Rate of passive immunization via colostrum in lambs born to ewes vaccinated with two commercial vaccines for preventing enterotoxaemia

Rate of passive immunization via colostrum in lambs born to ewes vaccinated with two commercial vaccines for preventing enterotoxaemia

Haemorrhagic enterotoxaemia caused by Cl. perfringens type C is a common disease in raising lambs and the main cause of economic losses during the first few weeks of life. It has been shown that vaccination of newborn lambs is not very effective in conferring protection and seroconversion produced is minimal. However, the transfer of antibodies via colostrum seems to be protective and detectable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of passive immunization via colostrum from animals vaccinated with 2 commercial vaccines for preventing enterotoxaemia using a vaccination and revaccination schedule of ewes ante partum, compared with a control group.