Livestock

Tick-borne Fever in Sheep: Welfare and Control

How Anaplasma phagocytophilum affects sheep welfare and how ticks are managed.

Key Facts

Tick-borne fever is caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum — transmitted by Ixodes ricinus
Causes fever, lethargy, and immunosuppression in sheep
Immunosuppression increases susceptibility to secondary infections including louping ill
Control relies primarily on tick avoidance and acaricidal treatment

Welfare Considerations

Tick-borne fever causes acute welfare compromise and is often underdiagnosed. The immunosuppression it causes significantly increases mortality risk from other diseases. Welfare-focused tick control includes strategic acaricidal treatment before moving sheep onto tick-infested pastures, monitoring of tick burden, and prompt antibiotic treatment of clinical cases.

What You Can Do

Treat sheep with acaricide before moving onto known tick-infested pastures
Monitor sheep closely for signs of fever and lethargy in tick season
Work with your vet to develop a tick management plan for your farm