Diarrhoea due to Clostridium

Clostridium is a complex of symptoms that especially at calves is caused by toxins of Clostridium perfringens type A, which under certain circumstances can increase massively in the intestines.

Definition

Clostridium is a complex of symptoms that especially in calves is caused by toxins of Clostridium perfringens type A, which under certain circumstances can increase massively in the intestines. 

Cause 

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram positive rod. This germ occurs naturally in healthy calves frequently in the intestinal contents.

Description 

Clostridium perfringens is a natural intestine inhabitant of healthy calves. Under normal conditions the germ especially occurs in the colon (1 billion germs/gram intestinal contents) but also to a lesser extent in the small intestine and in the rumen. By a bowel disturbance due to changes in digestion by:

• overcharge of the stomachs (too high feed absorption, to slow draining)
• too much fast-fermentable concentrate in ration
• water shortage
• stress