Listeriosis in sheep and goats

Michael Metzger, Michigan State University Extension -

November 28, 2018

Listeriosis is a disease that can affect all ruminants as well as other animal species
and humans.

Listeriosis is an important infectious disease of sheep and goats most commonly

causing encephalitis, but also capable of causing a blood infection and abortion.

Listeriosis is caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and is commonly seen in

cooler climates. These bacteria can be found in the soil, food sources, and even the
feces of healthy animals. Most commonly, this disease of sheep and goats is observed
as a result of feeding moldy or spoiled hay or silage. It’s possible for your sheep and
goats to become infected without feeding moldy or spoiled hay or silage as it is found
in the environment.

The bacteria are very hardy and are common in soil

Silage not fermented (not acidified) properly, put up too dry or not compacted
tight enough to protect it from the air
Round bales of hay that have started to rot
Feed bunks that are not cleaned regularly and in which some feces and wet feed
leftover accumulate and ferment
Rotting (decaying) woody debris
Manure
Milk, urine, and drainage of the eyes and nose of infected animals.

Environmental and fecal contamination are more common sources of the disease than
silage in sheep and goats because most are never fed silage.  Michigan State University
Extension recommends not using silage for small sheep flocks and goat herds as the
feeds will spoil before they can be consumed and possible Listeriosis infections can
result.
Symptoms of Listeriosis include depression, loss of appetite, fever, lack of
coordination, salivation, facial paralysis, and circling. Disease is more common in
animals 1 to 3 years of age than it is in older animals.  The abortion form of Listerosis
usually shows no other symptoms and can only be diagnosed by laboratory analysis.
The onset of the encephalitic form is usually very fast and causes death in 24 to 48
hours after symptoms appear. Symptoms include circling in one direction, high fever,
lack of appetite, red tissues around the eyes, usually with blindness, and depression.
Affected animals may have a droopy ear, drooping eyelid, and saliva running from limp
lips on one side of the face caused by a partial paralysis. When near death, the animal
will lie down and may have convulsions. A diagnosis can only be confirmed in a
diagnostic laboratory but isolation of the organism can be difficult.

Recovery is rare, but is possible with early aggressive antibiotic treatment and
supportive care of the affected animals. There are no effective treatments for small
ruminants, and they usually die after infection. Large doses of Oxytetracycline or
Penicillin G may help in some cases.

Steps for prevention or to minimize associated risks:

Recently introduced animals should be considered suspect as carriers.

Infected animals should be isolated from the rest of the herd or flock
Floors, pens, sheds, feed bunks, mineral feeders, etc. should be thoroughly
cleaned and disinfected.
If several animals are affected and silage or round bales of hay are being fed, their
use should be discontinued until they can be ruled out as a source of
contamination.

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1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director,
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