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Bacterial Pneumonia in Goats
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| Introduction |
| Pneumonia is one of the most common respiratory
problems in small ruminants throughout the world. In goat herds,
pneumonia increases production costs associated with expensive
treatments. Although pneumonia often occurs in kids, illness
and deaths also occur in adult animals. |
Pneumonia occurs when infectious
and non-infectious agents cause the lungs of goats to become
inflamed. The most frequent causes of respiratory infection
and death are Pasteurella multocida or Mannheimia haemolytica
(previously called Pasteurella haemolytica). P. multocida
and M. haemolytica are commonly found in the upper respiratory
tract of healthy goats. M. haemolytica are subdivided in two
groups, A and T. Type A is most prevalent and is associated
with a severe form of pneumonia. Goats that survive an acute
stage may recover or become chronically infected with reduced
lung capacity. Pneumonia caused by P. multocida and M. haemolytica
can lead to significantly decreased growth performance. These
two pathogens (agents that cause disease) cause outbreaks
of acute pneumonia in goats of all ages. Respiratory infections
from these pathogens are associated with poor management practices,
occur as a secondary infection, or occur as a consequence
of severe stress. Transportation stress, viral infections
(e.g., parainfluenza-3 virus), lung parasites, prior bacterial
infections, overcrowded pens, poor housing conditions, sudden
environmental changes, and other stressful conditions increase
goats' susceptibility to P. multocida and M. haemolytica pneumonias. |
Goat with nasal mucopurulent
discharge |
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Bacterial, viral, and parasitic
infections break down goats' tissue defense barriers. Loss
of this natural protection increases the goat's susceptibility
to secondary infection by P. multocida and M. haemolytica.
Animals whose lungs are already weakened from previous diseases
will suffer from leukotoxins and lipopolysaccharides, both
potent toxins that, in high levels, promote inflammation and
severe lung damage. In kids, acute outbreaks can occur with
low morbidity rates but high mortality rates. Typically, several
kids that appear healthy die suddenly. Signs of the disease
may not be noticed until later, after several animals have
died. |
| Optimal conditions for pneumonia caused by P.
multocida and M. haemolytica include the following: |
| Viral diseases
Sudden environmental changes
High air humidity
Poor hygiene and barn ventilation
Severe internal parasites (worms and coccidia)
CL (caseous limphadenitis) infections
Poor nutritional management, undernourishment, or sudden change
in diet
Transportation stress
Crowded pens with poor ventilation, or where animals have been
relocated or transported can cause outbreaks. |
| Signs of Pneumonia |
| Fever with temperature of 104 degrees F (40
degrees C) to 106 degrees F (41 degrees C)
Moist, painful cough, dyspnea (difficulty in breathing). Examination
of the lungs may reveal cracklelike sounds, along with nasal
and ocular mucopurulent discharge
Anorexia (loss of appetite)
Depression |
| Diagnosis |
Diagnosis is based on clinical
signs and herd history. Dead animals can be used for a definitive
diagnosis. Isolation and culture of the bacteria harvested
from a tracheal wash and from pulmonary secretions can be
used to isolate and identify the causal agent. A necropsy
of lobes from the lungs will show hemorrhagic (bloody) secretion,
and possibly pus and dead tissue lesions. Diagnostic labs
also use the polynucleotide chain reaction (PCR) technique,
which can be costly, and immunohistochemical techniques. These
analyses are valuable in identifying causal agents and determining
treatment and preventive methods. Consult a veterinarian for
diagnosis of small ruminant pneumonia. The veterinarian can
also assist in the necropsy and in sending samples to a diagnostic
laboratory for further analysis. |
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A recropsy of lobes from the lungs will show hemorrhagic
(bloody) secretion, and possibly pus and dead tissue lesions.
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| Treatment |
Medicines effective in treating
pneumonia in goats include penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline,
oxytetracycline, tylosin, florfenicol, and ceftiofur. Ceftiofur
(Naxcel is the Pharmacia & Upjohn product trade name)
is the only FDA-approved antibiotic to treat caprine pneumonia.
The daily dosage is 0.5 to 1.0 mg/lb body weight injected
intramuscularly for three days. Consult the manufacturer's
guide for complete product usage and storage instructions.
Probiotics are recommended after antibiotics to promote regrowth
of the normal rumen microflora (bacteria and protozoa populations).
With the exception of ceftiofur, the FDA
has not approved the antibiotics discussed for treating goats.
Their use is considered extra-labeled, requiring consultation
with a veterinarian for product usage and guidance. |
| Prevention |
Vaccinate the herd, a systematic vaccination
of the entire herd is advised. The FDA has approved a P. multocida
- M. hemolyticum vaccine for use in goats from Colorado Serum
Company. The product label provides recommendations for vaccinating
goat kids up to six months of age. For complete product usage
and storage consult the manufacturer's guide. This vaccine
may cause temporary limping in a few goats.
Improve management practices by providing optimal sanitation
and air quality in housing.
Minimize transportation stress.
Quarantine new animals before introducing them into the existing
herd.
Administer trace minerals, such as Cu, Se, and Zn, to enhance
immune function. Adding vitamin E to receiving diets at pharmacological
levels (e.g., > 1,000 IU/animal daily) also seems to be
beneficial.
Provide good quality hay and water, and supplement as appropriate.
Consult a veterinarian to prescribe and administer a decongestant
and anti-histaminic drugs to reduce lung congestion.
Keep sick goats in a dry, well-ventilated location away from
the rest of the herd. |
Goat with nasal mucopurulent
discharge |
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References
Ackermann, M. R. & Brogden, K. A. (2000). Responses of
the ruminant respiratory tract to Mannheimia (Pasteurella)
haemolytica. Microbes and Infection, 2(9), 1079-1088.
Berge A. C., Sischo, W. M., & Craigmill,
A. L. (2006). Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of respiratory
tract pathogens from sheep and goats. Journal of the American
Veterinary Medical Association, 229(8), 1279-1281.
Brogden, K. A., Lehmkuhl, H. D., & Cutlip,
R. C. (1998). Pasteurella haemolytica complicated respiratory
infections in sheep and goats. Veterinary Research, 29(3-4),
233-254.
Daniel, J. A., Held, J. E., Brake, D. G.,
Wulf, D. M., & Epperson, W. B. (2006). Evaluation of the
prevalence and onset of lung lesions and their impact on growth
of lambs. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 67(5),
890-894.
Duff, G. C., & Galyean, M. L. (2006).
Recent advances in management of highly stressed newly received
feedlot cattle. Journal of Animal Science.
Oros, J., Fernandez, A., Rodriguez, J. L.,
& Poveda, J. B. (1997). Bacteria associated with enzootic
pneumonia in goats. Zentralblatt für Veterinärmedizin.
Reihe, Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Series B, 44(2), 99-104.
Merck & Company. (2006). Pasteurellosis
of Sheep and Goats: Introduction. Merck Manual.Whitehouse
Station, NJ: Merck & Company.
Ramirez-Romero, R., & Brogden, K. A.
The potential role of the Arthus and Shwartzmanreactions in
the pathogenesis of pneumonic pasteurellosis. Inflammation
Research, 49(3), 98-101.
Young, J. D., Jr., & Griffith, J. W.
(1985). Spontaneous Pasteurella pneumonia in adultlaboratory
goats complicated by superinfection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
and Muellerius capillaris. Laboratory Animal Science, 35(4),
409-411. |
| Maria Lenira Leite-Browning, DVM, MS, Extension
Animal Scientist, Alabama A&M University |
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