Two outbreaks of Pasteurella multocida septicemia in neonatal lambs

This short communication describes two outbreaks of Pasteurella multocida septicemia in neonatal lambs, which were characterized by high morbidity and case fatality rates. The affected lambs showed dullness, anorexia, and toxemia before death. All lambs died or were found dead within 10–12 h of birth. Necropsy examination of all the dead lambs revealed abdominal distension, marked hemorrhage in the entire body, and congestion in the alimentary tract especially in the abomasum. The lungs were congested and edematous. Histological examination revealed multifocal necrosis in the myocardium with infiltration of inflammatory cells. There were acute serousal pneumonia with focal hemorrhage in the lungs and centrilobular necrosis associated with infiltration of neutrophils in the sinusoidal spaces, renal hyperemia and glomerulitis, meningeal and cerebral hyperemia, and acute lymphadenitis. P. multocida was recovered as pure growth which was confirmed by bacteriological examination. Septicemia due to P. multocida is a rare condition in neonatal lambs.