🐾 Animal Welfare Hub

Key Facts

• Caused by Mannheimia haemolytica, often triggered by stress and primary viral infections
• Causes sudden death or acute severe respiratory distress in affected sheep
• High fever, labored breathing, and death within 24-48 hours in peracute cases
• Prompt treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories saves lives in acute cases
• Vaccination with Heptavac-P Plus provides effective protection against pasteurellosis

Welfare Considerations

Respiratory pasteurellosis creates acute, severe welfare suffering through the rapid onset of severe pneumonia. Sheep may be found dead without prior visible signs in peracute cases. Those surviving initial crisis experience intense respiratory distress including labored breathing, high fever, and obvious pain. Anti-inflammatory treatment provides welfare relief alongside antibiotic therapy. Prevention through vaccination is straightforward and highly cost-effective from both welfare and economic perspectives. Stress reduction — avoiding mixing, transport, and overcrowding during high-risk periods — reduces the likelihood of disease expression in vaccinated flocks.

What You Can Do

• Vaccinate all sheep with Heptavac-P Plus to protect against pasteurellosis
• Minimize stress during high-risk periods — avoid mixing, transport during cold wet weather
• Monitor flocks closely for sudden deaths or respiratory distress signs
• Act immediately with veterinary treatment when acute respiratory signs are seen
• Ensure good ventilation in housed sheep to reduce respiratory disease risk