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Sheep farmers urged to vaccinate early against enzootic abortion
"Once we get close to tupping, there is very little we can do if there is a shortfall in vaccine supply at the crucial time." - Fiona Lovatt
Cevac warn of anticipated shortage of enzootic abortion vaccine.

Veterinary surgeons should encourage sheep farmers to vaccinate their flock early in the season to avoid the anticipated shortage of Cevac Chlamydia. The vaccine helps to protect against enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE), which is one of the most common causes of abortion in ewes, and can cost the UK sheep industry up to £20 million each year.

Ceva advises that the EAE vaccine can be administered to ewe lambs from five months of age, and to shearlings (ewes over the age of 12 months) within four months before tupping. The vaccine should be administered at least four weeks before the ram goes in with the ewes.

Ruminant veterinary advisor at Ceva Animal Health Harry Walby said: "We have been advised that there will be stock availability issues later in the year and so we are urging vets to encourage farmers to vaccinate their flocks as early as possible to utilise current provisions of Cevac Chlamydia whilst stocks are available.”

Chlamydophila abortus is a bacterium that causes EAE. It is highly infectious, spreading from sheep to sheep, mainly during lambing time, and can cause ewes to abort or give birth to weak lambs. Sheep that are infected approximately 100 days after pregnancy are unlikely to be affected in that lambing, but the bacterium becomes latent, reactivating in subsequent lambings to cause abortion.

Fiona Lovatt, recognised specialist in sheep health and production, said: “An outbreak of enzootic abortion is devastating - this is a disease for which it is essential to ‘Plan ahead, Prevent disease and Protect the flock’. 

“Once we get close to tupping, there is very little we can do if there is a shortfall in vaccine supply at the crucial time. It would be sensible to be ahead of the game and ensure that first time lambers – whether ewe lambs or shearlings - are vaccinated earlier in the season and while there are stocks available.” 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."