Watery mouth disease in neonatal lambs: a systematic literature review

Watery mouth disease is considered to be a significant cause of neonatal mortality in lambs. The clinical signs are strongly associated with an endotoxaemia produced as a result of the lysis of Gram-negative bacteria. It has been associated with mass antibiosis to neonatal lambs at birth, a practice which is now untenable. It can be prevented in many cases through the timely administration of good quality colostrum and a hygienic birth environment. However, despite this, much remains unknown about the specific aetiopathogenesis. Alternative strategies for prevention, treatment and control are required, particularly when colostrum quality is poor, or delivery is absent, and where unhygienic conditions predominate.