Health Management, Diseases, and Parasites - Goat Science and Production - page 225

convulsions, and foam at the nose prior to death. Fluid and
foam are found in the lungs after death, as well as fl uid in
the pericardium. Treatment with tetracycline is effective if
given early in the course of the disease, and supportive
measures (fl uids and anti-infl ammatories) may be needed.
There is a vaccine for heartwater, but its use is fraught with
diffi culties.

terials, administration of nonsteroidal anti-infl ammatories
(NSAIDs, for example, fl unixin) is helpful.
Prevention is achieved by reducing the predisposing
causes listed above. There are no Pasteurella vaccines
labeled for use in goats, however, bovine products are used
with some apparent success. The vaccine should contain
antigens for M. hemolyticum as well as P. multocida . Viral
causes of pneumonia include CAEV and PPR. Contagious
caprine pleuropneumonia ( Mycoplasma biotype F38)
and other mycoplasma are capable of causing severe
pneumonia.

Respiratory Disease
Diseases of the respiratory tract are fairly common in
goats. Clinical signs include nasal discharge, coughing,
sneezing, and increases in respiratory rate, depth, and
effort (dyspnea). Goats with pneumonia will exhibit sys-
temic signs including fever, anorexia, and depression
along with signs of respiratory disease.
Bacterial lung infection is often preceded by viral infec-
tion, dusty or ammonia-laden air in barns, stress, and poor
nutrition. In most cases, the natural barriers and defenses
of the respiratory tract are weakened or overcome, giving
the opportunity for bacterial invasion. Affected animals
may sneeze or cough, are depressed, and may have a fever.
A nasal discharge is usually present. The main bacteria
involved are Mannheimia hemolytica , Pasteurella multo-
cida , C. pseudotuberculosis , and A. pyogenes .
Tuberculosis is not a common disease of goats but
because of its zoonotic potential has to be regarded as an
important disease. Goats are susceptible to M. bovis , M.
avium , and M. tuberculosis . Clinical signs are highly vari-
able depending on the system infected. Pulmonary infec-
tion is most common and results in coughing and ill thrift.
The enteric form presents with diarrhea and ill thrift. At
necropsy, affected goats will have caseated lesions in
parenchyma and lymph nodes.
Testing is done by intradermal testing using the caudal
tail fold. Goats commonly will respond to bovine PPD and
require the comparative cervical test to allow distinguish-
ing between bovine and avian mycobacterial. There is no
practical form of treatment. Infected animals should be
destroyed, and their herds of origin should be tested or
slaughtered. Prevention is based on testing all new entries
to the herd and not commingling goats with infected
animals including cattle.
In an outbreak, the cause should be determined by
culture. Antibiotics can be lifesaving if given early and
selected appropriately. In the absence of culture and sen-
sitivity, antibacterials are usually aimed at Pasteurella sp.
and would include tetracyclines, cephalosporins, fl orfeni-
col, fl uoroquinolones, and aminocyclitols. Tilmicosin
(Micotil) is not recommended for use in goats as mortality
has been reported following its use. In addition to antibac-

Diseases of the Skin
Dermatitis (infl ammation of the skin) is a common but
generally minor disease problem of goats. Dermatitis can
cause pruritus (itching), or pruritus can be absent. The
most common parasitic skin disease is infestation with lice.
Parasitic dermatitis will be covered in the Goat Parasites
section.
The main bacterial skin disease is dermatophilosis (rain
scald), caused by Dermatophilus congolense . Goats are
predisposed to infection by prolonged moistening of the
skin from rain followed by damage to the skin often caused
by ticks. The disease causes crusts and scabs on the dorsal
surfaces of the goat. Other bacteria can also invade the skin
if it is continuously wet.
Ringworm is the most common fungal dermatitis and is
usually caused by infection of the skin by Trichophyton
verrucosum . Lesions are crusty, raised and round, and are
often found on the head and ears. It is treated with anti-
fungicides, iodine, or thiabendazole. It may take weeks or
even months to end an outbreak.
Contagious Ecthyma (Orf) is caused by a parapox virus.
The virus is environmentally resistant and can live in the
environment for years. In susceptible herds, infection
spread quickly and causes crusts and scabs to occur on the
lips, tongues, mouths, and teats of affected goats. Lesions
persist for 2-4 weeks after which complete healing occurs.
Recovered animals have a solid immunity that lasts for at
least a year and have partial immunity for life. In endemi-
cally infected herds, infection occurs in kids after passive
immunity has waned (around 3 months). Weight loss is
dramatic in kids, and does may develop mastitis following
infection of the teats.
Treatment of affected animals is palliative. Lotions and
creams are used to soften the crusts. Antibacterials may
help prevent secondary bacterial infection. Nutritional
support is critical for kids. Prevention is by intradermal
vaccination with a live virus vaccine. The skin on the
inside of the thigh is scarifi ed, and vaccine is applied topi-