In contrast, enterotoxemia type C most often affects nursing lambs within the first few weeks of life, causing a bloody diarrhea. Animals with enterotoxemia are frequently found dead, without symptoms. The disease progresses rapidly and often strikes the best-doing lambs. When symptoms are observed, they are often confused with other diseases such as e.coli scours or polio. Affected lambs will appear depressed, may grind their teeth, twitch or convulse.
Abdominal pain is common.
Treatment of affected animals is usually unrewarding. Antitoxins can be given either orally or by injection and administration of antibiotics, such as penicillin, may help, but as with other disease problems, prevention is the better course of action. Fortunately, there is an effective, inexpensive vaccine to control the disease. Since lambs can be affected early in life, it is advisable to vaccinate ewes 30 days prior to lambing. This way the lambs will obtain temporary immunity from the mother's colostrum.