Back From the Vet: Treating Pneumonia in Goats
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When it comes to treating pneumonia in goats, owners need to be attentive to their animals and learn to quickly recognize the signs.
Livestock owners learn to be attentive to their animals’ sounds — the happy munching of feed, the calling for their offspring, or the feed bringer. Some sounds, however, make the ears prick and lead to a careful inspection of critters. A repetitive “cough-cough-cough” from the goat pen is a sound that should warrant further investigation.
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is one of several medical conditions that can result in coughing, though coughing is not always present. Some animals with pneumonia will only be lethargic or feverish, with others can be heard coughing from across the farm. Other symptoms include a rapid respiratory rate and decreased feed intake. Taking goats’ vital signs can lead to earlier identification of animals with pneumonia as well as other illnesses. The normal temperature of a goat should range from 101.0 to 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and the normal respiratory rate is anywhere from 12-24 breaths per minute. Having a thermometer in your health kit and being able to assess the respiratory pattern of animals can help ensure that sick animals are identified sooner.
The normal temperature of a goat should range from 101.0 to 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and the normal respiratory rate is anywhere from 12-24 breaths per minute.
Pneumonia in goats can be bacterial, viral, or even parasitic. Identifying the underlying cause of pneumonia is imperative for successful treatment. Bacterial pneumonia is often caused by an overgrowth of bacteria that normally live in the goat’s respiratory tract. This overgrowth occurs when an animal is stressed and their immune system cannot fend off the bacteria. Stressors that can lead to pneumonia in goats include travel, poor air quality, aspiration of feed items into the lungs, concurrent viral illness, and even poor nutrition.
Treating Pneumonia in Goats
Common bacteria known to cause pneumonia in goats are Mannheimia hemolytic, Pasteurella multocida, Chlamydia sp, and Mycoplasma sp. Outside the United States, Mycoplasma capricolum capripneumonia, the causative agent of contagious caprine pleural pneumonia, is a very aggressive bacterial infection that can cause severe losses in infected goat herds. Other Mycoplasma species, though present in the United States, are far less aggressive.
Treating pneumonia in goats infected with bacterial pneumonia involves appropriate antibiotics and supportive care. With the advent of GFI #263, all antibiotic treatments in the U.S. will require a veterinary prescription. Ensure appropriate care by identifying sick animals in your herd and working closely with your veterinarian.
Viruses can also cause pneumonia in goats. Just like with bacteria, animals under stress are more likely to be susceptible to infection with the bacteria. Parainfluenza, adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial viruses are often the culprits, particularly in younger animals. In older animals, the lentivirus, Caprine arthritis and encephalitis virus can also cause pneumonia. This virus, in particular, has no treatment. Supportive care can be provided, but the virus causes progressive lung damage. Viral infection is treated with supportive care, such as anti-inflammatories and fluid therapy. If a secondary bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotics are also used.
The Link Between Parasites and Pneumonia
Parasites, or more particularly lungworms, can also cause pneumonia in goats. The nematodes Dictyocaulus filaria, D. eckerti, Protostrongylus rufescens, and Muellerius capillaris can affect goats. They are found most commonly in temperate climates with lots of moisture. The adults of these parasites lay eggs within the lungs, causing inflammation and irritation. The eggs are then coughed up by the animal, ingested, and spread through the feces. Thus, one of the characteristic signs of lungworm infection is coughing. The parasitic larva can be identified within feces using the Baermann technique.
Treatment of this parasite involves the use of a targeted deworming program. Severely affected animals may also have secondary bacterial infections and require treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Rotate away from infected pasture and thoroughly clean manure from dry lots to help prevent re-infection. Young and non-exposed animals most affected by this parasite.
The anti-parasitic medications used to treat lungworms are the same as those used to treat gastrointestinal parasites, but because of the increasing resistance of GI parasites to the available dewormers, indiscriminate use of anti-parasitics is never recommended. Developing an appropriate parasite control program with your veterinarian can reduce the effects of these parasites if they are present in your region.
Previously, if you suspected pneumonia, you may have treated it with an antibiotic found at the feed store. With the implementation of GFI #263, antibiotics will no longer be available for over-the-counter use. Now is the time to develop a good working relationship with a veterinarian — before your animals are sick.
Pneumonia can be a life-threatening condition. Preventing the development of it is always preferable to treating pneumonia in goats. Developing a herd health program can significantly reduce the risk. A good herd health program incorporates optimum nutrition, appropriate vaccinations, and appropriate deworming protocols. Having healthy animals before a stressful event reduces the risk of illness due to stress. Take care when introducing new animals into a herd: isolate new animals for several weeks prior to introduction, reducing the risk of transferring infectious agents to your herd. Caprine arthritis and encephalitis virus can be an insidious cause of pneumonia in older animals. If you are concerned about the presence of this virus within your herd, make efforts to eradicate it.
Previously, if you were treating pneumonia in goats, you may have used an antibiotic you had on hand or found at the feed store. With the implementation of GFI #263, antibiotics will no longer be available for over-the-counter use. Now is the time to develop a good working relationship with a veterinarian — before your animals are sick, to ensure that you can get appropriate care if you have an animal that you suspect has pneumonia. It is always recommended to call your veterinarian if you have a sick animal. While pneumonia often presents with an elevated temperature, an increased respiratory, or a cough, so can other serious medical conditions. Rapid and appropriate care can greatly increase the likelihood of a good outcome when treating pneumonia in goats.
SOURCES
Lora Rickard Ballweber, DVM, DACVM, DEVPC, “Lungworm Infection in Animals.” Merck Veterinary Manual. Modified Nov 2022. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/lungworm-infection/lungworm-infection-in-animals#v58926903
Evelyn MacKay, DVM. “ Mycoplasma Pneumoniasis in Goats.” Merck Veterinary Manual. Modified Oct 2022. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-sheep-and-goats/mycoplasma-pneumonias-in-goats
Jeanne Lofstedt , BVSc, DACVIM. “Caprine Arthritis and Encephalitis.” Merck Veterinary Manual. Modified Oct 2022. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/caprine-arthritis-and-encephalitis/caprine-arthritis-and-encephalitis
Originally published in the September/October 2023 issue of Goat Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.
