CASE NOTES
RED GUT IN LAMBS GRAZING LUCERNE
Kate Peffer, District Veterinarian CTLLS
Posted Flock & Herd December 2017
Introduction
Red gut or intestinal torsion is a severe intestinal accident seen in sheep grazing lush green pasture. The disease is characterized by acute abdominal pain, collapse and death with most cases reported as sudden death. (1,2)
History
In November 2017, a case of sudden death in lambs grazing lucerne was investigated near Cowra in the Central Tablelands. The producer reported losing approximately 30-40 prime lambs over a one to two week period with no indication of illness prior to death. The lambs had been drenched with Q-drench (Abamectin 1.0 g/L, Albendazole 25.0 g/L, Closantel 37.5 g/L, Levamisole hydrochloride 40.0 g/L) 3 weeks prior and had received two injections of 6 in 1 (Clostridium perfringens (type D), Cl. Novyi, Cl. chauvoei, Cl. septicum, Cl. tetani, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis). Pasture comprised lucerne stand with some native grasses growing along the fence line. Initially when the deaths started the lambs were supplemented with lucerne hay which corresponded with a cessation of deaths. It was when the producer discontinued the hay that he again started seeing deaths.
Post-mortem report
A post-mortem was conducted on one of the dead lambs. The carcass was markedly bloated and starting to autolyse but there were no other abnormal findings externally. There was approximately 500ml of serosanguinous fluid in the peritoneal cavity. From approximately 120cm distal to the pylorus to the lumbar flexure of the colon, the intestines were discoloured dark red to black and markedly gas filled becoming more dilated caudally (Fig 1). The rumen had a small amount of fresh lucerne and liquid present. The remaining abdominal contents appeared normal and the chest cavity was normal.
A diagnosis of intestinal torsion/red gut was made based on the history and post-mortem findings. The producer was advised to supplement the lambs with roughage which he did in the form of lucerne hay. Following this supplementation the producer reported no more losses.
Fig 1. Post-mortem showing marked reddening and distension of the small and large intestines
Discussion
Red gut is a catastrophic intestinal accident seen in sheep when the root of the mesentery occludes secondary to abnormal positioning of the small and large intestines. The condition is seen in animals grazing lush, highly digestible pastures, particularly lucerne but also clover and other legumes. (1,4) Highly digestible feedstuffs move rapidly through the reticulorumen into the intestine causing a reduction in size of the reticulorumen and increased intestinal motility. The ingesta then moves into the large intestines where it continues to ferment and produce gas distension of hindgut and caecum. (2)
It is theorised that the reduction in reticulorumen size, hypermotility of the small intestines and a subsequent increase in size of the hindgut and caecum makes the viscera physically unstable allowing abnormal positioning of the small and large intestines. (4) In some cases this increased mobility and displacement leads to an accidental torsion of the mesenteric root and subsequent devitalisation of the gastrointestinal tract supplied by the cranial mesenteric arteries. Affected animals show a brief period of abdominal distension and discomfort followed by death from circulatory and endotoxic shock. (1,4)
Post-mortem findings include dark red discolouration of the small and large intestine beginning approximately 120cm distal to the pylorus and extending to the lumbar flexure of the colon. Histologically the mucosa shows marked capillary and venous congestion and extensive haemorrhage in the lamina propria.
Grazing roughage decreases the incident of red gut by slowing the passage of digesta though the gastrointestinal tract, reducing hypermotility of the small intestines and gas distension of the large intestines. Roughage also increases the size of the reticulorumen which helps stabilize the intestines and prevent their displacement. (2) Roughage can be supplied in the form of ad lib. hay or by intermittent grazing of highly digestible and fibrous pastures.
Conclusion
Red gut in sheep is reported to be a relatively rare condition in Australia, however I have had two confirmed cases of producers losing sheep to red gut in the last 12 months. All cases were in lambs grazing lucerne prior to sale. Considering the value of prime lambs, preventative action including supplementing roughage or alternate grazing of low risk pastures should be considered when grazing lush, highly digestible pastures.
References
- Bath CL, Non Infectious intestinal conditions in Sheep. In ASVS Australian Sheep Veterinary Society Conference ProceedingsCairns Conference,2003;13:8
- Gumbrell RC, Red gut in sheep: a disease with a twist.NZ Vet. Journal1979; 45:6:217
- Gumbrell RC, Jagusch KT, (1973) "Redgut" syndrome in lambs grazing lucerne.NZ Vet. Journal1973; 21:8 178-179
- vein.vetsci.usyd.edu.au Retrieved 13/12/17