Article Index | "Chlamydia" | Article Index |
Your support of our advertisers helps support GoatWorld! |
|
CHLAMYDIA
By: N.C. Palmer, Vet Lab Services, Guelph |
|
Introduction Abortion due to chlamydiae was first described in 1950 from Scotland where it is known as "enzootic abortion of ewes". It was reported in the U.S. in 1958 and in Alberta in 1976. The first Ontario cases were diagnosed in 1977 and many infected sheep flocks have now been identified. The disease also occurs in goats in Ontario. Information about chlamydia infections in sheep probably is applicable to goats.
Signs of the Disease
Transmission of the Disease
Diagnosis
Control and Treatment Control measures are, therefore, based on accurate diagnosis and good hygiene such as isolation of aborting ewes and cleanup of infected pens. Quaternary ammonium compounds are satisfactory disinfectants. It is well recognized that crowding at lambing time increases the risk of abortion in the same or subsequent lambing season. Chlamydiae are susceptible to chlortetracycline. It is said to prevent abortion when administered at the rate of 80 mg/head/day during pregnancy. In the face of an outbreak 250 mg/head/day for 3 weeks has been recommended, and appears to be effective. A vaccine1 is available and generally is considered to be effective in sheep2. In Britain it is used in flocks with recurrent chlamydia abortion. Chlamydia does not appear to cause abortions in consecutive years in Ontario flocks, but there is limited information on this subject. If abortions do occur in consecutive years, a new diagnosis must be made since Coxiella, "vibrio", Toxoplasma, or some other agent could be responsible. 1 "Ovine Enzootic Abortion" vaccine, Wellcome: Burroughs Wellcome Inc., CP 500, Lachine, Que’. H8S 4B1 2 The information regarding the vaccine is included for the convenience of livestock owners and their veterinarians. Inclusion of this information is not an endorsement of the product by the Veterinary Laboratory Services Branch. |
About the author: This Factsheet was authored by: N.C. Palmer, Veterinary Laboratory Services Branch, Guelph For more information contact: Your local Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs office. |
Email: Contact INFO Telephone: Contact INFO |
Designed & Hosted by: JOLLY GERMAN ©1999-2024 GoatWorld.Com |
|
All written, audio, video and graphic material contained within this site, except where otherwise noted, is Copyright ©1999-2024. Some content may also be the property of contributors to the site, in which case their material is also protected by applicable copyright laws and this copyright policy. No material may be linked directly to or reproduced in any form without written permission. If you would like to reprint something from our site, simply send us an email to request permission to do so. Please refer to our REPRINT criteria. This site is run and operated by a Disabled Veteran |