F102
Campylobacteriosis (Vibriosis)

Causative Agent/Clinical Signs: This disease is caused by the bacteria Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus or C. jejuni. Once infected with the organism, the ewe/doe may have a fever, diarrhea, and vaginal discharge. As the infection develops, inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometritis) occurs and the fetus becomes infected and dies. Most abortions occur in the last 6 weeks of gestation.

Disease Transmission: This disease is most often transmitted when a ewe/doe ingests the organism in contaminated feed or when a ewe/doe is exposed to an aborted fetus or placenta.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis of this disease is usually based on isolating the organism from a tissue or fluid sample. The most reliable source for a sample seems to be the aborted fetus. When a necropsy is performed on an aborted fetus, certain lesions/problems associated with campylobacteriosis can often be identified. These lesions include areas of dying tissue (necrosis) in the liver, evidence of pneumonia, and signs of swelling (edema).

Treatment: Breeding females generally return to normal after aborting and can then be used as breeding stock. Although results vary, abortion outbreaks can potentially be treated with daily intramuscular (IM) injections of procaine penicillin G or by feeding tetracycline (75-300 mg/head/day).

Prevention: Campylobacteriosis can be controlled by vaccinating and boostering all female breeding animals. A killed ovine (sheep) vaccine should be used at breeding time and again 60-90 days later. An annual booster is then required for all breeding animals 2-4 weeks prior to the breeding season. All vaccine protocols should be based on the product and manufacturer recommendations. In general, this infection is NOT caused by the same organism that causes abortions in cattle, and the vaccine for cattle is NOT effective.