BACKYARD

What you need to know about common goat ailments

 

• Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE)

• Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP)

• Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL)

• Paratuberculosis (Johne’s Disease)

• Brucellosis

• Q Fever

• Toxoplasmosis

• Chagas (Trypanosoma cruzi)

• G6S - ​Caprine Mucopolysaccharideosis-IIID

 

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Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) is a disease of goats caused by a retrovirus which is closely related to the OPP virus of sheep. As in sheep, there is no known cure. Clinically infected goats often develop arthritis of the knees resulting in swollen, painful joints. Young goats may also exhibit a neurological syndrome consisting of progressive paralysis and other symptoms of brain involvement. It is important to note that many infected goats never show significant symptoms. Although these “carrier” animals remain asymptomatic, they are a source of infection for other goats in the herd.

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The economic effects of CAE in goat herds are loss of up to 25-30% in milk production, early culling, a shorter life span and reduced growth of offspring

The primary source of infection is through the colostrum and milk. Rarely direct transmission can occur through animal contact. In utero infection (i.e. doe to unborn kid) is not common. Since a vaccine is not available, identification of positive animals followed by isolation and/or culling is the most effective method to control spread of the disease. Additionally, heat treatment of colostrum and milk to kill virus has been used extensively to break the cycle of doe to kid infection.

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Control programs should include testing the entire herd every six months until 2 consecutive negative tests are achieved. Subsequently, annual herd testing should be performed to prevent re infection of the herd. Any new additions to the herd should be tested and found negative.

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The PAVL ELISA test for CAE utilizes 2 detection antigens for increased sensitivity. The first antigen is a recombinant protein developed at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center which is particularly suited for detecting recently infected animals. The second is a synthetic peptide antigen developed in conjunction with research done at the Pasteur Institute, Paris, France. This antigen provides the best sensitivity for chronic infection and is a good predictor for which animals will develop arthritis.

In addition to the blood test for CAE, PAVL is able to test colostrum samples for CAE. The high concentration of antibodies in colostrum increases the detection capability of the test and makes sample collection very convenient.

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Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP) is a disease of sheep caused by a retrovirus. Many retroviruses suppress the immune system, pre-disposing the animal to secondary infections; and once infected, there is no known cure.

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Clinical symptoms appear slowly and are more commonly reported in older sheep (3-4 years old). The symptoms include progressive emaciation, labored breathing, predisposition to secondary bacterial pneumonia, indurative mastitis (hardbag), and arthritis.

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Economic effects of this disease in sheep are reduced productivity arising from early culling, a shorter life span and reduced growth of offspring. The primary method of infection is through the colostrum and milk, although direct transmission can occur when animals are kept in close confinement. It is important to note that in utero infection (ewe to unborn lamb) is rare.

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Since there is no vaccine for OPP, most breeders depend on identification and isolation of infected animals. Lambs of infected animals may be isolated before nursing and bottle fed non-infectious milk.

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The American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners recommends testing lambs at six month intervals followed by culling or segregation of positive animals. Any new additions to the flock should also be tested and found negative. An ELISA test for OPP is now available through PAVL for routine testing or flock clean-up programs.

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Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) is a disease common to many species but is of particular significance to sheep and goats. This bacterial infection, which is also known as infectious abcesses, is caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Abscess of superficial lymph nodes is the most obvious clinical symptom. However, visceral nodes and organs such as the lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen may also be involved.

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Animals gradually become emaciated and lose reproductive efficiency. The economic impact of this disease may be through reduced wool production in sheep or reduced milk production in dairy goats. Economic losses may also occur through carcass trimming and condemnation at slaughter, reduced body weight, and reduced value of goat hides. Animals from infected herds may also have lower value as a replacement stock. This will be important as certification programs for disease free flocks and herds are developed.

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In sheep transmission of this disease occurs primarily through contamination of wounds at shearing time or when injuries are incurred around water and feed troughs. In goats oral contamination (licking) leads to infected lymph nodes in the jaw and neck area. An effective vaccine is now available for sheep and goats. Since vaccinated animals cannot be differentiated from infected animals, animals should be tested prior to vaccination and the flock divided into positive and negative units.

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All new additions to the flock/herd should be tested before vaccination in order to minimize the risk of contamination by an infected by asymptomatic animal. The ELISA available through PAVL detects antibodies specific for the cell wall of the causative bacteria as well as the toxin which this bacteria produces. This test has proven to be both sensitive and effective in the early detection of CL for both sheep and goats.

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Paratuberculosis (Johne’s Disease) is a disease common to all ruminanats. The etiologic agent, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, localizes in the small intestine. As the disease progresses, the lining of the small intestine and large intestine becomes thickened and the animal is unable to absorb nutrients. The feces may lose their characteristic pellet appearance and become pasty or softer than normal. Depression and labored breathing in goats and shedding of wool in sheep are other symptoms. Affected animals often succumb to other bacterial and viral infections.

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Johne’s disease may be transmitted in utero, by ingestion of milk or colostrum from infected animals, or by ingestion of contaminated water or feed. Very young animals are most susceptible to infection.

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Intervention strategies should include identification and segregation of infected animals to prevent contamination of clean areas, especially the lambing or kidding areas. The separation of offspring at birth is not effective in controlling the disease. Offspring from infected animals should not be retained for breeding or sold for replacements. Flock/herd management is essential to reduce or to eradicate infection with Johne’s disease.

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Johne’s disease has a very long incubation period. Infection may occur before birth or in animals less than 30 days old, but symptoms generally do not appear until animals are over two years old. AGID and complement fixation tests are effective in detecting infected animals only at the very terminal stages of the disease. The sensitivity of ELISA tests allow earlier detection of infected animals which can than be segregated from the non infected animals to prevent the spread of this disease. The PAVL Johne’s test is simple, rapid, sensitive, and especially useful for herd control and management of Johne’s Disease.

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Brucellosis / Brucella Ovis is a disease affecting breeding rams. The most obvious symptoms are swelling and hardness of the testicles associated with orchitis. Other palpable abnormalities in the epididymis and accessory sex glands are also detectable. The disease results in reduced fertility, prolonged lambing season, increased number of barren ewes, and excessive costs to replace infected rams. The disease is transmitted primarily through homosexual activity among rams in common housing. Identification and removal of infected animals is the most effective strategy for eliminating this disease. All breeding rams should be evaluated for presence of the disease on a regular basis. Palpation and culture is less effective than ELISA testing. Once a herd has been freed of this disease, a producer should purchase animals only from flocks that are proven negative by ELISA. PAVL offers a highly sensitive ELISA for the detection of antibodies to B.ovis in rams. B. Melintesis.

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Q fever is a bacterial disease caused by infection with Coxiella burnettii. The infection occurs in many species including sheep, goats and man. In sheep and goats this disease causes late term abortions or weakened lambs and kids. The disease is of especial concern because it is highly infectious for man and causes very serious and often life threatening illness. Health problems known to be caused by Q Fever include immediate hypersensitive response including rash, and fever. Severe respiratory distress, which can result in death, is attributed to Q Fever. The effect of chronic Coxiella burnettii infection is degradation of the valves of the heart and eventually heart failure.

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While Q Fever has detrimental economic effects due to lowered kidding and lambing rates and lower growth rates of infected animals, the major concern is human health problems. Birthing fluids and membranes from infected animals typically contain high levels of infectious organisms, which can be transmitted by simple contact. Contact is likely to occur with stillborn or weak lambs or kids. Handling and resuscitation of newborn or stillborn kids or lambs is an excellent opportunity to become infected.

 

In order to avoid these human health hazards it is important to test each animal in the herd annually for Q Fever infection.

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Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by infection with Toxoplasma gondii. The infection occurs in many species including sheep, goats and man. In sheep and goats this disease causes late term abortions or weakened lambs and kids. The disease is of especial concern because it is highly infectious for humans. Toxoplasmosis in pregnant women results in severe birth defects or death of the fetus. This disease has been closely associated with cats and has been called “Cat Box Disease”. Feces, milk and birthing fluids from infected animals serve as sources for infection and should be handled with care. The PAVL ELISA test for Toxoplasmosis accurately identifies infected animals and allows for safe handling.

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Chagas Disease also called American trypanosomiasis) is a tropical parasitic disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. T. cruzi is commonly transmitted to humans and other mammals by an insect vector, the blood-sucking “kissing bugs” of the subfamily Triatominae (family Reduviidae), most commonly from species belonging to the Triatoma, Rhodnius, and Panstrongylus genera.

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The disease may also be spread through blood transfusion and organ transplantation, ingestion of food contaminated with parasites, and from a mother to her fetus.

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The symptoms of Chagas disease vary over the course of an infection. In the early, acute stage, symptoms are mild and usually produce no more than local swelling at the site of infection. The initial acute phase is responsive to antiparasitic treatments, with 60–90% cure rates. After 4–8 weeks, individuals with active infections enter the chronic phase of Chagas disease, which is asymptomatic for 60–80% of chronically infected individuals through their lifetime.

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G6S - ​Caprine Mucopolysaccharideosis-IIID is a lysosomal storage disorder, caused by a genetic mutation (a point mutation) which results in a defective G6S (N-Acetylglucosamine-6-sulfatase) enzyme. G6-Sulfatase deficiency is an inherited metabolic defect that occurs in Nubian goats and related crosses. A mutation in the G6-S gene renders the enzyme incapable of degrading complex  polysaccharides known as heparin-sulfate glycosaminoglycans (HS-GAGs) which then abnormally accumulate in tissues such as central nervous system and viscera. Clinically, affected goats exhibit delayed motor development, growth retardation, and early death. The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. Therefore, both sexes are equally affected and two copies of the defective gene must be present for signs of the disorder to be observed. Breeding two carrier goats, which are normal but each possesses a single copy of the mutation, is predicted to produce 25% affected offspring.

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The only method for testing for this genetic defect is with a DNA test identifying the causative point mutation. Breeders can use results from the test as a tool for selection of mating pairs to avoid producing affected kids. The test is recommended for Nubian goats and breeds derived from Nubian stock.

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Goats should be tested prior to breeding to minimize the risk of future kids born with this heritable defect. G6S deficient goats may present with neurological deficiencies, which negatively affects growth and development, and can often lead to early death.

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Ready for Dairy Goat Ownership? When purchasing animals, it is important to ask for breeders for tests/results. Many breeders will test for an additional fee. Some breeders can also show you past results. It is often well worth the cost and effort to insure the health of your herd.

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Looking for a place to have testing done?

Here are some resources...

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Pan American Vet Labs

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Veterinary Genetics Laboratory

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TVMDL