Sheep and Lamb diarrhea: How we treat it?

When sheep and goats have stomach diseases their droppings usually become soft, watery and smelly. There are many conditions that cause diarrhoea. These include colibacillosis, paratyphoid, Johne's disease, Rift Valley fever (Slenkdalkoors), coccidiosis, worms and poisonous plants.

This condition is caused by a germ (bacteria). It usually affects lambs/kids under 2 weeks of age. This age group is usually affected because of one or more of the following reasons:

• Lambs/kids need to drink the first milk from their mothers, which is known as colostrum. This protects them to a certain extent from colibacillosis and a variety of other diseases. If lambs/kids do not drink this milk after they are born they are more likely to get sick.
• Paddocks or kraals are dirty and wet.
• Lambs/kids are already sick with another disease, which makes them more vulnerable to become infected with colibacillosis.
• Lambs/kids are placed under stress by moving them to another location (e.g. another paddock/kraal) or putting too many lambs/kids together.

The germ causing colibacillosis is present in the droppings of sick sheep and goats. When lambs/kids eat food or drink water contaminated with these droppings they get sick.

The animals are depressed and not eating. They have a watery, whitish-yellow or greyish diarrhoea that is known as "white scours". The umbilical cord is sometimes red and swollen. The back legs are dirty with droppings. Lambs/kids usually die as a result of dehydration.

There are no exact signs. The gut is usually redder than normal and filled with a greyish to yellowish liquid.

Colibacillosis can be treated with antibiotics. It is important to give sick lambs/kids sufficient water and electrolytes to prevent them from dying of dehydration. Ewes and does can be vaccinated 6 to 8 weeks before birth to protect their lambs/kids.

This disease is caused by a germ (bacteria). It usually affects older lambs and 2- to 4-tooth sheep and goats (1 to 2 years of age). The reasons for this include one or more of the following:

• Stress caused by moving the sheep and goats, for example to a feedlot or an abattoir or keeping too many sheep and goats together.
• Sudden change in feed, e.g. they are usually put onto a high concentrate, low roughage feed when moved to a feedlot.

High numbers of Salmonella germs present in the environment, e.g. at the abattoir or feedlot.

They have a fever and do not eat. A watery green diarrhoea that is sometimes spotted with blood can be seen. They usually die within 7 days from dehydration or septicaemia. If they do not die within 7.

Sheep and goats have diarrhoea and become weak and dehydrated. In severe cases animals could die.

Gut is filled with a watery, foul-smelling liquid. Parts of the plant are sometimes found in the stomach.

Immediate treatment consists of giving enough clean drinking water. Giving activated charcoal sometimes also helps. If possible, take the animals to alternative grazing where poisonous plants do not occur.

Inspect your farm regularly for poisonous plants and remove them. Ensure that sheep and goats have enough food so that they need not eat the poisonous plants. Take special care when bringing new animals onto your farm, because they would not yet know to avoid poisonous plants and are most likely to be affected. Also take special care during early spring when some poisonous plants start to grow before green grass becomes available.

• Separate the sick sheep and goats from the healthy ones.
• If one or two are lying down, provide shade and fresh food and water.
• Try to give them activated charcoal and electrolyte solutions.
• Prevent blowfly strike by cleaning the back legs.
• Find out exactly what is making your sheep and goats sick so that you can give the correct treatment. You can do this by contacting your veterinarian for advice. You can also send in fresh droppings of both healthy and sick animals to a laboratory for testing.
• Electrolyte solutions are given to prevent dehydration and to give the sick animals energy. An example of an electrolyte solution that you can buy is lectade. You can make your own electrolyte solutions at home.

Welcoming a new kitten into your home is an exciting time for any family. Those tiny balls of fur bring so much joy, laughter, and love. However, as a responsible pet owner, it is crucial to understand the significance of kitten food and meeting their unique kitten nutritional needs during these critical early months.

Understanding Kitten Nutritional Needs

Kittens, much like human babies, have distinct nutritional requirements crucial for their growth and development. In fact, where a human grows 20x in 18 years to reach adulthood, a cat grows rapidly 50x in a mere 12 months to reach adulthood. This rapid growth phase, demands a diet tailored to their unique needs. Here is a breakdown of why kitten food is not just about smaller kibbles:

1. Unique Dietary Requirements A kitten's diet should be rich in essential nutrients, which is important for their growth spurt. Food formulated for kittens contains higher levels of protein and calories, supporting their energetic lifestyle and rapid development.
2. Frequency of Feeding Due to their smaller stomach capacity and higher energy needs, kittens thrive on frequent, smaller meals throughout the day. This grazing behavior is natural and ensures they receive a steady supply of energy for their active lifestyle.

Selecting the Right Kitten Food

With so many options, getting your hand on the right pet food can be challenging, but armed with the right knowledge, you can make informed choices for your feline friend. Here are key factors to consider when selecting kitten food:

1. Life Stage Look for food specifically labelled for kittens. These formulas are designed to meet the unique kitten nutritional needs of growing cats, ensuring they receive the essential nutrients needed for optimal development.
2. Complete and Balanced Nutrition Ensure the kitten food you choose carries a claim of complete and balanced nutrition. This guarantees that each serving fulfils your kitten's total nutritional needs, laying the foundation for a healthy life ahead. This includes a high fat content to meet their intense energy requirements. High protein-low starch content, with balanced calcium and phosphorus levels, ensures a healthy development of the growing bones and developing muscles. The formulation needs to have a high degree of digestibility so that the food is easy to digest, the nutrients easy to absorb by their sensitive digestive systems and all this without causing any gut disturbances.
3. Guaranteed Analysis Pay attention to the Guaranteed Analysis on the pet food label, which outlines essential nutrients such as protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. These values provide insight into the nutritional content of the food and help you make informed decisions.

VETERINARY HPM^®: Catering to Kitten Needs

When it comes to kitten food, VETERINARY HPM^® stands out as a revolutionary option tailored to meet the specific needs of growing felines. With its low carbohydrate-high protein formula, it delivers nutrition that aligns closely with the natural diet of carnivores. Here's why VETERINARY HPM^® is a game-changer:

1. Healthy Growth Support VETERINARY HPM^® ensures balanced growth with its high protein content and optimal levels of calcium and phosphorus, essential for bone development and overall health.
2. Immune System Boost With added beta-glucan, this formula supports the development of a robust immune system, helping kittens ward off illnesses and thrive. It also supports better vaccine response.
3. Digestive Health The low starch content of VETERINARY HPM^® promotes digestive tolerance, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal issues commonly seen in young cats. Lactobacilli (probiotic) alongwith fibres (prebiotics) stimulates the growth of good gut bacteria which help keep the gut environment healthy. Bentonite, an add-on ingredient, protects the internal lining of the digestive tract, helping with normal stool odour and consistency. 
4. Urinary Health Its high level of animal protein contributes to urinary health, reducing the likelihood of urinary tract problems as kittens mature into adulthood.
5. Skin and Coat Wellness Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids aid in the development of healthy skin and a lustrous coat, ensuring your kitten looks as good as they feel.
6. Dental tartar control Pentasodium triphosphate supplements helps to limit dental plaque and tartar formation, thus contributing to good dental health from an early age.

To Conclude

Providing the right kitten food is paramount for ensuring your furry friend grows into a healthy, happy adult cat. By understanding their unique nutritional needs and selecting appropriate food options like VETERINARY HPM^®, you can lay the foundation for a lifetime of well-being and companionship. So, embrace the journey of nourishing your kitten and witness the boundless joy they bring into your life.