Diarrhea in lambs: how to treat and what to do, what can be given

Sheep often face various diseases that can cause damage to the digestive organs. At the same time, general weakness, diarrhea and other symptoms appear. Farmers are especially concerned if these signs occur in cubs. Therefore, the question of how to treat diarrhea in lambs is considered very relevant. To deal with this problem, it is important to start with a correct diagnosis.

Causes of diarrhea in lambs

Digestive disorders can be associated with a variety of factors. Sometimes even experienced farmers cannot determine the causes of problems. In such a situation, one cannot do without the help of a veterinarian.

Anaerobic dysentery

This term refers to an acute toxic infection that affects newborn babies. It is possible to identify the pathology by the occurrence of diarrhea, which provokes the rapid onset of dehydration, and ulcerative enteritis. After that, the animal quickly dies.

The cause of the pathology is considered to be infection with dangerous microorganisms that can live for half an hour at a temperature of +90 degrees. Most often, lambs aged 1-5 days are susceptible to the disease. However, it quickly spreads through bedding, inventory and other infected objects.

The development of the disease is caused by the lack of preventive vaccination and improper feeding of sheep during pregnancy. Also, the risk of illness increases in case of hypothermia and improper conditions of detention. The disease can have the following types of currents:

• super-sharp - causes instant death;
• acute - lasts 3 weeks;
• chronic - rare and accompanied by developmental delays in lambs.

Enterotoxemia

Pathology is a toxic infection that provokes damage to the nervous system. The disease quickly leads to the death of the lamb. It is caused by spore-forming anaerobes. When ingested, they produce toxins that enter the bloodstream. The disease can spread between animals. Pathogens often enter the body from pastures. Outbreaks usually occur in the spring. Pathology has 3 development options:

• lightning fast - the death of a lamb occurs in 10-12 hours;
• acute - the pathology lasts about a day;
• chronic - causes weakness, diarrhea, anemia.

With helminthiasis

This group includes many diseases that are caused by ingestion of parasitic worms. All of them cause indigestion. The most common pathologies include:

1. Helminthiases - are caused by the defeat of worms from the class of leaf-shaped flukes. They cause paramphistomatosis, fascioliasis, dicroceliosis.
2. Cestodoses - they are caused by tapeworms called cestodes. They provoke the development of monieziosis and coenurosis.
3. Nematodes - this group of pathologies is provoked by roundworms called nematodes.

With fascioliasis

This disease is provoked by parasitic trematodes. They cause damage to the bile ducts of the liver. Infection usually occurs with water and food. Pathology can develop 3-4 months. At the same time, it causes stool disorders, loss of appetite, anemia, fever. In the absence of timely therapy, there is a risk of death of the lamb.

Echinococcosis

This term is understood as parasitic chronic pathology. It is caused by echinococcus, which is considered the most dangerous parasite. Infection is carried out with water and grass. Also, the development of the disease is possible if hygiene rules are violated on farms.

Most often, parasites affect the lungs and liver. Pathology can lead to the death of animals. It is accompanied by diarrhea, hair loss, general weakness, cough.

Colored diarrhea

This pathology is dangerous only for newborn cubs. It occurs immediately after birth or after 3-5 days. Despite the name, the feces are transparent. Therefore, it is not always possible to identify the disease in time.

In addition to diarrhea, the baby has severe weakness, loss of appetite. The disease causes dehydration. To avoid pathology, it is important to vaccinate a pregnant female 3-4 weeks before birth.At the initial stage, the pathology can be eliminated with the help of complex therapy. Even with a slight suspicion of the development of the lamb disease, it is recommended to isolate, provide him with a favorable temperature and constantly ventilate the room.

Associated symptoms

The clinical picture usually depends on the diagnosis. In this case, diarrhea is often accompanied by symptoms of dyspepsia, especially if the baby is bottle-fed. Most often, diarrhea in lambs provokes such signs:

• general weakness and lethargy;
• loss of appetite;
• weight loss;
• appearance of bloody impurities in the feces;
• rapid dehydration.

Diagnostic Methods

With timely detection, most pathologies can be cured. At the same time, it is important to carry out diagnostics in time. Therefore, if there is any suspicion of a deterioration in the condition of the lamb, it is recommended to contact the veterinary service.

After a preliminary examination, the doctor will prescribe laboratory tests. This will help you understand the causes of your symptoms and help you choose a treatment.

Methods for treating diarrhea in sheep

When diarrhea appears, the treatment may be different - it all depends on the specific diagnosis and age of the animal.

Adult

Therapeutic measures depend on the diagnosis:

1. With enterotoxemia, therapy gives results only in the initial stages. At the same time, sheep need to be injected with hyperimmune serum. It is recommended to do this in combination with antibiotics. Complex cases of pathology are not amenable to therapy.
2. When helminthiasis treatment is prescribed depending on the parasite that provoked the disease. When infected with nematodes, Ivermectin is prescribed. Albendazole helps to cope with tape or round worms. With fasciolosis, you need to give Hexichol, Acemidofen. Dosage should be determined by a veterinarian. In this case, the sick animal must be isolated.

At the youngsters

Young animals usually suffer from the same pathologies as adult animals. Therefore, the only difference in treatment is the dosage of drugs. As a rule, the volume of drugs is calculated depending on body weight.

At the lambs

Lambs often face special diseases. Therefore, the treatment methods are different:

1. In case of anaerobic dysentery, it is recommended to inject hyperimmune serum intramuscularly. Synthomycin can also be used. In addition, antibiotics or sulfonamides help to cure the pathology.
2. Colored diarrhea requires complex therapy. First, the baby needs to be given a warm solution of electrolytes. This will help support his body before the antibacterial drugs begin to work. The solution is recommended to be administered daily with an interval of 6 hours. At the same time, antibiotics are prescribed - "Gentamicin", "Spectomycin", "Nifuraldezon". They are recommended to be administered every 2 hours.

If the appearance of diarrhea in a cub is not associated with a serious pathology, it is permissible to use folk remedies. For this, a decoction of oak bark or strong tea is suitable. You can also use the drug "Zinaprim". To do this, you need to pour a pinch of the substance onto the tongue of the animal. It is worth doing 2-3 times.

Possible consequences

Diarrhea in lambs is considered quite a dangerous condition. In the absence of timely assistance, it quickly provokes dehydration of animals. With the development of serious diseases, the probability of death of the lamb is high.

Prevention

To avoid diarrhea in babies, it is important to properly feed and maintain pregnant lambs. Of no small importance is the observance of the rules of lambing hygiene. You also need to strictly adhere to the recommendations for rearing young stock.

Before lambing, the sheep must be given concentrated types of feed. They also need vitamins and minerals. Before lambing, the room must be cleaned and disinfected. Udder sanitization is recommended before lambing.

Diarrhea in lambs can be the result of a variety of pathologies. There are many dangerous conditions that can provoke the death of cubs. To avoid this, it is important to pay special attention to prevention.If the symptoms of diarrhea still appear, you need to consult a veterinarian.

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