Clostridial abomasitis

This chapter discusses the etiology, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, prophylaxis and control, and treatment of braxy, which is caused by Clostridium septicum and other agents. Clostridial abomasitis of calves, lambs, and goat kids in which C. septicum is not the causative agent is a well-recognized but not well-understood disease. Disease at the flock level is usually sporadic, but can be prevented effectively in animals at risk by routine annual immunization with commercially available clostridial bacterin–toxoid vaccines containing C. septicum . Several other agents have most commonly been associated with clostridial abomasitis, including C. perfringens type A, Clostridium sordellii , and Sarcina spp., or combinations of these agents. Other Clostridia, such as Craterellus fallax , have been generally less consistently isolated. Treatment, including limitation of feeding, should be undertaken immediately when abomasal disease is suspected. Surgical resection of ulcerated or perforated areas in the abomasum may help in some cases.