Investigating the efficacy of sheep respiratory vaccines in pre-weaned and weaned lambs

Why is this research important for Alberta ag?

Bacterial pneumonia is the largest cause of mortality in lambs, accounting for approximately 50% of mortalities. Currently, there is no approved commercial vaccine for sheep in North America to reduce losses from bacterial pneumonia. Merck Animal Health has a sheep vaccine in the UK that's a bacterin specifically formulated against two common respiratory pathogens.

Researchers have received approval to import Ovipast Plus®️ Bacterin into Canada to test the efficacy of the vaccine in the following two groups:

1. ewes pre-lambing to boost colostral immunity to reduce bacterial pneumonia in pre-weaned lambs, and;

2. feedlot lambs to reduce bacterial pneumonia during the feeding period.

It's theorized that this vaccine will reduce morbidity, mortality, performance, and carcass losses associated with respiratory disease. VIDO's experimental subunit sheep respiratory vaccine will also be tested.

What benefits can producers expect from this research?

Efficacious respiratory vaccines would benefit Alberta sheep producers by improving sheep health, welfare, and production efficacies, whilst reducing antimicrobial usage and the risk of antimicrobial resistance development.

How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?

Researchers will work with industry partners to communicate research trial results to sheep producers across Alberta and Canada. Tools created to assist sheep industry groups and small ruminant vets will include scientific and lay publications, newsletters and short reports, and website updates.