Difference between revisions of "Toxoplasmosis - Sheep"
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{{unfinished}} | {{unfinished}} | ||
| + | ==Description== | ||
*Sheep | *Sheep | ||
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**Infection during the second trimester leads to foetal death and mummification | **Infection during the second trimester leads to foetal death and mummification | ||
**Infection during the last trimester leads to a weak or stillborn lamb | **Infection during the last trimester leads to a weak or stillborn lamb | ||
| − | + | ==Signalment== | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ==Diagnosis== | |
| + | |||
| + | ===Clinical Signs=== | ||
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*Clinical outbreaks of toxoplasmosis are '''sporadic''' | *Clinical outbreaks of toxoplasmosis are '''sporadic''' | ||
**Immunity is acquired before tupping | **Immunity is acquired before tupping | ||
**Significant ill-effects are unlikely if immune ewes are infected during pregnancy | **Significant ill-effects are unlikely if immune ewes are infected during pregnancy | ||
**Not shed from sheep to sheep so predicting outbreaks is difficult | **Not shed from sheep to sheep so predicting outbreaks is difficult | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ===Laboratory Tests=== | |
| + | |||
| + | ===Pathology=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Aborted ewes show focal necrotic placentitis with white lesions in the cotyledons and foetal tissue | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Treatment== | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Toxovax vaccine | ||
***Live, avirulent strain of ''Toxoplasma'' | ***Live, avirulent strain of ''Toxoplasma'' | ||
***Does not form bradyzoites or tissue cysts | ***Does not form bradyzoites or tissue cysts | ||
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***14 weeks before lambing | ***14 weeks before lambing | ||
**The best method of protection is to prevent cats from contaminating the pasture, lambing sheds and feed stores | **The best method of protection is to prevent cats from contaminating the pasture, lambing sheds and feed stores | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Prognosis== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Links== | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
[[Category:Tissue_Cyst_Forming_Coccidia]][[Category:Sheep]] | [[Category:Tissue_Cyst_Forming_Coccidia]][[Category:Sheep]] | ||
[[Category:To_Do_-_Lizzie]] | [[Category:To_Do_-_Lizzie]] | ||
Revision as of 13:48, 13 August 2010
 |
This article is still under construction. |
Description
- Sheep
- Mostly asymptomatic
- However, if a non-immune ewe is infected during pregnancy the consequences will be serious
- Infection during the first trimester leads to resorption
- Infection during the second trimester leads to foetal death and mummification
- Infection during the last trimester leads to a weak or stillborn lamb
Signalment
Diagnosis
Clinical Signs
- Clinical outbreaks of toxoplasmosis are sporadic
- Immunity is acquired before tupping
- Significant ill-effects are unlikely if immune ewes are infected during pregnancy
- Not shed from sheep to sheep so predicting outbreaks is difficult
Laboratory Tests
Pathology
Aborted ewes show focal necrotic placentitis with white lesions in the cotyledons and foetal tissue
Treatment
- Toxovax vaccine
- Live, avirulent strain of Toxoplasma
- Does not form bradyzoites or tissue cysts
- Killed by host immune system
- Single dose given 6 weeks before tupping
- Protects for 2 years
- Immunity boosted by natural challenge
- Medicated feed can be given daily during the main risk period
- 14 weeks before lambing
- The best method of protection is to prevent cats from contaminating the pasture, lambing sheds and feed stores