Anaerobic dysentery of newborn lambs is a bloody diarrhea that affects immature lambs. This dangerous infectious disease is caused by bacteria, the carriers of which can be even healthy-looking adult sheep. Microorganisms live and multiply in the intestines of the lamb, lead to the formation of ulcers on the mucous membranes, their toxins easily penetrate into the blood and cause general intoxication and immediate death of animals.
Pathogen and description of the disease
Anaerobic dysentery or, as they say in Latin, Dysenteria anaerobica agnorum, is an infectious disease caused by dangerous microorganisms.The causative agent of the disease is the bacterium Cl. Perfringens type B. The infection enters the body of newborn animals, usually through the mother's nipples stained with infected manure.
Bacteria can live quietly in the intestines of adult and healthy-looking sheep and are excreted in feces, while contaminating the bedding and the entire area of the barn or sheepfold. These microorganisms are spore-forming microbes. Spore forms can be found not only in manure, but also in the soil, where they remain viable for up to four years, despite seasonal temperature fluctuations. Bacteria are killed only by 5% creolin, lime solution, sodium hydroxide, carbolic acid and alcohol.
Dysentery affects small lambs in the first days after birth. True, only individuals with weakened immune systems suffer from it. This happens if pregnant ewes received feed poor in vitamins and minerals. According to statistics described in many presentations and scientific papers, previously 7 out of 10 newborns suffered from dysentery, and 3-5 individuals died.
They didn’t even have time to cope with this disease. After all, the infection affected lambs in the first 3 days after birth. In cubs after 6 days, dysentery was recorded less frequently. Sick lambs began to experience bloody diarrhea, intoxication, and dehydration. It is known that it takes 5-6 hours for microbes to begin their destructive activity in the body.
Nowadays, the infection affects lambs from disadvantaged farms. This usually happens in the spring, when cubs are born from females weakened by poor feeding. Unfavorable living conditions can provoke the disease. The infection affects lambs that are kept on dirty bedding, in damp, cold and cramped conditions.
Symptoms and clinical signs
Anaerobic dysentery is easily identified by its characteristic symptoms. The disease usually develops quickly and is acute. Dysentery is, first of all, diarrhea with a foul odor. At the very beginning, the stool is watery, greenish or yellow-brown in color. Subsequently, they become thick and dark, mixed with blood and mucus. The reason for this condition is the activity of dangerous microbes.
Bacteria, having entered the body of newborn animals, begin to multiply rapidly, releasing toxic substances.
Ulcers appear on the intestinal mucosa. They bleed, causing the entire contents to turn red. Absorbed into the blood, toxins also poison the body of small lambs, causing acute toxicosis. It is for this reason that sick individuals develop liquid and bloody diarrhea, and the fur near the anus becomes dirty and sticky due to frequent bowel movements.
The disease is also characterized by a disorder of the nervous system and a depressed state. Symptoms of anaerobic dysentery also include muscle cramps and loss of coordination. A sick animal may not respond to sounds, stand all day, bent over and suck in its stomach, and then fall to the side. His body temperature rises to 40-43 degrees, and his pulse and breathing increase. The illness can last several hours or one to three days and result in the death of the affected lambs.
True, there is also a subacute form of dysentery. The animal may diarrhea for 3 weeks. In this case, the symptoms are as follows: the patient lies down most of the time, his condition is depressed, and his appetite is poor. The lamb looks very emaciated due to constant dehydration; instead of diarrhea, there are thick feces interspersed with blood and mucus.He may subsequently die due to exhaustion.
Diagnostics
Anaerobic dysentery is diagnosed based on the clinical picture, as well as the results of laboratory tests. The disease affects only newborn lambs. Similar symptoms may occur in older sheep, but indicate salmonellosis or coccidiosis. Blood and stool tests are needed to make a diagnosis. In case of mass mortality of lambs, a fresh corpse is sent to the laboratory. Usually the blood, the condition of the small intestine and other organs and systems of the deceased individual are examined.
Treatment and prevention
Anaerobic dysentery is treated immediately after early symptoms (diarrhea) appear. Prescribe antitoxic serum, sulfonamides (“Norsulfazol”), antibiotics (“Sintomycin”). At the initial stage, the disease can be treated quickly and effectively. Lambs that have recovered from dysentery and have recovered develop a strong immunity to this infection.
True, it is best to carry out preventive vaccination against dysentery. Cubs born from vaccinated ewes are immune to this type of bacteria. In disadvantaged farms, it is recommended to vaccinate all sheep, preferably as early as three months of age. You can even vaccinate pregnant queens one to three months before lambing.
For this purpose, a special polyvalent GOA vaccine or anti-clostridial polyanatoxin is used. It is possible to immunize newborn animals in the first hours of life with a specific antitoxic serum.
In addition to vaccination, it is recommended to provide pregnant females with good care and adequate nutrition. Pregnancy usually occurs in the winter. The room where the females are located should not be damp, cold or dirty. The young animals that are born must be kept clean and warm. In the room before lambing, it is necessary not only to replace the bedding, but also to disinfect all objects and even the floor. For this purpose, a solution of bleach or creolin is usually used.
Possible consequences
Anaerobic dysentery usually develops in weakened lambs. If the disease is not treated, five out of ten newborn sheep may die. The disease is dangerous because of its lightning speed. Infection occurs quickly and affects the lamb's body in a matter of days.
Bacteria poison all organs and systems, leading to ulcers in the small intestine and severe bloody diarrhea. Toxic poisoning and dehydration result in the death of the lamb.
True, in 5 cases out of 10, newborn sheep recover even without treatment. But subsequently they are stunted and gain weight poorly. Lambs that have recovered from the disease may experience problems with the gastrointestinal tract and decreased appetite. Negative consequences can be avoided if ewes are vaccinated against dysentery and fed with high-quality feed, and given pharmaceutical vitamins and minerals during pregnancy.
