Sheep enterotoxemia: pathogen and symptoms, methods of treatment and prevention

Enterotoxemia, or anaerobic dysentery of sheep is a toxic infection caused by anaerobic bacteria. The disease is manifested by serious nervous disorders, hemorrhagic enteritis, indigestion, general intoxication of the body. Sheep of all breeds and age groups are susceptible to enterotoxemia. If treatment is not started in time, the infection will inevitably lead to the death of farm animals.

Pathogen and causes of the disease

Enterotoxemia in sheep is caused by rod-shaped, gram-negative anaerobic bacteria Clostridium perfringens type C, D, less commonly A. Clostridium secrete toxins.In the external environment form capsules. On nutrient media, after penetration into the body of animals, spores are formed. Bacteria in spore forms in soils remain virulent for up to 3-4 years. Withstand heating up to 85 degrees, boiling for 13-15 minutes. The death of clostridia is caused by 5% formalin solution, bleach.

The main source of enterotoxemia are sick individuals, latent (hidden) carriers, recovered animals. Transmission factors include bedding, animal care equipment, and bacterially contaminated household items.

Important! Infection of sheep with anaerobic dysentery occurs by contact, alimentary route.

Causes of enterotoxemia in sheep:

unfavorable conditions of detention (high humidity, lack of ventilation, non-compliance with temperature);
feeding rotten, moldy, poor-quality feed, wet hay;
dramatic transition from one diet to another;
eating a lot of wet or young juicy grass;
predominance of concentrated feed in the diet;
early weaning of lambs;
autoimmune diseases;
protein, mineral deficiency, beriberi;
helminthiases (worm infestations).

The development of infection in sheep is facilitated by acute, chronic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, secretory dysfunction, as well as a sharp transition from stall to pasture content. Newborn lambs become infected from lactating ewes.

Signs and symptoms

Getting into the body of animals, clostridia produce toxins, actively multiply in the cells of the tissues of the digestive tract. The waste products of bacteria lead to the formation of ulcers, erosions, necrotic foci, internal hemorrhages.The liver, intestinal mucosa, serous membranes, vascular endothelium are affected. Their permeability increases. The secretory function, intestinal motility, the work of internal organs are disturbed.

Important! Enterotoxemia in sheep is most often diagnosed by veterinarians in spring and summer, less often in autumn and winter. The infection is seasonal.

Main symptoms, manifestations of enterotoxemia:

feed refusal;
drastic weight loss;
troubled behavior to oppression;
impaired growth, development of young animals;
change in heart rate;
sudden loss of coordination;
inadequate response to external stimuli;
loss of consciousness;
temperature increase 1-3 degrees, fever;
grinding teeth;
nervous disorders;
salivation, accumulation of foam in the corners of the mouth;
intestinal disorders;
profuse diarrhea;
pallor, cyanosis of mucous membranes;
impaired respiratory function;
muscle spasms, cramps.

In newborn lambs, individuals aged from 2-3 weeks to one month, enterotoxemia occurs in an acute form. The first symptoms appear 3-5 hours after infection. In adult animals, acute, hyperacute, less often chronic course of the disease is noted. The first signs of infection are noticeable 3-4 days after infection. Death occurs on the 7-10th day.

In some cases, fattening sheep develop enterotoxemia suddenly. Animals die without any manifestations of the disease. The lethal outcome is caused by severe intoxication, dehydration, paralysis of the respiratory system. Mortality from enterotoxemia occurs in 85-95% of cases.

Diagnostic measures

When making a diagnosis, take into account the data of anamnesis, external manifestations, the epizootological situation in the region for enterotoxemia. A more clear picture can be obtained after laboratory tests, pathological changes. Differential diagnosis is carried out, since the symptoms of enterotoxemia are similar to peptic ulcer, intestinal infections, bradzot, listeriosis.

How to treat infectious enterotoxemia

In the acute, hyperacute form of enterotoxemia in sheep, treatment is difficult. If the disease is chronic, veterinarians use complex antibiotics, tetracycline antibacterial agents for intramuscular injections, and sulfanilamide preparations.The duration of therapy is 4-5 days. The dosage of drugs is selected individually, depending on the age, general condition of the animals. Good results are noted after therapy with bivalent hyperimmune sera, which are effective against anaerobic bacteria.

Important! Infected animals are placed in quarantine zones, isolated from he althy sheep. He althy sheep that have been in contact with sick individuals are treated with antitoxic serum to prevent infection.

In addition, immunostimulants, probiotics, symptomatic drugs are prescribed to normalize digestion, the functioning of internal organs, and eliminate clinical manifestations. During treatment, it is necessary to carry out a number of disinfecting measures, normalize the conditions of detention, and eliminate factors that contribute to the further spread of the infection. After the end of therapy, a comprehensive examination of the ill individuals is carried out. The material is sent to the laboratory for bacteriological research.

What could be the consequences

Anaerobic dysentery can cause digestive disorders, provoke chronic cardiovascular and nervous pathologies. The ill young growth lags behind in growth, development, gains weight poorly.

Important! If you do not start treatment, anaerobic dysentery is fatal in 100% of cases.

Sick sheep develop specific immunity lasting up to 12-15 months.

Prevention

In livestock complexes located in regions with an unfavorable situation for enterotoxemia, routine complex vaccination against infectious diseases is mandatory. The vaccination schedule is set by the veterinarian. In order to prevent infection of sheep with anaerobic dysentery, it is necessary to monitor the quality of feed, systematically disinfect equipment, and periodically change the bedding.It is necessary to monitor the microclimate parameters in rooms with animals.

To increase the resistance, immune potential of sheep, diets are supplemented with vitamin and mineral premixes and additives. It is forbidden to export sheep from farms that are unfavorable for this infection, forced slaughter, regrouping of animals inside livestock complexes, skinning sick animals. The corpses of sheep and lambs that have died from enterotoxemia are subject to mandatory disposal.