UNP-0091 Bacterial Pneumonia in Goats
Bacterial Pneumonia in Goats
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.
![](pneumonia.jpg) |
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A recropsy of lobes from the lungs will show
hemorrhagic (bloody) secretion, and possibly pus and dead tissue
lesions. |
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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![](pneumonia3.JPG) |
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
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
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