I will cover sheep and goats. They are very similar but will point out some of the minute differences.
First rule, don’t feed on the ground, these are ingested infections, not venereal.
Toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis of cats when ingested by non-immune pregnant females they will likely abort. There are no vaccines available in this country. It can be prevented by feeding 15mg Rumensin per head per day, which is approved in goats, but off label in sheep. Two pounds of 6% Deccox to 50 pounds of loose salt free choice is another option. I don’t advise getting rid of cats as animals exposed in a non-pregnant condition will develop immunity with no clinical symptoms. Fecal material from kittens is most likely to infect. I make a purpose on my farm to feed any feed suspected of contamination to non-pregnant animals. I have a lot of cats and haven’t had a problem.
Vibrio abortion, Campylobacter, is best controlled by vaccination. The Hygeia product is the most effective as it contains the most recent isolates that were tetracycline resistant. Unvaccinated ewes need injections 30 days prior to breeding and again at mid gestation. Previously vaccinated ewes only need to be vaccinated once at mid gestation. For those of you that didn’t get the vaccination done prior to breeding I would suggest two injections three weeks apart mid gestation. Tetracycline crumbles and AS700 have been shown to be effective in prevention and abortion outbreaks. Success varies depending on susceptibility of Campylobacter organism involved. After January 1st, (unless changes are made) the new VFD rules prevent effective use of these two products in sheep and goats. Vibrio infections in goats are unlikely. In a severe outbreak, I would suggest Nuflor injections at two-week intervals. Sulfa in drinking water for five days every two weeks may be an option. Sulfa drugs also require a prescription Jan 1st, 2017.
Chlamydia abortions commonly occur in sheep and goats. The Chlamydia that causes abortion is not the species that infects the eye. Feeding tetracycline is an excellent prevention and in the past I have suggested pulse feeding, 800mg per day for five days every two weeks versus 300mg per head daily. More effective and less total drug used. Unfortunately, if VFD rule isn’t amended product for this use will not be available Jan 1. Injection of LA200 every two weeks has helped. Vaccination can be accomplished but needs to be done 30 and 60 days prior to breeding. A disease is more common in far west versus mid-west and also occurs in ewes imported from the far west.
