Infectious Diseases

1. Infectious Diseases

2. Sore Mouth (ORF) Caused by a poxvirus Infects both sheep and goats Zoonotic Infection occurs by physical contact with sores or scabs (on an infected animal or in the environment) Causes lesions on the lips and inside the mouth of kids and may infect the teats of the mother Sores last for 1-4 weeks Vaccine is available but is a live vaccine

3. Pink eye – Keratoconjunctivitis Many causative agents Mycoplasmal infections are most common Lasts a couple days to a couple weeks Symptoms include: conjunctivitis, keratitis, eye twitches, photophobia and pussy discharge Can be accompanied by mastitis, metritis or polyarthritis Topical antibiotics are used most often, but injectable or oral oxytetracycline can be used

4. Scrapie Commonly a sheep disease Goats can become infected by contact with infected animals or pasture Maternal transmission is thought to be possible A transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (a prion disease) Symptoms: tremors, excitability, dry and brittle fleece in sheep (resulting in loss of wool), and itchiness Scrapie eradication program (sheep) Allows detection of resistant or susceptible genotypes Allows tracking and eradication of infected or exposed flocks

5. Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) Bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis May causes abscesses at bacterial entry point or lymph nodes, which spread to internal lymph nodes or organs Symptoms: can be asymptomatic or cause fever, wasting and a variety of other symptoms depending on location, there are also other less common symptoms Diagnosis is usually made based on herd history and clinical signs, but serum testing is avaliable

6. CL Vaccination is available but can cause problem in previously infected goats Treatment with antibiotics in not generally effective due to walling off of abscesses within the body Abscesses can recur after removal or lysis Animals should be culled from the herd

7. Caprine arthritis and encephalitis (CAE) Virus is uncommon in meat animals but widespread in dairy animals Usually effects adults Most commonly transmitted through infected colostrum or contact with infected areas Animals can be infected for prolonged periods of time before becoming symptomatic In adults symptoms include arthritis, mastitis, and chronic pneumonia In kids (2-4 mo.) symptoms include lameness, impaired hind limb placement, paralysis, and neurological symptoms

8. CAE Treatment is symptomatic and there is no treatment for the virus itself Kids should not be allowed to drink milk from infected does If possible infected animals should be tested and culled

9. Johne’s Disease - paratuburculosis Caused by a bacteria Mycobacterium paratuberculosis Organism is shed in feces and milk and can be shed before animals show clinical signs Route of infection: Fecal oral Contaminated milk Water and feed Usually acquired early in life, but shows slow progression to clinical disease

10. Johne’s Disease Symptoms: Can be asymptomatic for years Eventual wasting leading to emancipation and death Lesions may also be present The pathogen can be detected by a variety of tests, some more efficient than others Fecal culture Serologic tests Control: Good sanitation Testing Separation of infected and uninfected animals Control takes at least 5 years

11. Overeating Disease – Enterotoxemia Usually occurs in young animals Often effects fast growing animals Caused by toxins produced by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens type D Toxin is produced following ingestion of large amounts of carbohydrates Sudden onset often following excessive feed consumption Feed lots or lush pasture

12. Overeating Disease Symptoms include: Death (often the first symptom) Neurological signs Overexcitment Diarrhea Prevention is key Vaccination is available Reduce concentrates where feasible

13. Tetenus Caused by toxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani Infection is localized in necrotic tissue at the site of injury Injury can be small and is sometimes not visible upon inspection Symptoms Localized muscle stiffness Lockjaw Muscle spasms of increasing severity ‘Sawhorse’ stance Consciousness is not effected

14. Tetanus Prevention and Treatment Vaccinate in high risk areas Antitoxin can be used to provide passive protection for up to 2 wks