Sampling guidelines – Ewe abortion and neonatal lamb deaths
This targeted surveillance program will be using a limited sample set to test for a range of infectious diseases. This is to allow the timely collection of samples by the producer
We suggest a vet or livestock consultant is nominated to also receive your test results to assist with the interpretation of results and control of the disease.
The results from this surveillance will be used to support WA's proof of freedom from significant exotic diseases and to determine the common causes of abortion and lambs losses in WA that are reducing productivity in our ewe flocks. Demonstrating freedom from exotic diseases ensures premium export opportunities for WA sheep farmers.
We are seeking samples from ewe flocks with more than three recorded lamb abortions or neonatal (around the time of lambing) lamb deaths. Only cases where the lamb has not walked (gel still present on the hooves) are suitable for this targeted surveillance.
To ensure samples are representative of flock wide problems, we ask that the samples are collected and frozen when they are found, but are not submitted until three or more samples have been taken from different cases.
Diseases to be tested for include:
- Toxoplasmosis
- Q Fever
- Campylobacteriosis (previously known as vibriosis)
- Salmonellosis
- Listeriosis
- Brucellosis
- Border Disease
- Leptospirosis
- Chlamydophilosis (Enzootic abortion in ewes)
- Brucellosis
Sampling Kit contains:
- One return addressed esky
- One submission formA sampling guide
- Three sample jars, labelled one to three
- 3 pairs of gloves
- 2 ziplock bags (one for the lab submission form and one for the samples)
Appropriate samples are either:
- Cotyledons (buttons) from the placenta of aborted lambs (please collect cotyledons whenever they are available to allow a full set of test to be run), or
- Liver from aborted or stillborn lambs, or weak lambs who died before walking.
Samples must be fresh (less than 12 hours after death when collected).
Sampling Method:
Gloves must be worn when sampling as some of the diseases causing sheep abortions are zoonoses, capable of causing human illness.
Hands and equipment should be washed with soap or detergent after sampling.
From each eligible lamb collect a 50 gram sample of liver and/or a cotyledon (button) from the placenta (after birth).
Keep the sample as clean as possible and avoid contamination with soil or faeces.
Place the samples in a sample jar and freeze - one jar per lamb.
Record the sample jar number (1 to 3) on the submission form.
On the submission form, indicate the "syndrome" as either "Abortion", "Stillbirth" or "Weak and dying lambs" depending on your observations.
Also record the number of cases of each syndrome you have observed in the table.
Freeze the samples before sending, and while collecting further samples.
Fill out the submission form and place it in a sealed ziplock bag by itself: the samples should be sealed in the second ziplock bag.
Samples should be sent to DDLS Animal pathology Department of Agriculture & Food WA, 3 Baron Hay Crt, South Perth in the addressed esky provided, or returned to your local DAFWA office and given to the Field Veterinary Officer.
Send the samples Monday to Wednesday to avoid weekend delays in delivery to DAFWA.
For information about sample collection and submission, contact your local DAFWA Field Veterinary Officer or call the Animal Health Laboratories on +61 (0)8 9368 3351
A neonatal lamb carcass with liver exposed in situ.
Liver removed from lamb carcass and ready to collect a sample
Liver sample in collection jar ready to label and freeze
Important disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it. Copyright © Western Australian Agricultural Authority, 2015