Goats are subject to a number of infectious diseases. You can have testing completed to ensure your goat herd is free of these diseases. please contact you local vet or other breeders for advice on this.
Johne’s disease (pronounced ‘yo-nees’)
Johne’s disease is a chronic wasting disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. It invariably leads to the death of the animal.
In Australia, Johne’s disease has been found in cattle, sheep, goats, deer and camelids.
Johne’s disease is a notifiable disease in some states of Australia.
The bacteria that cause Johne’s disease live in the purcahed animal’s intestines and cause thickening of the bowel wall that interferes with normal absorption of food.
There are varying strains of Johne’s disease.
Bovine Johne’s disease (BJD) is generally caused by the ‘C’ strain of the bacteria. BJD affects mainly cattle but also goats, deer and camelids. Ovine Johne’s disease (OJD) is generally caused by the ‘S’ strain of the bacteria. OJD affects mainly sheep but also goats.
What is CAE disease in goats?
CAE is a serious disease that causes major production losses in goats world-wide through mastitis, ill-thrift, arthritis, pneumonia, ascending paralysis and brain disease (encephalitis).
is a contagious viral disease, which cannot be treated. The virus is slow acting, and is regarded a ‘chronic’ disease, due to the long-term symptoms in animals with this disease.