Meat Goat Herd Health – Common Diseases

Dr. Bruce Olcott – Louisiana State University

Dr. Lionel Dawson – Oklahoma State University

Unit Objective

After completion of this module of instruction the producer should be able to recognize signs and symptoms of diseases of reproductive system, muscular-skeletal system, skin, neurological system, urinary tract, gastrointestinal system, internal and external parasites, eye and toxicosis. The producer should be able to develop programs for prevention and provide treatment. The producer should be able to score a minimum of 85% on the module test.

Specific Objectives

After completion of this instructional module the producer should be able to:

  1. State reasons why goat producers should take goat diseases seriously.
  2. State the meaning of the term “zoonotic.”
  3. Select factors that may cause goats to abort.
  4. Distinguish between true and false statements related to reproductive diseases.
  5. Respond to statements related to muscular-skeletal diseases.
  6. Distinguish between true and false statements related to skin diseases.
  7. Identify causes of respiratory diseases.
  8. Respond to statements related to respiratory diseases.
  9. Respond to statements related to neurological diseases.
  10. Distinguish between true and false statements related to urinary tract diseases.
  11. Respond to statements related to diseases of gastrointestinal system.
  12. Respond to statements related to internal and external parasite diseases.
  13. Distinguish between true and false statements related to diseases of the eye.
  14. Respond to statements related to toxicosis.

Module Contents

  • Introduction
  • Reproductive Disease: Infectious Abortions
    • General
    • Chlamydiosis
    • Toxoplasmosis
    • Q-Fever
    • Brucellosis
    • Other abortion-causing diseases
  • Musculo-Skeletal Diseases
    • Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE)
    • Contagious footrot
    • Nutritional muscular dystrophy, white muscle disease
  • Skin Diseases
    • Caseous lymphadenitis, pseudotuberculosis, abscesses
    • Contagious ecthyma, sore mouth, orf
    • Dermatophilosus, streptothricosis, rain scald
    • Ringworm
  • Caprine Respiratory Disease
    • Lower Respiratory Tract Diseases
        Enzootic pneumonia

      • Pasteurella
      • Mycoplasma pneumonia
      • Verminous pneumonias
    • Upper Respiratory Tract Diseases
      • Irritants, trachea injury
      • Nasal bots
  • Neurologic Diseases
    • Tetanus
    • Polioencephalomalacia, PEM, cerebrocortical necrosis
    • Floppy kid syndrome
    • Listeriosis, circling disease
    • Scrapie
  • Urinary Tract Disease
    • Obstructive urolithiasis, urinary calculi, stones
  • Diseases of the Gastrointestinal System
    • Diarrhea, scours (Neonatal Diarrhea Complex)
    • Enterotoxemia, overeating disease
    • Milk fever, parturient paresis, hypocalcemia
    • Paratuberculosis, Johne’s disease
    • Pregnancy toxemia, ketosis
    • Acidosis, carbohydrate engorgement, grain overload
    • Bloat, ruminal tympany
  • Internal and External Parasitic Diseases
    • Coccidiosis
    • Cryptosporidiosis
    • Stomach and intestinal worms
    • Mange
    • Lice
  • Diseases of the Eye
    • Pinkeye, infectious keratoconjunctivitis
  • Toxicosis
    • Azalae, rhododendron, laurel poisoning
    • Fescue toxicity
    • Hydrocyanic acid poisoning
    • Nitrate poisoning
    • Selenium toxicity
    • Photosensitization
    • Abortions and fetal defects
    • Liver damage
    • Kidney damage
    • Central nervous system effects
    • Aflatoxins
  • Genetic Conditions
    • Intersex condition, hermaphrodite
  • Zoonotic Diseases
    • Transmission and susceptibility
    • Prevention
    • Some important zoonotic diseases of goats
  • Conclusion
  • References

    • PDF Versions

    You may download this module in PDF format.

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