Enterotoxemia is a condition induced by the absorption of large volumes of toxins produced by

bacteria Bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one Cell (biology), biological cell. They constitute a large domain (biology), domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometr ...

such as ''

Clostridium perfringens ''Clostridium perfringens'' (formerly known as ''C. welchii'', or ''Bacillus welchii'') is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic, spore-forming pathogenic bacterium of the genus ''Clostridium''. ''C. perfringens'' is ever-present in nature an ...

'' from the

intestines The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal) is the tract or passageway of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The GI tract contains all the major organs of the digestive system, in humans and ...

. There are several strains of ''C. perfringens'' (type B, C, and D) that may lead to the development of this gastrointestinal condition.

Lamb dysentery

A form of enterotoxemia caused by an infection of type B ''C. perfringens'', affecting lambs whom are less than three weeks old. Lambs often die before displaying clinical signs, nonetheless common behaviours of lambs with this condition include, cessation of nursing,

lethargy Lethargy is a state of tiredness, sleepiness, weariness, fatigue, sluggishness or lack of energy. It can be accompanied by depression, decreased motivation, or apathy. Lethargy can be a normal response to inadequate sleep, overexertion, overwo ...

, and recumbency. Diarrhea is typical as well, death usually occurs within a few days.

Calf enterotoxemia

A form of enterotoxemia caused by type B or type C ''C. perfringens.'' Calves less than one month of old are affected. The symptoms include, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, convulsions, and

opisthotonos Opisthotonus or opisthotonos (from grc, ὄπισθεν, translit=opisthen, lit=behind and grc, τόνος, translit=tonos, lit=tension, label=none) is a state of severe hyperextension and spasticity in which an individual's head, neck and spinal ...

. Death may occur within a few days but recovery from this form is possible.

Overeating disease or pulpy kidney

A form of enterotoxemia caused by type D ''C. perfringens'' that occurs in sheep and goats. When an animal is exposed to a rapid increase in dietary

carbohydrate In organic chemistry, a carbohydrate () is a biomolecule consisting of carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) atoms, usually with a hydrogen–oxygen atom ratio of 2:1 (as in water) and thus with the empirical formula (where ''m'' may or m ...

s, the bacteria begin to proliferate, causing a significant rise in the concentration of toxins. Clinical signs include

anorexia Anorexia nervosa, often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by low weight, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight, and an overpowering desire to be thin. ''Anorexia'' is a term of Gre ...

abdominal The abdomen (colloquially called the belly, tummy, midriff, tucky or stomach) is the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis, in humans and in other vertebrates. The abdomen is the front part of the abdominal segment of the torso ...

pain, and liquid diarrhea ( scours) that may contain blood.

Edema disease

A form of enterotoxemia caused by specific pathotypes of ''

Escherichia coli ''Escherichia coli'' (),Wells, J. C. (2000) Longman Pronunciation Dictionary. Harlow ngland Pearson Education Ltd. also known as ''E. coli'' (), is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped, coliform bacterium of the genus '' Esc ...

'' that occurs in nursery pigs.

References

External links

* {{MeshName, Enterotoxemia * http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220-26508--,00.html * https://web.archive.org/web/20111113020906/http://www.radil.missouri.edu/info/dora/RABBPAGE/GI.html#IV. Ruminant diseases