Quality post mortem examinations and appropriate laboratory tests are critical. In the laboratory, stains of intestinal smears show large numbers of clostridial organisms and laboratory cultures reveal large numbers of Clostridium perfringens bacteria. Microscopic examination of the intestines, looking for the damage produced by the infection, often indicates enterotoxemia. However, accuracy depends on submitting quality samples. A common problem is submitting severely decomposed samples.
Definite diagnosis requires identification of the toxins produced.
At this time the practicality of this test is limited because of difficulties and requirements for conducting the test and because toxins are mostly inactivated within hours of death, often rendering them unavailable for testing. Treatment Success of treatment of affected calves is often poor, especially if affected animals are in advanced stages of the disease. Clostridial bacteria generally are susceptible to penicillin, but response is variable. Other medicines also used for supportive therapy include fluids, electrolytes, and vitamins. A veterinarian should be consulted for proper therapeutic measures in affected animals.