We have received some queries regarding the death of good lambs on high quality feeds such as clover dominant new grass, plantain or chicory. Where the sudden death of good lambs occur, pulpy kidney or on occasions other clostridial diseases, are a probable cause.
Some of the deaths reported occurred in lambs where ewes were not vaccinated at the correct time before lambing (2-4 weeks). This is likely to have resulted in poor levels of protective antibodies being passed to the lamb in colostrum.
Where correct vaccination programmes are carried out and good colostrum intake occurs lambs should be protected from pulpy kidney for the first 10-12 weeks of life. If lambs are likely to graze high quality feeds after this time vaccinating lambs can be a good management option. 5 in 1 vaccination should be sufficient but on occasions 6 in 1, or 10 in 1 clostridial vaccines may be a better option.
Quarantine Drenching
If purchasing trade lambs and finishing lambs, on high quality feeds, vaccination at arrival is a good protocol to consider. Vaccination should be carried out carefully high up on the neck to avoid problems with vaccination lesions at slaughter.
Where lambs are to be farmed for a short term (less than 3 weeks) before slaughter, vaccination should be avoided to prevent problems with lesions.
Contact the clinic for advice on vaccination protocols.
Don’t assume deaths are always necessarily due to pulpy kidney! We have also seen deaths associated with:
Leptospirosis infections
Pneumonia
Poisoning