Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL)
There are two forms of CL, the internal form and the external form. It is caused by a bacterium and can survive in the soil.
Symptoms:
- Abscesses on lymph nodes
- Cheese-like consistency in puss
- If internal, abscesses on organs and inside lymph nodes
- Fever
There is no treatment for CL. If you find an abscess on your goat, especially near the jaw or neck – you need to call the vet!
Prevention:
- Vaccination
- Do not bring untested goats onto farm.
- Sporadic testing of your own herd
- Cull goats with CL
There are two forms of this, the internal form and the external form. It is caused by bacteria and can survive in the soil. You will need to cull any goats that develop CL, and may need to cull your entire herd.
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE)
CAE is a Retro Virus
Symptoms:
- Swelling of joints
- Atrophied muscles
- Seizures
- Hindquarter weakness
- Death
There is no treatment for CAE.
Prevention
- Test goats for CAE
- Do not bring untested goats onto farm.
- Sporadic testing of herd
- Cull goats with CAE.
Johne’s Disease
Johne’s Disease affects the small intestine. It can be spread sexually, through milk, placenta, feces, and affected grazing areas.
Symptoms
- Wasting
- Eating but gaining no weight
- Feces that is clumpy
- Diarrhea in end stage
There is No treatment
The worst thing about this disease, is that transmission usually happens during the first few months of age, but it is undetectable until they are a few years old.
Prevention:
- Cull infected goats immediately.
- Improved Biosecurity and regular herd testing.
- Only buy from tested herds.
Chlamydiosis
Warning – This CAN spread to humans.
Symptoms:
- Weak kids
- Stillbirths
- Abortion
- Retained placenta.
- Sometimes polyarthritis and conjunctivitis
Treatment:
- Antibiotics at discretion of veterinarian
Prevention:
- Herd testing
- Require recent testing of other goats before they come near your farm and herd.
White Muscle Disease
White Muscle Disease is a Degenerative disease that affects skeletal and/or cardiac muscles. It is more commonly seen in young and/or fast-growing kids. Heart damage is common in goats that survive.
Symptoms in Skeletal Muscles:
- Stiffness in gait
- Trembling
- Weakness
Symptoms in Cardiac Muscles:
- Fever
- Heightened rates of respiration and heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Frothy, sometimes bloody, discharge from nose
Treatment:
- Vitamin E and selenium supplements can be administered at therapeutic levels at discretion of veterinarian.
Prevention:
- Selenium and vitamin E dietary supplements (see article on Nutrition)
- Injectable selenium at discretion of veterinarian
- Know whether your soil is deficient in Selenium.
Summary
After reading through this info, I am very aware of the importance of Biosecurity on the ranch. Ideally you want to have a closed herd, but if that is not possible, any new animals need to be tested and quarantined.
