The Chlamydia species that causes abortion is not associated with conjunctivitis or arthritis. Vibrionic Abortion Vibrionic abortion is caused by Campylobacter fetus or Campylobacter jejuni. Campylobacter jejuni being the predominate strain in the United States. Infected ewes generally recover following abortion and are immune to reinfection. Some ewes may remain persistently infected in the gall bladder and continue to shed bacteria in their feces.
Some ewes die of complications such as infected uteri, fetal retentions or peritonitis.
Stillbirths and weak lambs are also common. Vibrio abortion in sheep is not venereal. Ewes are infected by oral ingestion. Toxoplasmosis Abortion Toxoplasmosis along with Vibrionic abortion are the most common causes of abortion the Midwest. Toxoplasma abortion is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan which causes coccidiosis in cats.