Brucellosis in Goats

Brucellosis is a disease that results from one of six species of Brucella.

B. melitensis is the most important species in goats.

Brucellosis is found worldwide but it is well controlled in most developed countries. B. melitensis is rare in the United States, but B. ovis is seen in Australia, New Zealand and many other sheep-raising regions, including the United States.

Since many Boer goat raisers also raise cattle and/or sheep, it is important to know that the disease is communicable from species to species, including from cattle to goats and from goats to humans.

However, Brucellosis is spread among animals by contact with the placenta, fetus, fetal fluids, and vaginal discharges from infected animals. Therefore, contianment from one species to another is typically fairly controlled. Not taking

precautions during handling of aborted fetuses and affected animals, can however, allow the disease to spread to humans. Animals are infectious after either In goats the main signs of Brucellosis are: an abortion or full term birth. The organism is found in blood, urine, milk, • abortions in the herd and semen; it can be shed in milk and • swollen udders due to infection of semen (which can be prolonged or the mammary glands (milk producing lifelong). organs) Brucella can be spread on equip• swollen testicles ment, clothing, etc. In conditions of • nervousness high humidity, low temperatures and • fever no sunlight, these organisms can live for several months in water, aborted fetuses, manure, wool, hay, equipment and clothes. The Brucella organism is killed by several hours of exposure to direct sunlight. Clinical signs: Brucella abortus is found in cattle; and 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. Electric Trimming Tool Bacteria are present in milk, placenta, fetal fluids, fetus, 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.

Formerly Electric Hoof Knife

www.MyBossTools.com 877-320-8203

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.