Common Diseases in Goats to Watch For

Although goats are not common companion pets, their curious and friendly nature makes them great companions. If you’re the proud owner of goats, then it’s important to know about common diseases that affect goats so you can be prepared: 

 

• Brucellosis: Brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial infections in goats, and can cause stillbirths or miscarriages in goats. Humans can be affected by brucellosis either through direct contact with the placenta or any other discharge at the time of birth or miscarriage and can suffer from fever, sweats, headache, fatigue, and muscle pain. The disease can also be present in the milk of infected goats. 

 

• Caseous lymphadenitis (CL): Caseous lymphadenitis is caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The goat can become infected through the pus of an infected animal. One of the common signs of CL is the formation of abscesses around the lymph nodes. These abscesses contain thick, yellowish-green pasty pus with a foul odor

 

• Coccidiosis: Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease that affects the intestinal tract of goats. The most common signs to appear are bloody watery diarrhea, dehydration, poor appetite, and hemorrhages.

 

• Sore mouth: Sore mouth is also known as contagious Ecthyma or Orf. The main symptoms of this disease are blisters on the nose, lips, eyelids, and ears. The blisters are so painful that infected animals cannot eat properly. Sore mouth is a zoonotic disease, which means it can also infect humans.

 

• Enterotoxemia: Enterotoxemia, also known as pulpy kidney disease or overeating disease, is caused by a bacterial imbalance. The bacteria that cause this disease are a normal part of the intestine, but due to certain conditions such as a sudden change in diet, these bacteria reproduce rapidly and produce many toxins.

 

Animal Hospital on Milam Road

As a goat parent, it may be difficult to find high-quality care for these precious creatures. If you’re in the Denton, Sanger, and Krum areas, visit Animal Hospital on Milam Road. If you suspect your pet may have any of the infections above, schedule an appointment immediately.