Tetanus

Tetanus is an important and highly fatal disease of goats. It occurs commonly in all ages of unexposed and unvaccinated farm animals with the horse most susceptible and the cow the least. The causative agent, Clostridium tetani, is found in soil and feces (particularly of horses) and is capable of surviving in soil for prolonged periods of time. C. tetani usually enters a body through deep puncture wounds and, following an incubation period, produces a neurotoxin that travels to the central nervous system. Some management practices that may increase the chance for tetanus infection include castration, ear tagging, dehorning, vaccinating, and banding. Elastrator bands are particularly dangerous in predisposing animals to tetanus.

Signs and symptoms

Following an incubation period of 1 to 3 wks (up to several months) the following signs develop:

• Muscular stiffness/tremor.
• Jaw clenching, lockjaw.
• Unsteady gait due to stiffness of the limbs.
• Stiff tail.
• Bloat/constipation/retention of urine.
• Difficulty in eating.
• Anxious expression of the face.
• “Sawhorse” stance.
• Lying down with convulsions.
• Death in 3-10 days by asphyxiation (unable to breathe).

Treatment, prevention, and control

Wounds should be cleaned and open to the air to keep them aerobic (exposed to oxygen). Any dead tissue should be removed and the wound flushed with hydrogen peroxide. Give penicillin and tetanus antitoxin injections (15,000 IU twice daily, preferably in the vein, for 2 days for an adult goat). Convulsions and seizures can be controlled by sedatives given under the supervision of a veterinarian. Tetanus antitoxin is used for treatment, before surgical procedures, or after any wound. Tetanus toxoid is used for vaccinations.

Prevention consists of good hygiene and vaccination. Pens and barns should be clean. Routine vaccination with tetanus toxoid must be incorporated into the herd health program (see the Vaccination Schedule for Meat Goats in the chapter on Meat Goat Herd Health – Procedures and Prevention) and should include:

• Does – third trimester of pregnancy to increase tetanus antibodies in colostrum.
• Kids 4 and 8 weeks of age.
• All animals annual booster.

Polioencephalomalacia, PEM, cerebrocortical necrosis

Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) is a common nervous disorder of small ruminants caused by inadequate thiamine (vitamin B1) in the animal. Thiamine is a necessary component of several enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Normally, the bacteria in the rumen produce enough thiamine for an animal’s needs. However, under certain conditions thiamine production may decrease and(or) available thiamine may be destroyed leading to a deficiency and the appearance of PEM signs. While outbreaks can be seen following any major dietary change, animals at the highest risk for PEM are young goats, usually 2 months to 3 years of age, who have just begun consuming high concentrate rations or grazing lush pasture. Up to 25% of groups of feeder goats may be involved.

There is little evidence to show any one factor as being “the cause” of PEM and probably a variety of factors are involved including:

1. Inadequate thiamine in the diet.
2. Inadequate microbial synthesis of thiamine in the rumen.
3. Presence of thiaminase (compounds that breakdown thiamine) activity in forages such as moldy hay.
4. Presence of thiaminase producing bacteria in the rumen (Bacillus sp. and Clostridium sporogenes).
5. Ingestion of pyrimidine containing structural analogs of thiamine (amprolium) that compete with thiamine in metabolic systems.
6. Increased tissue demand for thiamine in the brains of young animals on high carbohydrate rations.
7. High levels of sulfates in the diet.
8. Deworming with levamisole may predispose animals to PEM.

Signs and symptoms

Signs include stargazing, sudden loss of appetite, depression, decreased rumen motility, head pressing, aimless wandering, blindness, grinding of teeth, muscle tremors, and excitability. Typically, there is no fever and pulse and respiration are normal.

Treatment, prevention, and control

Thiamine HCl (10 – 20 mg/kg body weight [BW] intramuscular injection) is given every three hours for a total of five doses. Early cases respond within 6 to 8 hours with complete recovery in 24 hours. Absence of response in 6 to 8 hours may suggest the need for emergency slaughter. Animals not recovered by 72 hours will never fully recover but with good nursing care may make satisfactory pet animals. During an outbreak all animals should be considered at risk and treated appropriately.

Avoid sudden dietary changes. Thiamine may be added to feed at a minimum rate of 3 mg/kg of feed. During an outbreak all susceptible goats should receive a dose of thiamine 10 mg/kg BW.

Floppy kid syndrome

Floppy kid syndrome often refers to any kid that is normal at birth but then develops a sudden onset of muscular weakness early in life, generally from 3 to 10 days of age. This syndrome is increasingly seen in normal, healthy Boer goat kids that suddenly develop the disease and do not recover. The cause is unknown. While several kids may be affected simultaneously, it is not known if an infectious agent is responsible.

Signs and symptoms

Affected kids are normal at birth and develop a sudden onset of profound muscular weakness and muscle incoordination at 3 to 10 days of age. Some kids are described as “looking drunk.” Cases seem to occur most commonly late in kidding seasons. Affected kids are depressed and cannot use their tongues to suckle but can swallow. The kids have acidosis and an abnormal acid base balance. They do not suffer diarrhea, respiratory disease, or show other signs.

Treatment, prevention, and control

Early detection and correction of the electrolyte imbalance as well as good supportive care are critical. Less severe cases are most commonly treated by owners with oral bicarbonate or Pepto-Bismol at the onset of signs. Two teaspoons of baking soda and a half a teaspoon of common salt in 1 liter (1 quart) of water can be mixed and 2 to 3 ounces given orally 2 to 3 times a day. Kids may need to be fed milk by stomach tube.

Listeriosis, circling disease

Listeriosis is caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes that can affect all mammals including humans. In goats it is called “Circling Disease” because affected animals commonly walk compulsively in a circle. It can also cause mid- to late-term abortions. The bacteria are found in the environment, especially in rotting vegetation such as poorly prepared silage. Infection is usually caused by ingesting the organism through environmental or fecal contamination of feedstuffs. There is the possibility of venereal transmission. The disease is mostly seen during cool weather. It is also a disease of refrigerated foods causing serious disease and abortions in humans.

Signs and symptoms

Early signs are depression, decreased appetite, decreased milk production, and fever. There are two clinical forms seen:

1. Encephalitic Form (in the brain): In this form, the bacteria enter through breaks in oral mucosa and migrate to the brain. Signs include incoordination, circling in the same direction, seizures, hind limb paralysis, facial nerve disorders (facial paralysis, ear droop, excessive salivation, slack jaw, impaired swallowing), keratitis (cornea inflammation), and a very high mortality rate.
2. Septicemic Form (blood-borne): The bacteria enter through the intestines. The signs are diarrhea, abortion, and death.

Treatment, prevention, and control

Successful treatment requires detection early in the course of the disease. Large doses of antibiotics such as penicillin and tetracycline are generally given. The goat should be given fluids, electrolytes, and appropriate nursing care.

Does that abort should be isolated and all aborted materials burned or buried. Kids should only be fed pasteurized colostrum or milk. Suspect recently introduced animals. Stop feeding poor quality silage and clean floors and pens. No vaccine is currently available.

This disease is zoonotic so take appropriate precautions. Human infection could result from consumption of unpasteurized milk and milk products and from handling the placenta, fetuses, or even newborn kids of infected animals. Precautions include using gloves when handling aborted material and only consuming milk products from pasteurized milk

Scrapie

Scrapie is a progressive, degenerative, fatal disease of the central nervous system that affects sheep and, rarely, goats. The route of transmission appears to be both horizontal (from goat to goat) and vertical (from doe to kid in the uterus). The incubation period for the disease is very long and the disease is usually not seen before two years of age. Scrapie is a reportable disease, meaning that authorities must be notified when affected animals are discovered. Scrapie is a member of the family of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies of which Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly called Mad Cow Disease, is the most well-known. The zoonotic potential (transmission to humans) is unknown.

Signs and symptoms

Initial signs of scrapie are non-specific and include behavior changes, excitability, lethargy, and weight loss. As the disease progresses the behavioral changes become more pronounced. Tremors of the head, neck, or whole body, high-stepping with the front legs, excessive salivation, apparent blindness, and other changes will occur. Death will follow.

Treatment, prevention, and control

There is no treatment. If scrapie is suspected, contact a veterinarian immediately. There is a (National Scrapie Eradication Program) for goat producers. More information can be found in the chapter on Biosecurity.

Next
Module Home
Certification Table of Contents
Browsing Table of Contents