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

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

such as ''

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

'' 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 tract is the largest of the body's systems, after the cardiovascular system. ...

. 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 who 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, overw ...

, and

recumbency Lyingalso called recumbency, prostration, or decubitus in medicine ()is a type of human position in which the body is more or less horizontal and supported along its length by the surface underneath. Lying is the most common position while bein ...

. 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 age are affected. The symptoms include, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort,

convulsion A convulsion is a medical condition where the body muscles contract and relax rapidly and repeatedly, resulting in uncontrolled shaking. Because epileptic seizures typically include convulsions, the term ''convulsion'' is often used as a synony ...

s, and

opisthotonos Opisthotonus or opisthotonos (from and ) is a state of severe hyperextension and spasticity in which an individual's head, neck and spinal column enter into a complete "bridging" or "arching" position. This extreme arched pose is an extrapyram ...

. 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 A carbohydrate () is a biomolecule composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms. The typical hydrogen-to-oxygen atomic ratio is 2:1, analogous to that of water, and is represented by the empirical formula (where ''m'' and ''n'' ...

s, the bacteria begin to

proliferate Proliferation may refer to: Weapons *Nuclear proliferation, the spread of nuclear weapons, material, and technology *Chemical weapon proliferation, the spread of chemical weapons, material, and technology *Missile proliferation, the spread of lon ...

, causing a significant rise in the concentration of toxins. Clinical signs include

anorexia Anorexia nervosa (AN), often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by Calorie restriction, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight, and an overpowering desire to be thin. Individuals wit ...

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

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. is a gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped, coliform bacterium of the genus '' Escherichia'' that is commonly fo ...

'' 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