Pneumonia in Goats, kids and calves

Pneumonia in calves, goats and kids

Pneumonia:

Pneumonia is the inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma with production of alveolar exudates usually
accompanied by inflammation of the bronchioles and often by pleurisy.

Pneumonia is usually characterized by

 An increase in the respiratory rate

 Changes in the depth and character of respirations
 Coughing and abnormal breath sound
 Toxaemia in the most bacterial pneumonia

 Pneumonia is a year-round killer of goats, calves, kids and adults.

 The disease is most common in young calve of 2-5 M of age and young cattle.
 Along with Coccidiosis, pneumonia is one of the two major killers of newborn and young kids.
 In goat herds, pneumonia increases production costs associated with expensive treatments.

Causes of pneumonia:

Causative agents of pneumonia are:

 Bacterial, Virus, Mycoplasma and Parasites

In Goats: Paseurella multocida, Mycobacterium Mycoplasma stain F 38, M. Capri, M. mycoides var mycoides,
Retrovirus infection

In sheep: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, Pasteurella spp., Chlamydia sp.,Para influenza-3, Mycoplasma sp.,
Dictyocaulus filaria etc.
In calves: Respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza 3, Reovirus, Rhinovirus, Adenovirus, BVDv and Herpes virus.
Pneumonia of calve may be complicated with secondary bacterial infections such as Chlamydia sp, Mycoplasma sp,
Mannheimia haemolytica, Streptococcus pneumonia, Corynebacteria bovis and E.coli

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.

Prepared by Dr. Md. Shamim Ahasan

 Pneumonia in Goats, kids and calves

These two pathogens (agents that cause disease) cause outbreaks of acute pneumonia in goats of all ages.

Predisposing factors:

 High humidity
 Close conditions
 Drastic change in weather conditions
 Transportation stress
 Change in environment, feed, or kidding (Sometimes referred to as shipping stress)
 Inadequate ventilation and dusty damp bedding are some of the most common antagonists for the beginning
of pneumonia.
 Viral diseases
 Hygiene and barn ventilation
 Severe internal parasites (worms and coccidia)
 CL (caseous limphadenitis) infections
 Poor nutritional management, undernourishment, or sudden change in diet

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 crackle like sounds, along with nasal and ocular mucopurulent
discharge
 Anorexia (loss of appetite)

 Depression

Acute form:

 Several animals will usually become sick within the next 24–48 hours. There is normally a reduction in feed
intake of the group and widespread coughing will be apparent.
 a mucoid or mucopurulent oculo-nasal discharge, tachypnoea (respirations are usually over 40 per minute),
dyspnoea and hyperpnoea are normally present

Chronic form:

 The condition is one of gradual onset. It may have a slight mucoid or mucopurulent oculonasal discharge.
The temperature is normal or slightly raised at 38.5–39.5 C. There is a dry, explosive cough that is usually
produced singely.

Diagnosis

Prepared by Dr. Md. Shamim Ahasan

 Pneumonia in Goats, kids and calves

 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 tests include polynucleotide chain reaction (PCR) technique, and immunohistochemical
techniques.
Treatment

 Medicines effective in treating pneumonia in goats include penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline,
tylosin, florfenicol, and ceftiofur. Ceftiofur is the only approved antibiotic to treat caprine pneumonia. The
daily dosage is 0.5 to 1.0 mg/lb body weight injected intramuscularly for three days.
 Probiotics are recommended after antibiotics to promote regrowth of the normal rumen microflora (bacteria
and protozoa populations).

 Expectorants. One drug used at present as a spasmolytic is bromhexine hydrochloride, which can be given
orally or by intramuscular injection at a dose of about 0.5 mg/kg body weight for five to seven days.

 Corticosteroids. The drugs commonly in use today include dexamethasone, prednisolone.

 Antihistamines

Prevention

 Vaccinate the herd, a systematic vaccination of the entire herd is advised. T

 P. multocida - M. hemolyticum vaccine for use in goats. 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.

Prepared by Dr. Md. Shamim Ahasan