Up to 30 lambs died in November due to suspected copper poisoning, according to the latest Regional Veterinary Laboratory (RVL) report.

One six-month-old lamb from a flock of 30 that died was sent to Athlone RVL for autopsy, where elevated copper levels in the liver and kidney confirmed copper poisoning. The RVL advised the farmer to check the copper concentration in their feed.

A case of plant poisoning was reported by Sligo RVL. An eight-month-old lamb was discovered dead after eating a garden shrub related to rhododendron. Two other lambs were found on the point of death in the garden.

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Athlone RVL discovered an unusual case where an abscess caused by caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in the shoulder of an 18-month-old ram spread and caused an enlarged right testis, ultimately part of the cause of death.

The RVL in Athlone also recorded two cases of Jaagsiekte (JSRV) virus in sheep from the same flock. The virus was first discovered in Ireland last year and is highly infectious and deadly.

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