* Lambs may produce bloodstained [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]] before death, but they often die before this effect is apparent.
* Lambs may produce bloodstained [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]] before death, but they often die before this effect is apparent.
* Diagnosed by culturing contents of gut.
* Diagnosed by culturing contents of gut.
+
+
Infection with Clostridium perfringens types B and C causes severe enteritis, dysentery, toxemia, and high mortality in young lambs, calves, pigs, and foals. Types B and C both produce the highly necrotizing and lethal β toxin that is responsible for severe intestinal damage. This toxin is sensitive to proteolytic enzymes, and disease is associated with inhibition of proteolysis in the intestine. Sow colostrum, which contains a trypsin inhibitor, has been suggested as a factor in the susceptibility of young piglets. Type C also causes enterotoxemia in adult cattle, sheep, and goats. The diseases are listed below, categorized as to cause and host. C perfringens also has been associated with hemorrhagic enteritis in dogs. (See also intestinal diseases in horses, Intestinal Diseases in Horses and Foals: Introduction.)