25/02/2026
โ ๏ธAre you seeing problems in your flock such as high barren rates, abortions, mummified/ stillborn lambs or weakly lambs who fade and die?... โ ๏ธ
FlockCheck 2026 is now open offering free* testing to identify the most common infectious causes of abortion in the UK.
High abortion rates and lamb losses in late pregnancy are ongoing problems in sheep in the UK, with Enzootic abortion (EAE) and Toxoplasma Gondii (Toxo) being the leading infectious causes.
๐ฆ Enzootic abortion (EAE)๐ฆ
๐Caused by the bacteria Chlamydophila abortus.
๐Can cause abortion storms affecting approx. 30% of ewes.
๐Likely to be a persistent issue on farm due to carrier sheep.
๐High risk of being brought in by replacements
๐Passed from ewe to ewe at lambing time, unvaccinated ewes infected are likely to abort in their next pregnancy.
๐Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect against the disease, with Enzovaxยฎ helping to protect the ewe for at least 3 years. Ewes can be vaccinated from 5 months of age any time between 4 months and at least 4 weeks before tupping. ๐
๐ฆ Toxoplasma Gondii (Toxo)๐ฆ
๐Caused by the parasite Toxoplasma Gondii shed in cat faeces and ingested from contaminated pasture, feed or water, meaning normal biosecurity measures may not be enough.
๐Can cause early embryonic death/ barren ewes, abortion, mummified or stillborn lambs, and weakly lambs.
๐Toxovaxยฎ vaccine protects the ewe for at least 2 lambing seasons, can be given from 5 months of age and between 4 months and at least 3 weeks before lambing.๐
๐Enzovaxยฎ and Toxovaxยฎ can conveniently be given on the same day at different injections sites ๐
For more information, please get in touch on 01643 703649 (Opt 3 for farm).
*Visit charges and blood sampling charged.
