Vaccinations for Small Ruminants (sheep & goats)
What is a vaccine? A vaccine is a manufactured compound that is designed to help animals fight against
particular diseases caused by specific bacteria and viruses. It contains materials called antigens that stimulate the
body's defenses to produce either antibodies or activated cells that in turn modify or inactivate the agents of
disease.
Vaccines may contain live viruses (though these are modified to reduce their potential harmful effects), killed
viruses, or inactivated bacterial cultures or toxoids.
Most vaccines are administered by under-the-skin (subcutaneous) injections. A few are
administered intramuscularly, and occasionally some are given topically) or intranasal.
Why vaccinate? Vaccines provide animals with protection against serious infectious
diseases or toxins.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of treatment”
Vaccinations in addition to providing good nutrition, ample clean water, clean housing,
ventilation, good hygiene and reducing animal stress will keep animals healthy and aid
them in fighting off diseases.
CDT - 3 way vaccine that protects against Clostridium perfringens type C and D and Clostridium tetani
(tetanus).This is the core vaccine for sheep and goats. Dosage – 2cc
Types C and D are the culprits of enterotoxemia.
Enterotoxemia type C, also called hemorrhagic enteritis or "bloody scours," mostly affects lambs and kids during
their first few weeks of life, causing a bloody infection of the small intestine. It is often related to indigestion and is
predisposed by a change in feed. Its can be found around the farm in manure and soil.
Enterotoxemia type D, also called "pulpy kidney disease," usually affects lambs and kids over one month of age,
generally the largest, fastest growing lambs/kids in the flock. It is precipitated by a sudden change in feed that
causes the organism, which is already present in the young animal's gut to proliferate, resulting in a toxic reaction.
Type D is most commonly observed in animals that are consuming high concentrate diets, but can also occur in
lambs/kids nursing heavy milking dams.
When it comes to tetanus, wounds and lacerations are a conduit for the deadly bacteria to infect the body with
deadly toxins. While puncture wounds incurred from in and around facilities are one way tetanus can infect the
animal, surgical procedures like castration, docking and dehorning can also present a risk.
Recommendations



Vaccinate animals in their last month of pregnancy
o First time moms – give 2 cc 4-6 weeks prior.to lambing
 = maximizes antibodies in colostrum
Young animals should be vaccinated at 4-6 weeks of age & another booster 4 weeks later
Breeding rams and bucks – vaccinate one month prior to breeding
Rabies
Though the risk to sheep and goats is usually minimal, rabies vaccination may be considered if the flock is located
in a rabies-infected area and livestock have access to wooded areas or areas frequented by raccoons, skunks,
foxes, or other known carriers of rabies. Frequent interaction with livestock may be another reason to consider
vaccinating.