Clostridial Diseases

Written by Bas van Luijk - Veterinarian, East Coast Farm Vets

---

As we move into winter it’s an important time to talk about Clostridial infections. While they happen year round, we do see a huge spike in spring, mainly in younger animals.

Clostridial diseases are a constant threat to sheep and cattle. They can present as occasional stock losses or as outbreaks with the sudden death of large numbers of animals.

Clostridia (Clostridium) are anaerobic bacteria that can produce toxins. They are able to survive on pasture for a long time under extreme temperature and humidity conditions. The bacteria live in the intestine, where they live in balance with the intestinal flora, until an imbalance promotes their development and the release of toxins. 

Clostridial diseases include pulpy kidney, tetanus, black disease, blackleg and malignant oedema and they cause sudden death through the release of deadly toxins, blood poisoning, navel-ill and gangrene.

Typically the presentation of enterotoxaemia (pulpy kidney disease) is hyper acute, presenting signs of bloating and discomfort which often evolves into a rapid decline of the patient. They can often have difficulty breathing and foam exudates may be present in their airways.

As animals that start to show symptoms are often not able to be saved, prevention should be our focus.

Vaccination of all at-risk animals with combined clostridial vaccines (5-in-1/8-in-1/10-in-1 amongst others) has over time proven to be very effective.

Timing of vaccination is important. Vaccination of pregnant animals within 4 weeks of giving birth will maximise the level of antibodies their new born will receive through colostrum to protect them against clostridial diseases (for up to three months of age). Remember mammals are born with very few antibodies and rely on antibodies in the colostrum for protection in the first months of their life. Pet lambs, often missing out on a good dose of colostrum are at particular risk of this disease and should be vaccinated in their first weeks of life.

Animal’s subjected to sudden changes in nutrition supply (change of pasture, sudden introduction of feed concentrates, etc.) are at risk of clostridial diseases due to the rapid multiplication of the bacteria and production of toxins absorbed into the blood.

Transportation of animals, climate change and poor quality of pastures (or very rich pastures for that matter) are all factors that can ultimately lead to intestinal upset, which favours the development of the disease.

It’s not worth gambling with clostridial disease. Vaccination is a cost effective insurance against the threat of major stock losses.

This article was published in the Gisborne Herald on 03/05/25.