As more and more high quality grasses, crops and legumes are planted, pulpy kidney is becoming more prevalent in lambs grazing these pastures. What should be done to control the problem?
- Correct vaccination of ewes pre lamb and good colostrum intake should protect lambs for the first 10—12 weeks of their lives.
- After 12 weeks if PK is a threat, lambs need to be vaccinated with 5 in 1 (this normally coincides with weaning but vaccination can be carried out at a pre-weaning drench if it suits).
- Try to avoid vaccinating lambs that are likely to be killed in the next 10—14 days.
- Always ensure the vaccination is administered high up on the neck or vaccination lesions may be a problem at slaughter plants especially for animals killed close to vaccination.
- Early vaccination of ewe lambs will act as the sensitiser vaccination. Further vaccination is not required until pre-lamb either as hoggets’ or as 2-2ths.
NB: These high quality feeds may also pose a threat to cattle so having a vaccination programme in place for cattle should also be considered.