Vaccines Commonly Used in Sheep

Fred M. Hopkins, DVM, MS
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Tennessee

Foot Rot Vaccines

Footvax 10 Strain

        A killed vaccine made from Bacteriodes nodosus, one of the 2 bacteria involved in foot rot in sheep. Used as an aid in prevention and treatment.

Primary vaccination - 1 ml given under the skin in the half the neck nearest the head. A second vaccination should be given 6 weeks to 6 months after the first.

Booster vaccination - Immunity usually lasts longer than 4 months. Annual vaccination should be given twice a year. Supplied in 50 and 100 dose vials ($2.00).

Volar

        A killed vaccine made from Fusobacterium necrophorum, one of the 2 bacteria involved in foot rot in sheep. Used as an aid in prevention and treatment of foot rot in sheep.

Primary vaccination - 3 ml I/M or S/Q in the neck area. Repeat in 3 to 4 weeks.

Booster vaccination - a single dose given annually.

Supplied as 16 to 83 dose bottles ($1.50).

Abortion Vaccines

Enzabort EAE-Vibrio.

        A killed vaccine made up of Campylobacter and Chlamydia, 2 bacteria associated with abortion in ewes. Used as an aid in the control of abortion in ewes.

Primary vaccination - 2 ml given S/Q on the top of the neck about 4 inches from the ear. Repeat in 30 days. The first dose should be given at least 60 days before the breeding season.

Booster vaccination should be given annually. Supplied as 10 and 50 dose vial.

Campylobacter fetus bacterin-ovine.

        A killed vaccine made up of Campylobacter fetus, a bacteria associated with abortion in ewes. Used as an aid in the control of abortion in ewes due to Campylobacter fetus.

Primary vaccination - give 5 ml S/Q behind the elbow 30 days before the beginning of the breeding season.. Repeat in 60-90 days.

Booster vaccination - repeat a single vaccination annually. Supplied in 10 dose and 50 dose vials ($0.75).

Chlamydia psittaci bacterin.

        A killed vaccine made of Chlamydia psittaci, a bacteria causing abortion in ewes. Used as an aid in the control of enzootic abortion in ewes.

Primary vaccination - give 2 ml S/Q on the top of the neck about 4 inches behind the ear. Repeat in 30 days. The first dose should be given at least 60 days before the beginning of the breeding season.

Booster vaccinations - repeat a single vaccination annually. Supplied in 10 and 50 dose vials ($1.00).

Leptospirosis vaccines.

        Not cleared for sheep but used when blood tests indicate problems. Follow cattle directions. Give before breeding.

Overeating and Tetanus Vaccines

Covexin 8 vaccine

        A killed vaccine made up of a number of bacteria of the genus clostridium, which is associated with overeating disease and tetanus in sheep. Used to prevent overeating disease and tetanus in sheep.

Primary immunization - in lambs give 5 ml S/Q at 10-12 weeks of age. Give a 2 ml dose 6 weeks later. In ewes give 5 ml S/Q 4 to 12 weeks before lambing begins. Give a 2 ml dose 2 to 6 weeks later.

Booster vaccination - give a single 2 ml dose S/Q annually 4 to 6 weeks before lambing season. Supplied in 10 and 20 dose vials ($0.75).

Bar-Vac CD/T

Clostridium perfringens types C and D/tetanus toxoid

Fermicon CD/T

Vision CD/T with Spur

        These vaccines are made of bacteria associated with overeating disease and tetanus. Used to prevent enterotoxemia and tetanus in healthy sheep.

Primary immunization - lambs - give 2 ml S/Q at weaning. Repeat in 3 to 4 weeks. Ewes - give 2 ml S/Q 6 to 8 weeks before lambing season. Repeat in 3 to 4 weeks.

Booster immunization - rams - give single booster dose annually. Ewes - give sample booster dose 4 to 6 weeks prior to the beginning of lambing season. Supplied in 10, 25, 50, 125 vials ($0.50).

Dewormers Commonly Used in Sheep

Levamasoles

Drench powders

*Tramisole soluble drench powder (sheep)

*Tramisol drench powder.

Levasole soluble drench powder.

Levasole drench powder (sheep).

Prohibit soluble drench powder

Boluses

Levasole sheep wormer boluses ($0.40).

Tramisol sheep wormer tablet

Ivermectins

Ivomec sheep drench ($0.80)

Benzimidazoles (not cleared for sheep) ($0.40)

Safeguard suspension (cattle dose)

Synanthic (cattle dose)

Valbazen (cattle dose)

Pyrantels (not cleared for sheep)

Strongid (cattle dose)