Braxy is an infectious disease which causes sudden death in sheep. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium septicum.
Braxy generally occurs in winter, when sheep eat frosted root crops, [1] or frosted grass. [2] The frozen feed damages the mucosa (lining) of the abomasum, allowing C. septicum to enter, causing abomasitis and a fatal bacteremia. [3]
Young sheep not protected with a vaccine are most commonly affected. If sheep are not found dead, signs include abdominal pain and recumbency. [2] There is no treatment, [1] and sheep usually die within 36 hours of the onset of signs. [4] The carcass of sheep which died of braxy will often decompose more rapidly than expected. [1]
Historically, the mutton of affected sheep was also referred to as braxy. [5]
A vaccine against braxy was developed at the Moredun Research Institute in Scotland. [6]
Braxy has been reported in Europe (particularly in Iceland, Norway and the UK), Australia and the United States. [7]
Braxy is an infectious disease which causes sudden death in sheep. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium septicum.
Braxy generally occurs in winter, when sheep eat frosted root crops, [1] or frosted grass. [2] The frozen feed damages the mucosa (lining) of the abomasum, allowing C. septicum to enter, causing abomasitis and a fatal bacteremia. [3]
Young sheep not protected with a vaccine are most commonly affected. If sheep are not found dead, signs include abdominal pain and recumbency. [2] There is no treatment, [1] and sheep usually die within 36 hours of the onset of signs. [4] The carcass of sheep which died of braxy will often decompose more rapidly than expected. [1]
Historically, the mutton of affected sheep was also referred to as braxy. [5]
A vaccine against braxy was developed at the Moredun Research Institute in Scotland. [6]
Braxy has been reported in Europe (particularly in Iceland, Norway and the UK), Australia and the United States. [7]