However, the main methods of preventing this disease in feeder lambs is to stop them from overeating when first placed in the feed lot. A small amount of grain should be fed at first, and the grain ration gradually increased as the lambs become accustomed to it. This is a disease of sheep found mainly in the areas that are affected with the parasite known as the liver fluke, which, fortunately, is quite rare in Alberta. The infection is caused by the bacterium Clostridium novyi , which becomes active in the liver tissue damaged by the liver fluke and then produces the disease. Feeder lambs from the drier pasture areas may suffer severe death losses within three weeks to a month after being placed on fluke-infected pastures or having access to irrigation ditches and swampy spots.
Death occurs suddenly.
Since postmortem lesions of this condition can be easily confused with a number of other diseases, a veterinarian should be called for an accurate diagnosis. Control relies on vaccines and the reduction or elimination of the liver fluke from infected areas. This is a condition of cattle caused by the bacterium Clostridium haemolyticum . The disease was so named because of the red color of the urine, which is one of the striking symptoms seen in infected animals. A veterinarian should be consulted for an accurate diagnosis of the disease.