Tasmanian Livestock Health Report – August 2024

The Tasmanian Livestock Health Report summarises information on livestock diseases and conditions observed by rural service providers across Tasmania. 

See Animal Health Australia for previous reports and to register for a free email subscription.

Funding is provided by Animal Health Australia (with support from Sheep Producers Australia 
and WoolProducers Australia) and by NRE. 

Seasonal Disease Alerts

Arthritis in lambs: If you have more than the odd case it may be worth asking your vet about testing for Erysipelas. There is a vaccine for Erysipelas.

Campylobacter, Listeria and Toxoplasmosis abortion in sheep: Many flocks will have 
finished lambing, but if lamb marking figures are less than 90% for singles or less than 170% for twin mobs, and exposure losses are not to blame, blood tests on dry ewes at marking or weaning can detect Campylobacter and Toxoplasmosis antibodies as evidence of recent infection.

Black scour worms: high egg counts are being seen. Monthly worm egg counts on weaner 
sheep are recommended.

Bloat: has been seen on lambs on lucerne on misty overcast days.

Body lice: in sheep are still common. Now is a good time to inspect.

Brown stomach worm: resistance to macrocyclic lactone (ML) drench family is common. Could become more dominant with warmer, dryer weather.

Drench resistance: resistance to white, clear and macrocyclic drenches is relatively common 
and any other drench can also fail. 

Footrot and scald: are actively spreading now. 

Grass tetany: cows from 1 week before, to 4 weeks after calving that are on short green grass especially if fertilised with potash and/or nitrogen. Cows that are overweight and taken off feed for handling are particularly at risk. Prevent by feeding Causmag on hay.

Hypocalcaemia (milk fever) in ewes: can be seen in ewes during lactation, especially on lush cereal, short rotation ryegrass or lush pasture – feed some hay and/or a calcium/magnesium/salt dry lick. Have calcium injection on hand.

Johne’s Disease (JD) in cattle: will also show up now in stressed cows.

Listeria: nervous signs and deaths in sheep and cattle on silage, brassica bulbs or pasture.

Liver fluke: Eggs can be present in Fluketests now, but blood tests are the best way to detect in live animals. This is a good time of year to kill adult fluke. Consider a flukicide other than 
triclabendazole.

Lucerne red gut: seen as sudden death with a very bloated carcase on lucerne or clover. 
Offering roughage such as hay, straw or alternating between pasture and the lucerne/clover can help prevent cases. 

Milk fever: can be seen in lactating dairy cows, especially older Channel Island breeds.

Phalaris staggers: cases can show up for a number of weeks after removal from toxic pasture. 

Pneumonia: has been common this year in ewes and lambs. Seen as depressed downers, don’t always have a nasal discharge.

Pleurisy: is common, slowing prime lamb growth rates and resulting in trimming at the abattoir. 

Check MLA’s myFeedback to see if there is any data on your flock.

Pulpy kidney (PK): Make sure lambs get a booster if going onto rich feed such as clover or 
lucerne. Vaccinating ewes protects their lambs up to marking, 3-in-1 is cheaper than 5- or 6-in-1 and gives same PK immunity.

Toe abscess: can be a problem if sheep’s feet are continually wet and not trimmed recently.

Weaned lamb scours: If lambs are scouring and worm egg counts are zero or very low then 
coccidia, Yersinia or Campylobacter gut infection could be involved; consult with your vet on best options for diagnosis and treatment.

Chorioptic mange in cattle: is active now but usually self-cure as the weather warms up. 

Ovine Johne’s disease (OJD): ls showing up in 6-tooths and older sheep under stress.

White muscle disease: If lambs get stiff and stop walking when mustered for marking, suspect white muscle disease.