Archive Case #107: Ovine Pulpy Kidney

Clinical Clues

1. A well-grown lamb from a fast-growing group is found dead, and another is acutely unwell.
2. The group recently moved onto richer feed and lush pasture.
3. The affected lamb shows neurologic signs, including paddling and opisthotonus, before dying rapidly.
4. There is little time for disease progression once clinical signs appear.
5. The pattern fits a clostridial toxemia associated with sudden dietary abundance in sheep.
6. Enterotoxaemia caused by Clostridium perfringens type D is commonly known as pulpy kidney.

Diagnosis

Ovine Pulpy Kidney

This case is most consistent with Ovine Pulpy Kidney because the lambs are well grown, on a rich diet, and showing sudden fatal neurologic toxemia. The most important clues are the nutritional history and peracute course, which strongly support enterotoxaemia.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.