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| | <big>'''[[Toxoplasmosis - Cat|Cat Toxoplasmosis]] | | <big>'''[[Toxoplasmosis - Cat|Cat Toxoplasmosis]] |
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| | + | '''[[Toxoplasmosis - Sheep|Sheep Toxoplasmosis]] |
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| − | *Sheep
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| − | **Mostly asymptomatic
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| − | **However, if a non-immune ewe is infected during pregnancy the consequences will be serious
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| − | ***Infection during the first trimester leads to resorption
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| − | **Infection during the second trimester leads to foetal death and mummification
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| − | **Infection during the last trimester leads to a weak or stillborn lamb
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| − | **Aborted ewes show focal necrotic placentitis with white lesions in the cotyledons and foetal tissue
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| − | **Diagnosis is confirmed by Giemsa and serology of the ewe's blood
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| − | Prevention:
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| − | *Clinical outbreaks of toxoplasmosis are '''sporadic'''
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| − | **Immunity is acquired before tupping
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| − | **Significant ill-effects are unlikely if immune ewes are infected during pregnancy
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| − | **Not shed from sheep to sheep so predicting outbreaks is difficult
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| − | *Sheep
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| − | **Toxovax vaccine
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| − | ***Live, avirulent strain of ''Toxoplasma''
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| − | ***Does not form bradyzoites or tissue cysts
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| − | ***Killed by host immune system
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| − | ***Single dose given 6 weeks before tupping
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| − | ***Protects for 2 years
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| − | ***Immunity boosted by natural challenge
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| − | **Medicated feed can be given daily during the main risk period
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| − | ***14 weeks before lambing
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| − | **The best method of protection is to prevent cats from contaminating the pasture, lambing sheds and feed stores
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