Scabivax Forte 50 dose – Scabivax Orf
PLEASE NOTE: A prescription issued by a UK registered vet (MRCVS) is required before this item can be dispatched.
Product Description
For the active immunisation of sheep and lambs against Orf to reduce clinical signs and/or lesions of the disease.
Immunity develops within 4-8 weeks of vaccination and is protective against severe signs of contagious pustular dermatitis for at least 12 months.
The vaccine is capable of causing a skin infection in humans so should not be used by immuno-suppressed individuals.
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Orf is a continuous threat – an outbreak can be significant in terms of health, welfare and productivity.
• Lambs benefit when ewes are vaccinated as well as the lambs1
• Orf-affected lambs are on average 2.2kg lighter than unaffected lambs2
Preventing orf
If you have previously seen orf on your farm:
• Reduce outbreaks by vaccination with Scabivax Forte.
• Ewes should be vaccinated NOT LESS THAN 7 WEEKS before lambing and moving to lambing areas.
• Lambs can be vaccinated from one day old.
• The orf virus requires very minor abrasions to the skin to enter and cause disease, so good pasture management
is essential: removal of thistles, brambles and nettles.
• If you spot any cases of orf, isolate the animals to help prevent the spread of infection.
• Bought-in stock should be quarantined and checked for any signs of the disease.
• Maintain a disease-free status by only buying from known orf-free farms.
Understanding orf
• Caused by a parapox virus, orf is highly contagious and can affect sheep of all ages.
• Characterised by scabby lesions around the nostrils and mouth.
• It can spread to other parts of the body, such as teats, feet and tail.
• Orf is a zoonosis – people handling infected sheep, wool or skins can catch orf.
• The virus can survive in cool, dry conditions and may remain in lambing sheds for many years.
The impact of orf
• Orf lesions in ewes are usually found on the udder and teats.
• The discomfort often means that the ewe will not allow lambs to suckle.
• A major consequence for the ewe may be acute and costly mastitis.
• Orf in young suckling lambs often prevents feeding.
• Lambs suffering from orf can die, usually from a combination of dehydration and starvation.
• Post-weaning lambs are also susceptible to orf, particularly in areas of rough grazing.
• Older lambs may not die from orf, but may suffer from secondary bacterial infections.
Dosage & Administration
The dose of vaccine is 0.02 ml administered by skin scarification.
This vaccine must be administered to sheep and lambs using an applicator, such as the Scabivax Forte Applicator, that dispenses a 0.02 ml dose of Scabivax Orf vaccine and prevents back flush.
Ewes:
- Pregnant ewes should be vaccinated behind the elbow or in the axilla (i.e., between the top of the foreleg and the chest wall), to prevent infection of the udder and subsequent transmission to lambs.
- Vaccinate ewes 7-8 weeks before lambing.
- Do not vaccinate ewes less than 7 weeks before lambing.
- Ewes with unvaccinated lambs at foot are best to have their vaccination delayed until the lambs are weaned, except in case of emergency.
- Vaccinate these ewes as for pregnant ewes.
Lambs:
- Lambs may be vaccinated at any time from birth.
- Young (ie. unweaned) lambs should be vaccinated in the axilla.
Scabivax Orf
Withdrawals
Zero days
