Ovine Brucellosis

Bisected testicle form B. ovis ram showing grossly enlarged epididymis with fibrous tissue bands.

Introduction

This is a disease in sheep caused by either Brucella melitensis or Brucella ovis. B. mellitensis also causes disease in goats, but B. ovis affects only sheep. It is a disease that causes abortion, stillbirths and the birth of weak lambs and is prevalent in Eurpoe, America and Australia.

Clinical Signs

B. mellitensis is more severe in goats than sheep. Late abortion, still births or births of weak lambs are seen. With B. ovis, clinical signs in ewes are rarely seen and abortions, stillbirths and weak lambs are rare. Signs are seen mainly in rams and include epididymitis and orchitis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is by complement fixation, culture of organism or demonstration of the organism in tissue.

Control

Test and slaughter is applied where the disease is exotic.