GI disease Flashcards
Causes of scour in neonates
Incorrect mixing of milk replacer
E.coli, Clostidium perfringens B, Salmonella
Rotavirus
Cryptosporidium
Causes of scour in lambs
Rumen acidosis - creep feeding
Coccidiosis, Nematodirus, Parasitic Gastroenteritis (PGE)
Causes of scour in adult sheep
Rumen acidosis/lush pasture
Salmonella, Johnes
Cause of watery mouth in lambs
E.coli
How old are lambs that are affected by E.coli?
<4d
Clinical signs of E.coli infection (watery mouth) in neonates
Pyrexia
Lethargic
Scour
Hypersalivation
Pot belly (‘rattle belly’)
Control of E.coli
Good hygiene - clean, dry bedding changed between each ewe, hospital pens for ill animals
Colostrum management - within 6hrs of birth, ewe nutrition and BCS
How much colostrum should be given to new born lambs and within what timeframe?
50ml/kg ASAP, but withing 6hrs
200ml/kg within 24hrs
What are the 9 clostridia in sheep?
Clostridia perfringens type B, C, D
C tetani
C botulinum
C novyi
C septicum
C chavoei
Condition and clinical signs of C perfringens type B
Lamb dysentery
Sudden death in lambs (<3wks), may see blood-tinged diarrhoea, dull/listless
Protozoal causes of diarrhoea
Coccidiosis
Cryptosporidium
Risk factors associated with coccidiosis
Mixing age groups of lambs
Moving young lambs to shed/pasture where older lambs have been kept
Intensively stocked systems
Faecal contamination in/around feed/water troughs
What are the sources of coccidia oocysts?
Ewes passing oocysts onto pasture/bedding etc.
What is the multiplier effect with coccidiosis?
Ewes pass oocysts onto pasture and some overwinter
These oocysts are ingested by lambs and shed
Pathogenesis of coccidiosis
Damage to the gut lining causes straining, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea +/- mucous and blood
Leads to dehydration and death in severe cases
Ill-thrift and poor growth rates
Concurrent infection can exacerbate clinical signs
Control measures of coccidiosis
Ensure adequate colostrum intake
Good hygiene
Prevent faecal-oral transmission - raise feed and water troughs
How old are lambs that are affected by cryptosporidium?
Usually <10d
What is the peak risk period and pre-patent period of nematodirus battus?
Peak risk April to Jun, can get outbreaks Sept to Oct
PPP 14d
What are the key features of the nematodirus battus life cycle?
L1-L3 happens within the egg
Eggs hatch when temperatures exceed 10 degrees
Long life cycle - between lamb crops
What is the pathology of nematodirus battus?
Larvae damage the villi and erode mucosa
Causes of GI disease in pre-weaning pigs (0-4wks old)
Rotavirus
C perfringens C, A
Coccidiosis
E.coli
PCV II
PRRS
Causes of GI disease in 4-12wk old pigs
Rotavirus
E.coli
Salmonella
Lawsonia Intracellularis
Brachyspira pilisicoli and hyodysenteriae
PCV II
PRRS
Causes of GI disease in finisher pigs (12-25wks)
Salmonella
Lawsonia Intracellularis
Brachyspira pilisicoli and hyodysenteriae
PCV II
PRRS
Clinical signs of GI disease in pigs
Watery scour
- sticky, dirty skin
- perineal staining
- yellow
- associated with fading
- can be difficult to detect on bedding, look on walls
- sickly sweet smell
Sloppy looseness
- generally no smell
- green, brown, black
- signs of blood/mucous
- can be difficult to detect on bedding
