Neck Muscle Hemorrhage in an Alpine Kid Following Enterotoxemia: a New Necropsy Finding

Enterotoxemia, also referred to as "Overeating disease" or "Pulpy kidney," is a condition caused by Clostridium perfringens type D. This condition poses significant economic challenges to the goat industry. The objective of the present report was to document a previously unreported necropsy finding, namely Neck Muscle Hemorrhage, observed in a deceased Alpine kid affected by enterotoxemia. The case in question involved a three-month-old Alpine kid that exhibited clinical signs indicative of acute enterotoxemia. A postmortem examination was promptly conducted to ascertain the underlying cause of death. Aseptic sampling of the small intestine, specifically the ileum contents, was performed during the postmortem examination. The samples were then examined bacteriologically. Additionally, a commercial enterotoxemia ELISA kit was utilized to identify the enterotoxins produced by C. perfringens, including Alpha, Beta, and Epsilon toxins, and to confirm the presence of bacteria in the obtained samples. During the postmortem examination, no overt external lesions were observed. However, necropsy revealed several remarkable gross lesions, including hemorrhage and hyperemia of the colonic mucosa and small intestine, pulmonary edema, hemothorax, hydropericardium, and neck muscle hemorrhage. The bacteriological investigation and ELISA assay results indicated the presence of alpha and epsilon enterotoxins in the intestinal contents, thereby confirming the detection of C. perfringens type D bacteria. Collectively, these findings provide substantial evidence that strongly links the observed lesions to enterotoxemia caused by C. perfringens type D infection in the examined alpine kids. Notably, the investigation identified a peculiar gross lesion-namely, hemorrhagic necrotizing lesions in the neck muscle-that has not been previously reported in goats and which is associated with enterotoxemia. The recognition of this distinctive lesion underscores its significance as a noteworthy manifestation of enterotoxemia in goats. The documentation of this lesion provides clinicians with valuable guidance during necropsy examinations, aiding in the recognition and diagnosis of cases of enterotoxaemia.