Prevalence and on-farm risk factors for diarrhoea in meat lamb flocks in Western Australia

J.P.A. Sweeny; U.M. Ryan; I.D. Robertson; C. Jacobson

doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.06.042

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Prevalence and on-farm risk factors for diarrhoea in meat lamb flocks in Western Australia

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Prevalence and on-farm risk factors for diarrhoea in meat lamb flocks in Western Australia

J.P.A. Sweeny, U.M. Ryan, I.D. Robertson and C. Jacobson

The Veterinary Journal, Vol.192(3), pp.503-510

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.06.042

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Abstract

Diarrhoea is a widespread problem for sheep enterprises worldwide. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted using a questionnaire to determine the prevalence of diarrhoea and associated risk factors where there was evidence of recent diarrhoea (active diarrhoea or fresh faecal soiling of breech fleece) for meat lambs on farms in southern Western Australia during 2010. The response rate was 41.4% (139/336). Evidence of recent diarrhoea was reported on 64.8% of farms, with a mean of 6.9% lambs affected per farm. Location of a farm and a higher annual rainfall were associated with an increased diarrhoea prevalence. Binary logistic regression analysis suggested that the drinking water source was associated with the incidence of diarrhoea, since lamb flocks supplied with dam water were 117 times (95% CI: 18.2, 754.8) more likely to have observed diarrhoea or fresh breech fleece faecal soiling than lamb flocks supplied with other sources of water. Faecal worm egg counts were used by 65% of respondents to determine whether an anthelmintic treatment was warranted and 74% of respondents administered a treatment to their meat lambs. In response to a range of diarrhoea scenarios presented to respondents (5%, 25% and 50% of the flock with evidence of recent diarrhoea), 15.1% would have elected to administer an anthelmintic treatment regardless of differences in prevalence.

Details

Title: Prevalence and on-farm risk factors for diarrhoea in meat lamb flocks in Western Australia
Authors/Creators: J.P.A. Sweeny (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
U.M. Ryan (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
I.D. Robertson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
C. Jacobson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
Publication Details: The Veterinary Journal, Vol.192(3), pp.503-510
Publisher: Balliere Tindall
Identifiers: 991005542854007891
Copyright: © 2011 Elsevier Ltd
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.163 Parasitology - General; 1.163.1022 Anthelmintic Resistance
Web Of Science research areas: Veterinary Sciences
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science