Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
11
Health Management, Diseases,
and Parasites
J.E. Miller , DVM, MPVM, PhD ; B.M. Olcott , DVM, MS, MBA ; and G.F. Bath , BVSc
KEY TERMS
Health—a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or
infi rmity.
Disease—an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal function caused by bacteria and viruses.
Parasite—an organism that lives in or on another and from which it obtains nourishment.
Causative (etiological) factors—factors that produces an effect.
Epidemiology—transmission and control of diseases and parasites in populations.
Clinical examination — examination refl ecting normal/abnormal fi ndings.
Clinical signs/symptoms — examination fi ndings that refl ect disease or parasite presence.
Life cycle—period involving one generation of a disease or parasitic organism through means of reproduction, whether
through asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction.
Treatment—intervention to cure a disease or parasitic infection.
Prevention—intervention to prevent a disease or parasitic infection.
Health program—regularly scheduled program using an integrated approach for controlling diseases and parasites.
OBJECTIVES
By completing this chapter, the reader will acquire knowledge on:
The most common diseases and parasites of goats
The complex interaction of factors involved in transmission of diseases and parasites of goats
What signs and symptoms are associated with these diseases and parasites of goats
How diseases and parasites can be controlled through sound health management using integrated prevention and
treatment measures
INTRODUCTION
This chapter is not a comprehensive treatise of all
diseases and parasites of goats. For that, an entire book
would be necessary. Diseases included in this chapter
are mainly those caused by bacteria and viruses.
Diseases and parasitic infections are serious constraints
affecting goat production worldwide. Economic losses
are caused by decreased production, cost of prevention,
cost of treatment, and possible death of infected
animals.
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