Species: Ovine

Specimen: EDTA blood

Container: EDTA (purple top) tube

Collection protocol: Venepuncture. It is advisable to take multiple blood samples from the mob.

Special handling/shipping requirements: Samples are to be transported and stored chilled. Do not freeze samples.

General information about the disease: Causes ovine haemoplasmosis, which is characterized by poor weight gain, severe anaemia, and even mortality in lambs and, occasionally, young adult sheep. Chronic sustained infection can occur asymptomatically in older sheep. M. ovis also causes a more severe disease in goats.

Comparison with other related tests: A CBC and a blood smear made at the time of blood collection provides useful additional information for a diagnosis.