Livestock

Clostridial Disease Welfare in Sheep: Vaccination and Prevention

Clostridial diseases including pulpy kidney, braxy, black disease and tetanus cause sudden death in sheep with little prior welfare warning. Vaccination is highly effective and essential.

Key Facts

Clostridial diseases cause acute death with minimal clinical signs in most cases
The Heptavac-P vaccine protects against 7 clostridial diseases and pasteurellosis
Lambs require a primary course and booster — timing relative to colostrum intake affects protection
Ewes vaccinated in late pregnancy pass protection via colostrum to lambs
Pulpy kidney (overeating disease) is most common in fast-growing lambs on lush pasture

Welfare Considerations

The welfare impact of clostridial disease is severe but brief — affected animals typically die within hours of the first clinical signs. The primary welfare intervention is prevention through vaccination, as treatment is rarely possible in time. Well-managed vaccination programmes essentially eliminate clostridial disease from treated flocks. The failure to vaccinate represents a preventable welfare risk across UK sheep farming.

What You Can Do

Implement Heptavac-P vaccination for all ewes and lambs in your flock
Ensure correct timing of booster doses relative to lambing and colostrum quality
Consult your vet on vaccination protocols if using different products
Maintain cold chain for vaccine storage to ensure efficacy
Support AHDB sheep health guidance on clostridial disease prevention