small ruminants
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Subscribe
  • English
    • Français
    • Italiano
    • Español
    • Ελληνικα
Menu
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Subscribe
  • English
    • Français
    • Italiano
    • Español
    • Ελληνικα
Search
Close

Clostridia: What are the most important species?

  • March 1, 2023
Clostridia are responsible for various pathologies in small ruminants. Often, the only clinical sign is dead animals without any apparent cause. The impact of this disease is global, but there are tools available to farmers and veterinarians to prevent this problem. Learn more about the subject in the following article.

What are clostridia?

Clostridia are a group of round-shaped, toxin-producing anaerobic Gram+ bacteria found in the environment and digestive tract. They cause non-contagious toxin infections, mostly with a hyperacute course.

main clostridia: most important species
Fig 1. Clostridia have a worldwide distribution and can affect any farm.

They are grouped into three large groups, depending on the action of the toxin:

– Histotoxic: they affect blood cells, tissue cell membranes and the endothelium. They cause gangrene and edema mainly in muscle tissue.

– Enterotoxic: they increase the permeability, motility and vasodilation of the intestine, and also destroy the mucosa.

– Neurotoxic: they affect the nervous system.

The toxins are responsible for the clinical symptoms, the death of the animal and the lesions found on necropsy.

 

The main Clostridia

The most common clostridia in small ruminants are:

– C. perfringens: is the most important.

· type D: is the main cause of enterotoxemia and sudden death In the post-mortem inspection, pulpy kidney can be found.

· type B and C: affect young animals, causing hemorrhagic diarrhea and death.

– C. novyi: mainly type B, is the cause of hepatic necrosis.

– C. chauvoei: is responsible for symptomatic anthrax (black leg). We can find animals with lameness and black musculature due to necrosis.

– C. septicum: is responsible for braxy (abomasitis) and malignant edema, and is one of the causes of the most severe economic losses.

– C. sordellii: has similar symptoms to Cl. septicum. Sheep are very susceptible.

– C. tetani: is responsible for tetanus The main sign is rigid paralysis and sudden death.

The different species of clostridia share the genetic code of several toxins, but with different production capacities.

 

Predisposing factors:

Clostridial diseases are related to the following factors:

– Traumatic injuries or surgical and non-surgical procedures (tail docking, shearing, giving birth, castration, predation, etc.).

– Sudden changes in diet or poor conservation of food.

– Bad colostrum.

– Poor disinfection of the navel.

– Stress.

 

Conclusions

– Clostridia have a global impact.

– They produce toxins, which are the cause of the pathology.

– They cause various diseases, most of which have a hyperacute course.

– Vaccination is the most effective tool to prevent clostridial disease.

 

Article written by: 
David Raimundo Crespo. Global Product Manager, Small Ruminants Franchise – HIPRA

Previous Post

Colostrum: the first step to ensuring the future of the farm

Related Posts

Colostrum: the first step to ensuring the future of the farm

Colostrum: the first step to ensuring the future of the farm

February 20, 2023

Neonatal mortality is a problem that all farms face, causing significant economic losses. Around 15–20% of lambs die in the...

vaccinating against mastitis

How can we reduce the use of antibiotics for mastitis?

February 22, 2023

Antibiotics are often necessary to treat infections, but poor practices can cause the emergence of resistance. Mastitis is a disease...

CATEGORIES

  • Antibiotic reduction
  • Field experience
  • Footrot
  • Mastitis
  • Other Goats, Sheep and Lamb Diseases
  • Reproductive
  • Respiratory

NEWSLETTER

DON’T MISS ANY UPDATES ON SMALL RUMINANTS

I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy and Basic information on Data Protection.


ASK THE EXPERTS

Your opinion is very important to us, so we encourage you to contact our team of experts on Small Ruminants to ask any questions or discuss any concerns you may have about sheep, goats and lambs health prevention.

I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy and Basic information on Data Protection.


small ruminants

Follow us

Linkedin
Youtube
Categories
  • Antibiotic reduction
  • Field experience
  • Footrot
  • Mastitis
  • Other Goats, Sheep and Lamb Diseases
  • Reproductive
  • Respiratory

Pages

  • Blog
  • Videos
  • About us
  • Contact

HIPRA ©2023 All rights reserved

  • Cookie policy
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy policy
Menu
  • Cookie policy
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy policy
This website uses its own cookies and those of third parties to improve our services and navigation. By clicking on Accept you consent our use of all these cookies. You can also opt to change your settings. For more information, see our Cookie policy.

ACCEPT ALL COOKIES Cookies configuration
Política de cookies

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
Domain: undefined
Description: This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category \"Necessary\".
Duration: 1 year 1 day 1 hour
Type: Necessary

cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
Domain: .aboutsmallruminants.com
Description: This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category \"Necessary\".
Duration: 1 year 19 days 15 hours 19 minutes
Type: Necessary

cookielawinfo-checkbox-non-necessary
Domain: .aboutsmallruminants.com
Description: This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category \'\'Non-necessary\'\'.
Duration: 1 year 19 days 15 hours 19 minutes
Type: Necessary
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

_ga
Domain: .aboutsmallruminants.com
Description: This cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site\'s analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors.
Duration: 1 year 20 days 8 hours 51 minutes
Type: Analytics

_ga_CDFH4BHCQC
Domain: .aboutsmallruminants.com
Description: No description.
Duration: 1 year 19 days 15 hours 19 minutes
Type: Other
SAVE & ACCEPT

Basic Personal Data Protection information:

Controller: LABORATORIOS HIPRA, S.A.
Purposes: Managing the contractual and/or business relationship with HIPRA, including sending news, promotions and invitations to events sponsored by HIPRA.
Lawful basis: Performance of the contractual relationship and HIPRA’s legitimate Interest.
Recipients: Third parties to which HIPRA has entrusted cloud computing, security, auditing, mailing, technical and computer support services, as well as companies in its group.
Rights: Request access to and rectification or erasure of personal data and other rights as explained in the additional information. You can seeview the detailed additional information about data protection in our Privacy Policy.

For further information, please check our detailed information on Data Protection.

Website for veterinarians

The contents of this website are aimed exclusively at prescribing veterinarians. By clicking on Accept you state that you are a veterinary professional. In other case, please contact a veterinarian and click on Decline.

ACCEPT
DECLINE

NEWSLETTER

Don´t miss any updates

I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy and Basic information on Data Protection.