Artificial induction of red gut in sheep

Eight out of 10 lambs died within six to 11 hours after occlusion of the cranial mesenteric blood vessels by a snare placed around both the artery and vein. Death resulted from shock and was accompanied by post mortem findings identical to those seen in red gut. It is suggested that the cause of death in the naturally occurring disease is from arrested mesenteric blood flow following intestinal torsion.