Consumption of large amounts of milk by nursing lambs is also thought to contribute to the occurrence of this disease. Clinical Signs Death is most often the first sign observed. The disease progresses very rapidly, with death usually occurring less than two hours after onset of clinical signs. Affected live animals will often show periodic muscular tremors and convulsions. The animal may rise between seizures, but as the condition progresses, may collapse.
Convulsions occur often with the head, neck, back, and limbs rigidly extended.
Frothing at the mouth, grinding of the teeth, and oscillations of the eyes may be apparent. Diarrhea may be present in some animals. Incidence Geographical prevalence essentially includes all sheep producing areas of the world. There is variation in the age of the sheep affected. Type D enterotoxemia is commonly encountered in weaned, feedlot lambs.