Pulpy Kidney Disease (Enterotoxaemia) in Sheep and Goats

Pulpy kidney disease, also known as enterotoxaemia, is a common often fatal condition affecting sheep and goats, particularly young, fast-growing animals. It frequently causes sudden death and is most commonly seen during periods of good nutrition, such as lush pasture growth or increased grain feeding.

An effective vaccine is available and is strongly recommended in areas where the disease occurs. 

What Causes Pulpy Kidney Disease?

Pulpy Kidney disease  is caused by Clostridium perfringens type D, a bacteria that is normally present in the intestines of sheep and goats in low numbers.

Problems occur when these bacteria multiply rapidly and produce large amounts of toxins. This can happen when:

• Animals consume highly nutritious or lush feed
• There is a sudden increase in grain or concentrates
• Food movement through the gut slow temporarily

The toxin is absorbed into the bloodstream and causes widespread damage to blood vessels, particularly in the brain, leading to rapid deterioration and death.

Which Animals Are Most at Risk?

Pulpy kidney disease most commonly affects:

• Lamb and kids on lush pasture
• Fast-growing, well-conditioned young stock
• Animals recently introduced to grain to supplementary feeding

Those with the highest feed intake are often the most susceptible.

Signs of Pulpy Kidney Disease

Pulpy kidney disease can present in several forms:

Peracute (Very rapid) Form

• Animals are often found dead
• Occasionally staggering, twitching, convulsions, or shock are seen before death
• Death usually occurs within hours
• Scouring is uncommon

Aucte (Common) Form

• Thin, green, pasty scour
• Sometimes blood or pieces of gut in the scour
• Dullness, staggering, and convulsions
• Padding movements of the legs
• Affected goats may cry out in pain
• Death can occur within 24 hours

Chronic (Rare) Form

• Occurs mainly in adult sheep and goats
• intermittent scouring
• Depression and weight loss over time

Treatment Options

Due to the rapid progressions of pulpy kidney disease, treatment is usually not practical or successful.

In some valuable animals, intensive treatment may be attempted and can include:

• Intravenous fluids
• Intravenous antibiotics

However, prevention through vaccination and good management remains the most effective approach.

Prevention and Vaccination

Vaccination is the cornerstone of pulpy kidney disease prevention.

Pulpy kidney vaccination is commonly included in combination vaccines such as:

• 3-in-1 (tetanus, pulpy kidney, cheesy gland)
• 5-in-1 (tetanus, pulpy kidney, blackleg, black disease, malignant oedema)
• 6-in-1 (as for 5-in-1 plus cheesy gland)

Recommended Vaccination Guidelines

• Breeding animals should be vaccinated prior to lambing or kidding
• Lambs and kids receive protection through colostrum for approximately 8 weeks
• Unvaccinated animals require two initial doses, 4 weeks apart
• Annual boosters are recommended 
• Goats may benefit from six-monthly boosters
• Young stock are often vaccinated at marking

Management Practices to Reduce Risk

Management plays an important role in reducing the risk of pulp kidney disease:

• Avoid sudden changes in diet
• Introduce grain and concentrates gradually
• Provide adequate roughage with high-grain diets
• Limit access to lush pasture, molasses, and food sraps

When to Call the Vet

Contact Vet Cross immediately if you notice:

• Sudden deaths in sheep or goats
• Multiple animals showing neurological sign or convulsions
• Scouring and rapid deterioration in young stock
• Concerns about vaccination status or disease prevention 

Early advice can help protect the rest of your flock or herd.

Talk to Vet Cross

If you would like advice on vaccination programs or disease prevention tailored to your property, speak to the team at Vet Cross. We can help design a practical health plan to suit your stock, season, and management system.