General information about this database and other resources for identifying and treating goat diseases Diseases from all over the world are included USAID and other agencies
are providing computers to extension agents in small villages all over
the world, enabling them to access agricultural materials. At last
count people from 93 countries were using this site. In addition,
people are traveling and working all over the world, and disease is
spreading from country to country.
Reader Responsibility
This database was created by a person
who is not a veterinarian. There is no warranty that the
materials are correct. Every one who uses this database should
read all of the resources under "Summarized From..." and should consult
the other links provided in the right column to verify the accuracy of
the material before using it.
Veterinary Texts
Smith and Sherman's Goat Medicine, Lippincott,
Wilkins and Williams, 1994 is an excellent veterinary text and is highly recommended
for any person providing health care to goats. (Note:
this book has been updated since the writing of this section, so all
page numbers cited here apply to the 1994, not the 2009 edition.)
Goat anatomy illustrations Veterinary databases or articles created by licensed veterinarians
Cornell University: Consultant Disease Database (Dr. Maurice
E. White) http://www.vet.cornell.edu/consultant/Consult.asp?Fun=Sign&spc=&dxkw=&sxkw=&signs=
This is a diagnostic support system for veterinary medicine. See the following link for their
complete list of symptoms: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/consultant/Consult.asp?Fun=F_Signlist&spc=&dxkw=&sxkw=&signs=
IVIS Drug Databases (veterinarians only) http://www.ivis.org/vetprod/drugs/toc.asp Medications Commonly Used In Goats (Dr. Patty Scharko) http://www.uky.edu/Ag/AnimalSciences/goats/presentations/drugwithdrawtimeJan05.pdf Small Ruminant Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy (Dr. Scott Haskell) http://www.rmncsba.org/SMALLRUMINANT.pdf (On-line manual for small ruminant veterinarians. Covers goat, sheep, alpaca, llama and camels. Listed below you will find the sections that pertain to goats. Make note of the page for the section you want before you go to the site. It is a huge database.)
Langston University's 2010 Field Day Notes: Meat Goat Herd Health and Prevention (Dr. Lionel Dawson) are an excellent resource for basic goat care. The article includes tables of vaccinations, anthelmintics (dewormers)
and common drugs with the currently recommended goat dosages, milk and meat
withhold times. They are written for meat goats,
but most of the material applies to dairy goats as well. http://www.luresext.edu/goats/library/field/dawson10.pdf
The following sites contain useful medical information, but are not written by veterinarians: Jack Mauldin Meat Goat Site http://www.jackmauldin.com/health.htm
Onion Creek Ranch http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/articlesMain.html. University of Maryland Sheep and goat: alphabetical list of sheep and goat diseases with links: http://www.sheepandgoat.com/disease.html |
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| The Disease Database A-B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Abscesses (See Caseous Lymphadenitis) |
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Acidosis (See enterotoxemia, grain overload, founder, overeating disease) |
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Acariasis (see Mange) |
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Akabane
(Summarized from Smith and Sherman, Goat Medicine, at p.
82-85, and Haskell, Small Ruminant Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy, at p. 270.
)
Causative Agent: Virus passed by biting midge and some types of mosquitoes. Found in Asia, Africa, Middle East and Australia. Clinical Signs: Disease is inactive in non-pregnant does. A pregnant doe that is infected, may be normal, but if a doe is infected between days 30 and 50 of their pregnancy, the kids are often malformed. If the doe is infected in the last 100 days of pregnancy, kids are normal. Stillborn fetuses, or newborns that die shortly after birth, may have birth defects such as arthrogryposis (rigid fixation of the joints; usually in flexion but occasionally in extension) and hydrancepathy (kids have neurological deficits such as being dull, blind and having weak muscles). Treatment: None. Prevention: Vaccination in done in areas that have had previous infections. Vaccinate before breeding season. Contagious To Humans: no Contagious to Other Goats: no Diagnosis: clinical presentation and virus isolation from placenta. Links: Akabane Fact Sheet http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/akabane.pdf Akabane Power Point Slide Show http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/akabane.pdf Akabane Speaker's notes http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/DiseaseInfo/notes/akabane.pdf Akabane Vaccine http://apps.cfsph.iastate.edu/Vaccines/disease_list.php?diseaseID=4 |
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Alopecic
Exfoliative Dermatitis
(Summarized from Smith and Sherman, Goat Medicine Causative Agent: Psoriasiform dermatitis (psoriasis). May be hereditary. Clinical Signs: Hair loss, scales and crusts around the eyes, lips, chin, ears, belly and pubic area of Pygmy goats. Treatment: Steroids Prevention: none Contagious To Humans: no Contagious to Other Goats: no Links: |
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Anthrax
(Summarized from Smith and Sherman, Goat Medicine Causative Agent: Bacillus anthracis. Ability to produce spores that can live 50 years. Endemic in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Rare to find in goats in the U.S. Cases have been found in Texas. Also, a S. Carolina worker got it from handling cashmere goat hair imported from western Asia. Normal mode of transmission: Ingestion of spores while grazing Clinical Signs: Salivating, extremely depressed attitude, head hanging down. Over a period of 1-2 days become unable to stand, and die slowly. See a failure of the blood to clot. Will see bloody discharge from the nose and mouth after death. Do not touch or open carcass. DO NOT DO POST MORTEM EXAM. Veterinarian must report disease to state and federal authorities and they will examine and remove carcass. Treatment: Antiserum and /or antibiotics including tetracyclines, streptomycin and penicillin may be tried in early stages. Prevention: Vaccines are available and are used in areas of the world where this disease is common. They are given once a year. Contagious To Humans: yes Contagious to Other Goats: yes Links: Smith and Sherman, Goat Medicine p.208-209 Haskell, Small Ruminant Clinical diagnosis and Therapy p. 270 |
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BDV (Border Disease, Hairy shaker disease)
(Summarized from Smith and Sherman, Goat Medicine,
p.139-140 (basic information), 187 (retinal changes), 427 and 139 (abortion). Also Haskell, Small Ruminant
Clinical diagnosis and Therapy p. 270) Causative Agent: Border disease virus (BDV), Found in sheep and goats. Related to Bovine Virus Diarrhea (BVD) virus . Clinical Signs: Adult does show no clinical signs except early abortion, fetal resorption, mummification, infertility and stillbirths. The disease is spread by aerosol inhalation or ingestion. Kids are infected through the placenta of an infected mother. If kids live, they will be weak, have a pattern of rhythmic tremors or shaking starting in the rear legs, then the trunk and neck. Difficulty rising, and awkward gait. Appear weak, listless, depressed. The Long bones of the legs may feel thinner than usual, and the head appears to be narrow and convex in the frontal area. The disease is found in Norway only, although goats in other countries may have antibodies against the disease. Note: Vets familiar with Border Disease in lambs may expect to see changes in hair. Goat kids will not have the changes in hair that lambs have when exposed in utero. (P. 37 Smith.) Treatment: None. Prevention: Isolate all does that abort regardless of cause. Border disease virus is found in vaginal discharges after abortion or birthing. Diagnose on history of reproductive failure, occurrence of newborn shaker kids, and positive laboratory tests for the virus. Maintain goats away from cattle and sheep. Cull goats producing shaker kids. Bovine vaccines may not be effective. Contagious To Humans: no Contagious to Other Goats: - Links: Smith and Sherman, Goat Medicine, p. 139-140, 187 retinal changes, 427 and 139 abortion, Haskell, Small Ruminant Clinical diagnosis and Therapy p. 270) Border Disease in Goats http://www.ivis.org/advances/Disease_Tempesta/Loken/ivis.pdf |
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Black Mastitis (See Mastitis, Black) |
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Bloat
Two types:Frothy: caused by diets that promote froth. Free gas bloat: caused by diets that promote excessive gas production or by a failure to belch. (Summarized from Smith and Sherman, Goat Medicine, p.340 and Haskell, Small Ruminant Clinical diagnosis and Therapy p. 270. Additional information from Dr. Emma Ewing, DVM)  Picture from John Elfick, University of Queensland. UNESCO Goat Project for the Solomon Islands. Causative Agent: Accumulation of either froth or free gas in the rumen, which causes rumen distention Frothy bloat is usually associated with legume forages or hay, also grazing on lush cereal grain pastures, wet grass pastures, or high-grain diets too finely ground. The feeding of garden greens to animals on a dry hay diet may cause bloat. Frothy bloat can occur within hours of exposure to the offending feed or feeding situations. Free gas bloat occurs with grain diets, especially if the animals are not adapted to the diet. It can also be caused by a physical obstruction in the esophagus or other conditions such as internal abscesses, hypo-calcaemia, pain, or peritonitis. Clinical Signs: Goat will be anxious and uncomfortable and will stop eating. There is a progressive distension of the abdomen. As the abdomen enlarges, the goat becomes more uncomfortable, stamping feet, vocalizing, salivating, urinating frequently, and moving with a stilted gait. Breathing becomes labored, and if left untreated, animals will die. Treatment: Act right away. Bloat can kill very quickly. Free gas bloat can be relieved by passing a stomach tube. Frothy bloat: you must break the froth down first and then pass the stomach tube. Break down foam by giving cooking oil or mineral oil (100 cc. adult and 8 cc. to a young kid), or Bloat Guard®. Pass the feeding tube or use a calf bag and put the tip down the esophagus. For the calf feeding bag: If you are in the right place, you will not be able to see the tube on the outside of the throat. If the calf feeder bag tube is in the wrong place (may be in the trachea or windpipe by mistake), you will hear air movement and you can see the tube bulge out on the outside of the neck. If you are in the wrong place, remove it and try again. With the regular feeding tube, you should hear gurgling sounds if you are in the stomach, and breathing (air) movements if you are in the lung. If you are in the lung, remove the tube and reinsert it. make sure you are in the stomach before releasing the liquid. If liquid is released into the lung, it may cause pneumonia or drowning.. (See tube feeding instructions in the Medical section) Whatever tube you use, when the tube enters the stomach area, you should hear a big release of gas. If the goat is not better in twenty minutes, put the oil directly into the rumen by introducing an 18 gauge needle into the left paralumbar fossa. (see diagram on the left.) Place your fingertips on the goat's left side (Note: if you are facing him, it is your right side), halfway between the ribs and hips, and about 1/4 of the way down from the top line. This soft, hollow area high on either side below the loin is the paralumbar fossa. You should feel a hard mass. This is the rumen contents. (Kinne ] Note: this procedure may cause peritonitis and rumen dysfunction so try everything else first. If you must do it, then give 3-5 days of broad spectrum antibiotics afterward. Alternative treatment from Emma Ewing, DVM: (Kid) 2T baking soda in the same amount of warm water they are getting in their bottle, and a dash of dish soap. (Adult) 1/4 c. backing soda, 2 cups water and a squirt of dish soap. If no relief in 20 minutes. then puncture as directed above with 18 gauge needles and inject 8cc, of cooking oil or mineral oil for a kid, or 100 cc. for an adult.. Prevention: 1) Control intake of legume pasture and cereal crops in spring, by feeding hay first, then putting on pasture, and gradually increasing time on pasture. 2) Make sure goats can’t get into feed bin. 3) Feed all grains whole, halved or quartered. No finer than that. Contagious To Humans: No Contagious to Other Goats: No Links: Smith and Sherman, Goat Medicine, p.340. Haskell, Small Ruminant Clinical diagnosis and Therapy p. 270. Bloat http://www.sheepandgoat.com/news/august2004.html#IPM Bloat: Rumen Motility and Bloat Diagnosis http://kinne.net/rum-mot.htm |
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Blue Bag (See Mastitis, Black) |
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Blue Tongue
 Erosion and reddening of the mucosa (sheep photo) Photos taken by the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, and contributed to the CFSPH website at: Used with permission of CFSPH.  Light coronary band, small bruises (petechia) in hoof (sheep photo) Causative Agent: Orbi-virus carried by biting midges, sand flies, no see-ums, gnats, sheep keds, ticks and biting flies. The infection is usually sub-clinical in goats. That is, they usually have it in their body, but don't get a full blown case. There are exceptions, and there have been epidemics reported where goats get full-blown disease. Disease comes in warm months when insects are present. the virus may cross the placenta to fetuses, and it can be found in semen. . Clinical Signs: In the goat, most cases are limited to mild depression, temporary loss of appetite, fever up to 105 degrees (40.5 C), and engorgement of blood on the tissues of the mouth and nose. In more severe cases, fever and loss of appetite for 3-4 days, followed by engorgement of the lining of the mouth, with loss of tissue on the tongue, lips and gums, that can become open sores, and excess salivation. The face swells and there is a nasal discharge. Sometimes the goat will get diarrhea. Inflammation. swelling and blood engorgement develops in the coronal band above the hoof, leading to lameness. Walnut-sized eruptions may appear on the skin all over the body. This presentation is found only in goats. The disease runs it's course in 8-12 days. Treatment: There is no treatment to cure, but antibiotics may be given to prevent secondary infection.. Feed separately so they don't have to compete for food. Avoid sunlight. Quarantine the animal. Report to State Veterinarian. Prevention: Quarantine all new stock brought onto the farm. During warm months, animals should not graze in low-lying areas which may be wet, and may harbor the insects that carry the disease. Contagious To Humans: no Contagious to Other Goats: no Diagnose by: Paired sera titers, virus isolation, post-mortem exam Differentiate from: Foot and Mouth disease, goat pos, Orf, photosensitivity, Akabane. Links: Smith and Sherman, Goat Medicine, at p. 294-296 Haskell, Small ruminant Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy at p. 270 Bluetongue Fact Sheet Bluetongue Power Point Slide Show Bluetongue Speaker's notes Bluetongue Vaccine Bluetongue http://www.oie.int/eng/maladies/fiches/a_A090.htm Bluetongue |
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Border Disease (See BDV) |
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Brucellosis
(Summarized from Smith and Sherman Goat Medicine, at p.
423-424 (basic information), 444 (orchitis in bucks), and Haskell, Small Ruminant Clinical
Diagnosis and Therapy at p. 271)
Causative Agent: Brucella melintensis and Brucella abortis gram negative coccobacillus. Organism is excreted in milk, urine, feces, fetuses, and can be found in placenta and vaginal discharges for up to 2-3 months after birthing. Enters body through nose or through direct penetration through skin. Kids born alive to infected does are infected and capable of spreading the organism. Clinical Signs: Mid to late gestation abortions in stressed herds, often with nutritional parasitic disease left uncontrolled, though a mid to late abortion storm can be expected even in a well managed herd.. Treatment: Test and slaughter positive goats. Report to State Veterinarian. Prevention: Vaccinate goats, especially kids 3-8 months of age in areas where disease is commonly found: Middle East, India, China, parts of Latin America.. Contagious To Humans: Yes. Contagious to Other Goats: Yes. Diagnosis: confirmed by culture from placenta, fetus or vaginal discharge Links: Smith and Sherman Goat Medicine, at p. 423-424, 444 (orchitis in bucks). Haskell, Small Ruminant Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy at p. 271 Brucellosis Fact Sheet Brucellosis Speaker's Notes Brucellosis Power Point Slide Show Brucellosis Vaccine Brucellosis Haskell, Small Ruminant Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy, at p. 271, http://www.rmncsba.org/smallruminant.pdf Smith and Sherman, Goat Medicine, at p. 423-424, 444. |
