Intervet/Schering-Plough offers guidance on ewe abortion

Intervet/Schering-Plough has issued guidance to livestock owners on the health issues related to abortion among ewes.

Mairead O'Grady, a veterinary surgeon for the animal health company, recently addressed attendees on the subject at a farming industry event taking place in County Mayo, Ireland, reports Meat Trade News Daily.

She stated that a proportion of barren ewes or abortions above two per cent – or if four or more ewes abort over two to three days – should be taken as an indication to investigate a possible infection.

The Intervet/Schering-Plough representative suggested that enzootic abortion or toxoplasma can often be the cause of lamb loss, as well as highlighting its potential risk to humans.

She therefore stated that vaccination via treatment such as Enzovax is the best course of action, as this "prevents infection in clean ewes, reduces abortion in infected ewes and minimises shedding".

Intervet/Schering-Plough will be merging with Merial in the coming months to form a new company called Merial-Intervet.