Lamb vaccination this spring

When vaccinating your lambs this spring against clostridial diseases, there are a few important points to remember for best results.

High risk periods

Tailing is a convenient time to begin a vaccination programme for lambs. Lambs are already yarded and it’s an ideal time to protect them over what is a high-risk period. The heightened risk comes because of the wound creation at tailing which is an ideal environment for the bacteria that causes Tetanus to multiply. Pulpy Kidney risk is also heightened due to the strong lamb growth rates over this period as the lambs begin to eat pasture as well as drink milk. Importance of a complete vaccination programme

Irrespective of when you decide to first vaccinate your lambs against clostridial disease, one of the most important things to the success of your vaccination programme is to ensure lambs receive a complete programme eg two shots—a sensitizer and booster (4–6 weeks later). An annual booster is required yearly thereafter. Anecdotal evidence suggests many farms give just one shot thinking this

will provide their lambs adequate protection, however as shown in the graph, the level of protection from just one shot is significantly reduced and short in duration. The initial two-shot course is necessary for all clostridial vaccines so if you are continuing to experience unexpected lamb deaths after your 5-in-1 programme, first check the full vaccination course was given before considering whether a vaccine with more antigens is required to protect your stock.

Not all vaccines are created equal

Level of borrowed immunity provided by the ewe’s colostrum

Lambs are born without antibodies and are dependent upon antibodies borrowed from their mother’s colostrum to protect them against clostridial diseases until they can develop their own immunity. The level of antibodies present in a lamb at tailing depends on whether the ewe received a clostridial vaccine pre-lamb, how many lambs she delivered and how quickly those lambs drank her colostrum. Furthermore, the amount of antibodies in her colostrum available to her lamb(s) depends on other factors such as vaccine used, weather at the time of lambing, timing of pre-lamb vaccination and ewe condition in late pregnancy. If a full vaccination course has been given and you are still experiencing unexpected deaths you may want to consider upgrading to a clostridial vaccine which offers a wider range of protection. Be aware that while clostridial bacteria are found everywhere in the environment, that the different strains vary in their prevalence and therefore the risk they pose to stock. As a result, it’s not always as simple as the more clostridial antigens the better. Some antigens are arguably more important than others, so ensure you choose a vaccine that is Made in New Zealand and designed specifically for New Zealand conditions.

Supplementation options

For added convenience some vaccines are now boosted with Vitamin B12 or Selenium to ensure your livestock’s essential mineral and clostridial needs are covered. Every farm has unique requirements so when selecting your clostridial vaccine this season choose one that gives you everything you need and nothing you don’t. For more information contact your Ruralco Representative today.

ACVM No’s: A934, A935, A11311, A11766. ScheringPlough Animal Health Ltd. Phone: 0800 800 543. www.msd-animal-health.co.nz NZ-MUL-210700003 ©2021 Intervet International B.V. All Rights Reserved.1 Baron Audit Data, June 2021

THIS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE WAS PROVIDED BY MSD ANIMAL HEALTH