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Published (Version of Record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Ovine abortion and stillbirth investigations in Australia
Australian Veterinary Journal, Vol.99(3), pp.72-78
2021
Abstract
Fetal loss and lamb mortality between mid‐pregnancy and weaning are important economic and welfare issues for the Australian sheep industry. The aim of this study was to determine common causes of ovine abortion and stillbirths based on submissions to veterinary laboratories and identify factors that impact the determination of an aetiological diagnosis. Data for 529 investigations on abortion or stillbirth between 2000 and 2018 were retrieved from four state veterinary laboratories in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. An aetiological diagnosis was made for 57% of investigations. Investigations that included placental tissue samples were more than twice as likely to have an aetiological diagnosis compared to investigations without placenta (P = 0.017, 95% confidence interval 1.1, 4.5). Of the investigations where an aetiological diagnosis was made, 81% involved infectious abortion, with Campylobacter spp. (32%), Listeria spp. (25%) and Toxoplasma gondii (9%) being the three most common abortigenic pathogens implicated. The remaining 19% of investigations with an aetiological diagnosis included a wide range of infectious and non‐infectious diseases. Diagnoses made varied year to year and between states. No evidence of exotic abortigenic pathogens were reported. Veterinary practitioners can improve the probability of an aetiological diagnosis by emphasising to farmers the importance of collecting any aborted material, especially placenta, and appropriate storage of the tissues until they can be submitted to the laboratory. Some diseases that cause abortion in Australian sheep have zoonotic potential, and veterinary practitioners play an important role in educating clients about appropriate hygiene when handling pregnant and lambing ewes or any aborted material.
Details
- Title
- Ovine abortion and stillbirth investigations in Australia
- Authors/Creators
- T. Clune (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityS. Beetson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityS. Besier (Author/Creator) - Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentG. Knowles (Author/Creator) - Department of Natural Resources and Environment TasmaniaR. Paskin (Author/Creator) - OMNI Animal Health Consultancy, Mount Barker, South Australia, 5251, Australia.G. Rawlin (Author/Creator) - Agriculture VictoriaR. Suter (Author/Creator) - Agriculture VictoriaC. Jacobson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Australian Veterinary Journal, Vol.99(3), pp.72-78
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Veterinary Association
- Identifiers
- 991005541982807891
- Copyright
- © 2020 The Authors
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Animal Production and Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.42 Bacteriology
- 1.42.376 Salmonella and Campylobacter
- Web Of Science research areas
- Veterinary Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science