Diarrhea in Sheep: Causes, Treatment and Home Remedies

Diarrhea in sheep — known clinically as ovine diarrhea or scours — is one of the most common and potentially fatal problems in sheep production, especially in newborn and young lambs. Without prompt treatment, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can kill a lamb within 24 to 48 hours.

In this guide we cover the main causes, how to identify them, available treatments, and practical home remedies you can use when veterinary care is not immediately available.

Why Is Diarrhea in Sheep So Dangerous?

The main danger of diarrhea in sheep — especially in lambs — is not the diarrhea itself, but its consequences:

• Dehydration: Rapid fluid loss leads to circulatory collapse
• Electrolyte imbalance: Loss of sodium, potassium and bicarbonate disrupts organ function
• Metabolic acidosis: The body’s acid-base balance is disrupted, causing weakness, coma and death
• Secondary infections: A damaged intestinal lining allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream

A lamb that is weak, cold, cannot stand, or has sunken eyes is already severely dehydrated and requires emergency treatment.

Main Causes of Diarrhea in Sheep

Identifying the cause is essential to choose the correct treatment. The main causes differ by age group.

In Newborn Lambs (0–7 days)

• E. coli (Colibacillosis): The most common cause in the first 3 days of life. Causes white or yellow watery diarrhea. Fatal if untreated.
• Clostridium perfringens type B and C (Hemorrhagic enterotoxemia): Bloody diarrhea with rapid death. Prevention through vaccination of ewes pre-lambing.
• Cryptosporidium parvum: Protozoal infection causing profuse watery diarrhea from days 3–10. No specific treatment; supportive care is essential.
• Rotavirus: Viral cause — most common in lambs 3–14 days old. Yellow, watery feces. Colostrum antibodies provide partial protection.

In Older Lambs (2 weeks – 3 months)

• Coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.): The most important cause of diarrhea in weaned and growing lambs. Often causes bloody diarrhea, straining, and significant weight loss. Overcrowding and poor hygiene increase risk.
• Salmonellosis: Acute, often bloody diarrhea with fever and rapid deterioration. Can affect animals of any age. Zoonotic risk — use gloves.
• Clostridium perfringens type D (Pulpy kidney / Enterotoxemia): Sudden death in well-fed, fast-growing lambs. Prevention: vaccinate ewes and lambs.

In Adult Sheep

• Gastrointestinal parasites (Haemonchus, Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus): Chronic or acute diarrhea, weight loss, anemia (bottle jaw). Most common cause in adults in warm, humid climates.
• Johne’s disease (Paratuberculosis): Chronic, watery diarrhea in adult sheep. Caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. No cure — manage through culling.
• Dietary changes: Abrupt changes in feed (especially to lush pasture or high grain) can disrupt rumen flora and cause diarrhea.
• Poisoning: Ingestion of toxic plants or chemical compounds can cause acute diarrhea.

How to Assess Dehydration in a Lamb

Use the skin tent test: pinch the skin on the neck and release. The time it takes to return to normal indicates the level of dehydration:

• Less than 1 second: No dehydration — oral rehydration sufficient
• 1–2 seconds: Mild dehydration (5%) — oral electrolytes urgently
• 2–4 seconds: Moderate dehydration (8%) — oral electrolytes + veterinary evaluation
• More than 4 seconds: Severe dehydration (10%+) — IV fluids required immediately

Also check: Is the lamb able to stand? Can it suckle? Are the eyes sunken? Is the mouth cold? These signs indicate severity.

Treatment of Diarrhea in Sheep

1. Oral Rehydration (First Priority)

Regardless of the cause, the first and most important step is to correct dehydration and electrolyte losses. Use commercial oral electrolyte solutions designed for lambs and kids (e.g., Rehydion, Lectade, Revive). Administer via bottle or stomach tube if the lamb cannot suckle.

Important: Do not mix electrolytes with milk — alternate feedings (milk and electrolytes separately, at least 2 hours apart).

2. Antibiotics (for Bacterial Causes)

For confirmed or suspected bacterial diarrhea (E. coli, Salmonella), antibiotics are indicated under veterinary guidance. Commonly used:

• Trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole
• Enrofloxacin (use with caution — prescription required in many countries)
• Ampicillin or amoxicillin for E. coli in neonates

3. Antiparasitics (for Coccidiosis and Worms)

• Coccidiosis: Toltrazuril (Baycox) or sulfadimidine. Treat all animals in the group, not just affected individuals.
• Haemonchosis and other nematodes: Levamisole, ivermectin, moxidectin, fenbendazole — rotate classes to prevent resistance. Use FAMACHA scoring to target treatment.

4. Supportive Care

• Keep the animal warm and dry — hypothermia is a common complication in scouring lambs
• Ensure access to clean water at all times
• Separate affected animals to prevent spread and reduce stress
• Vitamin B complex injections can support recovery

Home Remedies for Diarrhea in Sheep

When veterinary products are not available, the following home remedies can help stabilize an animal while you seek professional help. These are supportive measures, not cures for the underlying cause.

Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution

Mix in 1 liter of clean, lukewarm water:

• 1 teaspoon of salt (sodium chloride)
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• 1 tablespoon of sugar or glucose

Administer 250–300 ml every 2–4 hours by bottle or stomach tube in lambs. This replaces fluids and electrolytes but does not treat the infection.

Kaolin-Pectin (Kaopectate)

Over-the-counter kaolin-pectin preparations can help firm up stools by absorbing toxins and excess water in the intestine. Dose: 15–30 ml orally every 4–6 hours for lambs.

Activated Charcoal

Useful when poisoning is suspected. Adsorbs toxins in the gut. Mix 1–2 g/kg body weight in water and give orally.

Prevention of Diarrhea in Sheep

Good management practices dramatically reduce the incidence of scours:

• Ensure adequate colostrum intake: Lambs must receive at least 200 ml of colostrum within the first 2 hours of life. Colostrum provides essential antibodies against E. coli, rotavirus and Clostridium.
• Vaccinate ewes: Pre-lambing vaccination against Clostridium perfringens types B, C, D (and other clostridia) protects newborns through maternal antibodies in colostrum.
• Hygiene in lambing areas: Clean and disinfect lambing pens between uses. Wet, dirty bedding is the main source of Cryptosporidium and E. coli.
• Prevent overcrowding: High stocking density accelerates pathogen transmission, especially coccidiosis.
• Parasite monitoring: Implement FAMACHA and fecal egg counts. Treat strategically — avoid blanket treatment that promotes resistance.
• Gradual feed transitions: Avoid abrupt changes in diet, especially from dry to lush pasture or from forage to grain.

Recording diarrhea events, treatments and outcomes for each animal in OvinApp allows you to track patterns, identify problem periods and evaluate whether your prevention protocol is working effectively.