Enterotoxaemia in Sheep

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of enterotoxemia losses in sheep?

Clostridium perfringens toxin production (correct)

Grain overload

Overconsumption of concentrate rations

Blackleg

What is a common presentation of affected animals in the acute case of enterotoxemia?

Loss of appetite and lethargy (correct)

Repetitive kicking at the belly

Blood in the stool

All of the above

What is the significance of glucosuria in diagnosing enterotoxemia?

It can indicate enterotoxemia (correct)

It is a common symptom

It indicates grain overload

It is a definitive diagnosis

What is the typical outcome for animals that exhibit the posture of lying on their sides with their head and neck extended back over their withers?

Death within minutes to hours Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary to differentiate enterotoxemia from grain overload?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of postmortem data in diagnosing enterotoxemia?

It can confirm the diagnosis Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of enterotoxemia that differentiates it from grain overload?

Clostridium perfringens toxin production Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of differentiating enterotoxemia from other acute, fatal diseases of sheep?

It can help identify the cause of death Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of vaccination in sheep and goats?

To induce immunity to the toxins generated by Clostridium perfringens types C and D Signup and view all the answers

What type of vaccine is often recommended for sheep and goats?

Three-way vaccine Signup and view all the answers

When should pregnant animals be vaccinated with C/D&T vaccines?

During the fourth month of pregnancy Signup and view all the answers

How often should young animals be vaccinated?

Twice at four weeks of age and then 30 days later Signup and view all the answers

Why should animals that appear sick be avoided for vaccination?

Because they may not respond well to the vaccine Signup and view all the answers

What type of feeds can trigger enterotoxemia if fed in excess?

Grains, silage, milk or milk replacer, and protein supplements Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to avoid vaccinating goats within 21 days before slaughter?

To prevent contamination of the meat Signup and view all the answers

What should be used in case of anaphylaxis caused by a vaccine?

Epinephrine or its equivalent Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of confirming the diagnosis of enterotoxemia?

Laboratory culturing of Clostridium perfringens organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is often found in the urine of animals affected by enterotoxemia?

High sugar content Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of treatment in affected individual animals?

Supportive care only Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic finding in the small intestine of animals with Type C enterotoxemia?

Discolored and hemorrhagic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of prevention of enterotoxemia?

Vaccination of all animals in the herd Signup and view all the answers

What is often found in the lungs of animals affected by enterotoxemia?

Congestion and fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is a valuable diagnostic aid in the diagnosis of enterotoxemia?

Culturing of Clostridium perfringens organisms Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of feeding roughage in the prevention of enterotoxemia?

To reduce or eliminate concentrate feeding Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of enterotoxaemia in sheep?

Absorption of a large amount of toxins from the intestines Signup and view all the answers

Which age group is most susceptible to enterotoxaemia?

Lambs and kids Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the toxins circulating in the bloodstream in enterotoxaemia?

Swelling in the lungs and kidneys Signup and view all the answers

What is the common history in flocks of affected animals with enterotoxaemia?

Excessive concentrate ingestion, generally exceeding 3/4 pound per head per day Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the disease caused by the absorption of a large amount of toxins from the intestines?

Enterotoxaemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the toxins on the blood vessels in enterotoxaemia?

Increased permeability Signup and view all the answers

What is the main factor that contributes to the development of immunity in adult animals?

Frequent exposure to these toxins Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract of sheep and most mammals?

Clostridium perfringens Signup and view all the answers

When introducing high-risk feedstuffs to an animal's diet, what is the recommended approach?

Divide the daily allotment into several small feedings Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to feed roughages such as hay before feeding high-risk feedstuffs?

To allow the animals to become full on hay beforehand Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended approach to increasing the amount of grain fed to a flock or herd?

Increase the amount gradually over several days Signup and view all the answers

When turning animals out onto pasture after being fed hay or other stored feeds, what is the recommended approach?

Begin with 10 minutes of grazing time and double it with each subsequent day Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended approach to feeding heavily milking dams?

Feed less concentrate and more roughage to limit excessive milk production Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to keep the feed schedule consistent for lactating does and ewes?

To limit fluctuations in milk volume for their nursing offspring Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Enterotoxaemia

Enterotoxaemia, also known as overeating or pulpy kidney disease, is a highly significant and costly disease problem for the sheep industry.
It is a condition caused by the absorption of a large amount of toxins from the intestines.
Clostridium perfringens types C & D are bacteria normally found in the soil and as part of the normal microflora in the gastrointestinal tract of a healthy sheep and goats.
Under certain conditions, these bacteria can rapidly reproduce in the animals, producing large quantities of toxins.

Etiology

Clostridium perfringens is a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract of sheep and most mammals.
Predisposing conditions often appear to be nutritional and occur most often in the early stages of feeding in feedlot lambs.
Excessive concentrate ingestion, generally exceeding 3/4 pound per head per day, is a common history in flocks of affected animals.
Other management factors that allow lambs to rapidly engorge, such as irregular feeding or inadequate bunk space, also increase the risk of enterotoxemia.
Consumption of large amounts of milk by nursing lambs is also thought to contribute to the occurrence of this disease.

Clinical Signs

Loss of appetite
Abdominal discomfort, shown by kicking at the belly and arching the back
Profuse diarrhea (watery consistency with or without blood)
Affected animals may show signs of stomach pain, such as kicking at their belly, repeatedly laying down and getting up, laying on their sides
Diarrhea may develop; in some cases, there is blood visible in the loose stool
Animals may lose the ability to stand, lay on their sides, and extend their legs, with their head and neck extended back over their withers
Death commonly occurs within minutes to hours after this sign is seen

Diagnosis

Enterotoxemia must be differentiated from other acute, fatal diseases of sheep, such as blackleg, bloat, or acute poisonings
Clinical signs of grain overload, or acidosis, are similar to those of enterotoxemia
Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, and history of sudden death that can be confirmed by necropsy
Diagnosis can be confirmed by positive identification of enterocolitis (inflammation of the intestine)
Clostridium perfringens types C & D from the feces, and gut content and kidneys cultured and isolated from the affected animals
The presence of glucosuria (high levels of sugar in the urine) can indicate enterotoxemia

Treatment

Treatment of affected individual animals is usually ineffective, thus prevention is essential
Antitoxins produced by commercial companies can be given either orally or by injection
Administration of antibiotics such as penicillin may be recommended, but is frequently of little value after clinical signs appear
Other supportive therapy, such as fluids, vitamins, or cortisone, may be prescribed

Prevention

Prevention of enterotoxemia is far more likely to be successful than trying to treat the disease
All animals in a herd should be vaccinated against enterotoxemia
Vaccination will reduce the chances that animals will contract enterotoxemia

Vaccination

Vaccination is the cornerstone to prevention of this disease
For sheep and goats, there are multiple vaccines available that induce immunity to the toxins generated by Clostridium perfringens types C and D
Vaccinate pregnant animals with C/ D&T vaccines during the fourth month of pregnancy
Vaccinate all young animals at four weeks of age and then 30 days later
Vaccinate bucks and all adult animals once a year

Feeding Strategies

Feed roughages such as hay before feeding higher-risk feedstuffs, such as grain
Divide the daily allotment for each animal into as many small feedings as is feasible (three to four feedings)
Make feed changes slowly, and provide an adequate number of feeding sites or feeder space to enable all animals an equal chance to eat
For animals being turned out onto pasture after being fed hay or other stored feeds, a conservative thumb rule is to begin by allowing only about 10 minutes of grazing time on the first day and double this with each subsequent day

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Description

Learn about Enterotoxaemia, a costly disease affecting the sheep industry, its causes, prevention, and impact on sheep producers.