PULPY KIDNEY IN LAMBS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22136, 5 July 1937, Page 11

PULPY KIDNEY IN LAMBS

VACCINATION OF EWES

ARRANGEMENTS UY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Vaccination of in-lamb ewes prior to lambing has been shown to be highly useful in lowering the mortality which occurs in lambs from cntero-toxaemia (pulpy kidney). During two seasons past the Livestock Division of the Department of Agriculture has carried out experimental trials in this connexion in the. Otago district with vaccine prepared at the department's veterinary laboratory at Wallaceville. The results of those trials, together with the reports on vaccination of sheep against entero-toxaemia in Australia, strongly support the view that vaccination can be usefully employed to reduce losses from pulpy kidney in lambs.

Commenting on the matter, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr W. Lee Martin, advises that in anticipation of a number of sheep farmers, who in some seasons lost lambs from pulpy kidney, desiring to take advantage of this line of preventive treatment, arrangements had been made by his department to hold sufficient stocks of the vaccine at the Wallaceville laboratory. The vaccine is that prepared by the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, at Parkville. Victoria, and will be issued to farmers on request at cost price. In using the vaccine two injections are given to the ewes, the first (5 c.c.) six weeks before lambing, and the second (10 c.c.) two weeks before commencement of lambing. In giving the inoculation a 20 c.c. record syringe and suitable needles are required; these requisites can be obtained from commercial firms. The technique of vaccination is not difficult, and sheepowners in districts in which pulpy kidney disease of lambs is common will be shown the procedure by officers of the department. Where desired, demonstrations of the method of vaccination will be given to groups of interested farmers.

With regard to the cost of the vaccine, Mr Lee Martin states that this

would depend on the quantity ordered, but where not less than a few hundred ewes were to be treated the cost would be less than 2d a sheep. This outlay, he said, would appear to be a sound investment if losses in lambs were prevented thereby. The hope is expressed by the Minister that all sheep owners desirous of adopting the preventive vaccination of their ewes would get in touch with the nearest officer of the Live-Stock Division of communicate direct with the Officer-in-Charge, veterinary laboratory, Wallaceville, from whom further particulars could be obtained.