Pasture change could trigger sudden death (From Western Telegraph)

Pasture change could trigger sudden death

A disease responsible for sudden deaths in Pembrokeshire lamb flocks could be triggered by movement to better grazing land.

According to the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS), outbreaks of systemic pasteurellosis often followed movement of lambs onto rape, turnips or improved pastures.

Wet and cold weather has also been implicated, said NADIS vet, Mike Howe, who is based in Pembrokeshire.

"Systemic pasteurellosis is the most commonly diagnosed cause of sudden death in store lambs between October and December," said Mr Howe.

"Mortality rates of 20% have been reported, but losses of about 2% are more commonplace.''

A report written for NADIS by vet Neil Sargison, suggests that whole flock treatment with a single injection of long-acting antibiotic may help to prevent further losses.

But he warns that the stress of gathering and injecting lambs can, in itself, cause some deaths.

"It is therefore impossible to determine the effectiveness of this strategy and the decision to treat or not is based on individual flock circumstances,'' he said.

Prevention of systemic pasteurellosis is also problematic, suggested Mike Howe.

"Avoidance of nutritional stress and wet weather conditions, which predispose of the disease, is difficult and pasteurella vaccines only afford variable short-lasting protection.''

* Research by the National Animal Disease Information Service, a network of veterinary practices and colleges monitoring diseases in the UK livestock industry, is sponsored by the Milk Development Council, the Meat and Livestock Commission, Elanco Animal Health and Intervet.