Brucellosis in Goats Brucellosis is a disease that results from one of six species precautions during handling of aborted fetuses and affected of Brucella. animals, can however, allow the disease to spread to huB. melitensis is the most important species in goats. mans. Brucellosis is found worldwide Animals are infectious after either but it is well controlled in most an abortion or full term birth. The orIn goats the main signs of Brucellosis are: developed countries. B. melitensis is ganism is found in blood, urine, milk, rare in the United States, but B. ovis • abortions in the herd and semen; it can be shed in milk and is seen in Australia, New Zealand and • swollen udders due to infection of semen (which can be prolonged or many other sheep-raising regions, lifelong). the mammary glands (milk producing including the United States. Brucella can be spread on equiporgans) Since many Boer goat raisers ment, clothing, etc. In conditions of • swollen testicles also raise cattle and/or sheep, it is high humidity, low temperatures and • nervousness important to know that the disease • fever no sunlight, these organisms can live is communicable from species to spefor several months in water, aborted cies, including from cattle to goats fetuses, manure, wool, hay, equipand from goats to humans. ment and clothes. However, Brucellosis is spread among animals by contact The Brucella organism is killed by several hours of expowith the placenta, fetus, fetal fluids, and vaginal discharges sure to direct sunlight. from infected animals. Therefore, contianment from one Clinical signs: Brucella abortus is found in cattle; and species to another is typically fairly controlled. Not taking occasionally sheep, goats, and dogs. B. melitensis is the most important cause of brucellosis in sheep and goats. It can cause abortion, retained placenta, and swelling of the testicles. Abortions usually occur in late pregnancy in sheep, and during the fourth month of pregnancy in goats. In goats, mastitis and lameness may be seen. Communicability: Brucellosis is contagious to humans. Bacteria are present in milk, placenta, fetal fluids, fetus, Electric Trimming Tool vaginal discharges, semen, and urine. Ruminants and other animals can shed bacteria long-term or lifelong. Diagnosis: By blood tests and culture of tissues listed above. Treatment: There is no practical treatment that is successful. Long-term antibiotic treatment can eliminate FEATURING THE B. ovis infections in valuable rams, but the fertility may NEW LEVER ACTION remain poor.
PADDLE SWITCH The paddle has a safety tab that is manually depressed to turn the tool on, when released the tool turns off, the safety tab repositions itself, keeping the tool from turning on again until you are ready to work.
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As a reminder, brucellosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by bacteria. People can get the disease when they are in contact with infected animals or animal products contaminated with the bacteria. Animals that are most commonly infected include sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and dogs, among others.
