Occurrence, clinical signs, postmortem Lesions and etiology of enterotoxaemia in Black Bengal goats

A year round study was carried out to investigate the etiology, clinical signs, postmortem lesions and occurrence of naturally occurring enterotoxaemia in Black Bengal goats. Sixteen goats of different age and sex died in different seasons with sigh associated with entero-toxaemia made the materials of this study. Accidental access to large amount of concentrate was noted as one of the predisposing factors although few cases were reported to occur without known diet change. Younger animals(50%) and males(62.50%) were found more prone to the disease and it was likely to be more prevalent during winter(50%) followed by at rainy season(31.25%) and summer(18.75%). Diarrhoea(81.25%), dullness(56.25%), drooping of the ears(50%), anorexia(43.75%) were recorded as major clinical signs whereas enterocolitis(100%), lung edema(87.50%), fluid filled intestines(87.50%), enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes(56.52%) etc. were most common post mortem lesions found. A few cases showed lesions on heart(31.25%), brain(25%) and/or liver/spleen(18.75%) but no lesion was found on kidney. Thus the so called ``pulpy kidney`` lesion was absent. Intestinal contents were subjected to conventional bacteriological culture based methods to identify the causal agents. Based on the morphological, cultural and biochemical properties the causal agent was identified as Clostridium perfringens. Despite the study was carried out at certain area it showed a clear picture of goat enterotoxaemia in terms of etiology, clinical signs, postmortem lesions and occurrence of goat enterotoxaemia in Bangladesh.