|
Defense by antibiotic milk replacers is suggested,
with emphasis on longterm treatment with penicillin G. Vaccinations are likely applied to
survivors rather than naive adults, and some of them have toxin not antitoxin in their
blood. Many goats and sheep have passed through the perinatal crisis, yet some still show
signs of infection like “thin ewe disease” and skin and lung abscesses. Diagnosis,
aside from skin abscesses and swollen lymph glands is by
Elek-Ouchterlony immunological testing. Wells are cut in agar for either antigen (toxin or
toxoid) or antitoxin in Elek-Ouchterlony tests, and precipitating and neutralizing lines
develop beween them. Sheep and goats should be tested before as well as after vaccination
for PLD neutralizing antibodies, however if they have toxin in their blood they will test
negative. |