O or A horizons of the soil - the organic layers so this clay layer may be less of an issue .

RE: Clostridial diseases in sheep

Jill Butterworth — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 11:09:08 GMT

That's great, thank you. It seems to me that both risks have to be present, ie the organism, plus some other risk factor, so vaccination is key.

RE: Clostridial diseases in sheep

Iain Richards — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 17:49:53 GMT

I agree with MIchael. But I'll have a think. I can't see a specific risk with exposing a clay layer, abd sheep probably take in as much soil by grazing.

RE: Clostridial diseases in sheep

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 16:09:21 GMT

I was leaving this for a sheep vet, but happy to chip in.

A responsible shepherd will have their sheep vaccinated for clostridial disease. The vaccines are affordable and effective. I think the responsible thing is to mention it to the owner of the animals and let them decide whether they want to graze the pasture and how significant they feel the risk is. Sheep are constantly exposed to earth workings from trenching, ditch work, drainage and problems are rare. Black leg associated with specific fields whether digging or not.

I'd happily graze my own sheep in such a field (if I had any).

Iain Richards Can't seem to tag Julian