Scabigard is the world’s first tissue cultured scabby mouth vaccine for the control of scabby mouth disease in lambs and sheep, developed in Australia for Australian grazing conditions.
Scabigard is a living vaccine which induces immunity by producing a mild, "controlled" form of the disease at a protected vaccination site (on the inside of the front leg).
Scabigard is grown in a laboratory using cells which are tested free from adventitious agents (including bacterial or viral contaminants).
KEY BENEFITS
Protects lambs and sheep against Scabby mouth disease.
A single scratch will provide more than 12 months protection (natural exposure will extend this).
Vaccination of lambs can be conducted from birth.
No production impact through vaccination.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE
Vaccination of lambs and sheep against scabby mouth where the disease is common.
All lambs should be vaccinated at marking as a routine.
When beginning a vaccination program it is advisable to vaccinate all sheep and lambs.
Vaccinated sheep can act as a source of infection for non-vaccinates.
When lambs are examined one week after vaccination, a line of pustules should be visible along the track of the scratch made on the skin. These lesions indicate successful vaccination and are referred to as ‘takes’.
Susceptible sheep or lambs must 'take' in order to become immunised against scabby mouth.
Failure to 'take' may be due to poor vaccination technique, improper handling of the vaccine resulting in a loss of potency, or because the sheep are already immune.
Revaccination should be considered where a take has not occurred.