Lamb being creep fed or nursing heavy-milking dams are also susceptible, as are lambs in feedlots. Irregular feeding, in adequate feeder space, stress and changes in weather can also contribute to incidences of the disease. Efforts to treat lambs and kids for overeating usually do not meet with much success. Treatment is usually administration of the antitoxin, high doses of antibiotics and supportive therapy such as fluids and vitamins. As with most disease conditions, it is far better to prevent than treat overeating disease.
Vaccination is cheap insurance.
Researchers at Cornell vaccinated half of 200 Finn x Dorset ewes three weeks prior to lambing. The results of this experiment indicate that ewes should be vaccinated 3 to 4 weeks prior to lambing and that there is no benefit to vaccinating lambs prior to 6 weeks of age. It is important to note that animals that have not previously been vaccinated require two doses of the vaccine approximately 4 to 6 weeks apart. The toxoid product should be used in vaccination programs. The antitoxin only imparts immediate, short-term immunity.