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Sheep organisations release advice amidst EAE vaccine shortage
SVS and SAGG say that it is not appropriate to use any routine prophylactic antibiotics to control abortion.
The guidance will support vets and farmers this tupping season.

The Sheep Veterinary Society (SVS) and the Sheep Antibiotic Guardian Group (SAGG) have issued advice for veterinary surgeons and farmers, as they criticise the lack of enzootic abortion (EAE) vaccine.

The advice offers support to veterinary surgeons and farmers, who may now need to make difficult decisions during tupping season.

On encountering an aborting ewe, veterinary surgeons and farmers are first recommended to isolate the ewe from the rest of the flock. Samples can then be taken to identify which abortion agent might be responsible.

SVS and SAGG say that it is not appropriate to use any routine prophylactic antibiotics to control abortion. They say that antibiotics should only be used in late pregnancy if it is to protect other ewes from an outbreak, or used in a group of ewes following a confirmed laboratory EAE diagnosis the preceding year.

Where flocks have previously been regularly vaccinated against EAE, there will this year be a small number of unvaccinated replacement ewes. The risk to these ewes is low if the remainder of the flock is vaccinated, but they should be marked and vaccinated next year when they are not pregnant.

If flocks are at high risk of disease, due to a recent outbreak or EAE-shedding ewes, sheep could be treated with an inactivated vaccine (Inmeva; Hipra).

Two doses are necessary – the first dose at least five weeks before mating, and the second dose three weeks after the first. A further booster may then be needed within a year. The vaccine can be given safely during pregnancy, with efficacy proven in the mid trimester, but it is not recommended in the final month of pregnancy.

Alternatively, if unvaccinated ewes are confirmed by a laboratory to be at high risk of disease, they can be treated with a single injection of oxytetracycline (at 20mg/kg) between day 91 and 126 of pregnancy.

Groups with lambing spread across four to five weeks should be injected exactly three weeks before the first lamb is due.

Veterinary surgeons are advised to contact MSD Animal Health for more information.

Image © Shutterstock

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.