8. Skin Diseases Most text books subdivide skin problems by cause (for example, viral, fungal and parasitic). However, this is not very helpful in making a diag- nosis. Instead we shall approach them by major presenting sign:
Spotting an itchy sheep or goat is not difficult. They will rub on any- thing, which often causes severe damage to their fleece and underlying skin. In severe cases they are so itchy they stop eating; they can also lose a lot of weight. Severe itchiness (often cal ed pruritis) is an animal
welfare issue. It must be addressed as soon as possible. Pruritis is the medical term for
itching. Pruritus is
Scrapie is a degenerative neurological disease that can cause some
animals to experience extreme itchiness. Scrapie is both a federal and
provincial reportable disease in Alberta. Federal jurisdiction comes
under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The disease is de-
scribed in detail in the neurological diseases section. (Refer to Chapter
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CauseThe cause of scab is the skin mite—Psoroptes ovis in sheep and Psoroptes caprae in goats. This microscopic mite burrows into the surface of the skin and feeds on skin material and secretions. The mite is highly contagious and can quickly spread between animals. Mites may persist in the environment for up to two weeks. This dis-ease is a serious problem in most parts of the world. In Canada, it is a reportable disease although it has largely been eradicated.
Clinical SignsThe presence of the mite causes extreme irritation. Sheep and goats will rub themselves on anything and nibble at their fleece. The fleece initial y looks unkempt and dirty before significant wool is lost. Care-ful examination of sheep and goats may reveal wool caught in the teeth. Close examination of the affected areas (typical y along the back) will show yel ow crusting at the base of the wool caused by serum oozing out through damaged skin. If the affected areas are rubbed, sheep/goats often raise their head or make nibbling motions
and appear to enjoy it. This is known as the nibble reflex. As the
disease progresses, animals lose weight and may develop secondary
Veterinarians can scrape the skin at the edge of the lesion with a
scalpel blade and examine the material under a microscope to find
The Psoroptes mite is very sensitive to ivermectin injection. Sheep/
goats should be treated twice, at two-week intervals; they should
also be monitored. Note: Ivermectin is not licensed in goats.
All new animals introduced to the flock/herd should be quarantined
for at least 30 days. Any affected individuals should receive prompt
treatment and be isolated until the parasite is removed.
with the approved label or the package insert of the drug licensed by Health Canada. 84Skin Diseases Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health March 2009
CauseThis is caused by the mite Chorioptes ovis (sheep) and Chrioptes caprae (goats). The mite mainly affects the lower limbs, scrotum, the brisket, and the area around the eyes. It can be differentiated from Psoroptes mites by examination under a microscope.
Clinical SignsItchiness and crusting in the typical areas described above.
Prevention and ControlIntroduction into flock/herd can be control ed with biosecurity meas-ures.
CauseThis is caused by infestations of the sheep louse Damalinia ovis and the goat louse Damalinia caprae. These biting lice live within the wool/hair and eat skin debris. Their presence causes severe itchi-ness. There are also sucking lice that affect both sheep and goats but they are less common. Lice cannot live for long off the animals; the disease is spread mainly by direct transmission.
DiagnosisIdentification of lice in the fleece/hair under the microscope.
TreatmentCommon biting lice do not suck body fluids like mites; therefore, treatment with systemic parasiticides like ivermectin is ineffective. Sheep must be treated with a parasitical treatment applied to the skin. If sucking lice are identified, ivermectin products can be used.
Prevention and ControlLice do not survive very long away from sheep and goats. They are normal y introduced by carrier animals. The disease can be avoided by being cautious when sourcing replacements and limiting contact with other sheep and goats at shows or community pastures. Skin Diseases85
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CauseThis is caused by the parasite Melophagus ovinus. These are small oval parasites that look very much like ticks, but they are actual y classified as wingless flies. They walk around in the fleece, taking intermittent blood meals. Close examination will also show that un-like ticks they have three pairs of legs, not four.
Clinical SignsAlthough keds do cause some irritation and hide damage, they are most commonly seen simply crawling through the fleece. As men-tioned, they are often mistaken for ticks. Affected individuals may be itchy.
DiagnosisSeeing keds crawling through the fleece.
Treatment Systemic treatment with ivermectin should be effective as keds are blood suckers. Treatment must be strategic to be effective. Treat- ment with the effective product must be done at shearing time be- cause the keds will be forced to take a blood meal soon after shear- ing; they will not be able to hide in the fleece. Ectiban is approved for use in sheep for this parasite.
Prevention and ControlKeds do not live off the host; infection occurs after close contact between individuals. When purchasing replacements and herd sires, ask the sel ers if they have keds in their flock. If so, treat the individ-ual before putting it into your flock. 86Skin Diseases Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health March 2009
Refer to Chapter 5, Acquired Health Disorders in Newborns.
Mycotic Dermatitis (Lumpy Wool Disease, Fleece Rot)
CauseThis disease is caused by Dermatophilus congolensis bacteria. These bacteria are able to become established in the skin when the fleece is continuously saturated with water.
Clinical SignsThe disease is typical y seen where the sheep’s fleece is the wet-test, usual y along its back, neck and head. There is a thick crusting at the base of the fleece; often lumps of wool can be pul ed out, revealing a red, raw area.
DiagnosisLaboratory culture of the organism.
The disease is rare on the prairies, due to our relatively dry climate. Persistent wet weather is required to promote this problem.
TreatmentIn mild cases the disease is self limiting. In severe cases the fleece must be clipped; the clipped area should be cleaned with a disinfect-ant, such as Hibitane soap. Animals should also be treated with penicil in for three to five days.
Prevention and ControlThere are no preventative measures as mycotic dermatitis is a conse-quence of environmental conditions.
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CauseThis is caused by the fungus Trichophyton verrucosum, derived from cattle. The fungus is left on inanimate objects, such as fence posts, when an affected cow rubs on the area. A sheep or goat may de-velop the disease by rubbing on the infected post. The fungus can survive in the environment for many months. The disease in sheep is typical y much less severe than in cattle; sheep will recover without treatment. Goats may be affected more seriously.
Clinical SignsYou will see scabby, crusty white lesions, typical y around the face or any area of the body covered by hair. Ringworm lesions rarely occur under the area covered by wool. The disease can look similar to orf but is not so severe.
DiagnosisThe fungus can be grown in the laboratory from a hair sample.
TreatmentThe disease is usual y self limiting; treatment is often not necessary. However, topical iodine on the lesions is sometimes used; antifungal drugs are also available if you wish to treat the condition.
Prevention and ControlAvoid contact between your flock and any other affected livestock. Do not share halters, brushes, or cards between flocks. Zoonosis Alert: Ringworm can also affect humans.
Zoonosis – a disease of animals that may secondarily be transmitted to man. 88Skin Diseases Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health March 2009
CauseBlowflies lay eggs on animals anywhere they are wet. Maggots hatch from the eggs to invade the tissues close to the affected areas. Blowflies are attracted to areas where there is damaged tis-sue. Such areas include:
• The areas around the anus in sheep/goats with severe diarrhea. • Wounds in the skin, common causes include shearing wounds • The prepuces of rams/bucks, if it becomes saturated with urine. • Head wounds in rams/bucks, due to fighting. • Around the feet in animals with foot injuries, especial y foot rot. • The backs of sheep with ful , wet fleeces that are developing
The maggots secrete enzymes that enable the maggot to feed on the surrounding tissues. As more tissues become affected, more blow flies are attracted to the area; they lay more eggs and the situa-tion worsens.
Clinical SignsAn important skill is identification of a “struck” sheep/goat. The animals are typical y irritated at the lesion; they will rub the area, nibble at the area, lip smack and wag their tails. An affected animal will separate from the flock/herd and stop feeding. The fleece over the affected area may become discoloured. As the condition pro-gresses, bacteria grow in the rotting tissue releasing toxins which are absorbed into the blood, leading to septicemia and toxemia (blood poisoning).
DiagnosisSimply part the animal’s fleece/hair. The smell of the rotting tissue and the presence of maggots are unmistakable.
TreatmentThe fleece over the affected area must be ful y clipped. The area should then be washed with a mild veterinary disinfectant such as Hibitane or Betadine. Use a pair of tweezers to remove all obvious maggots. You then need to assess the severity of the problem. In mild cases where the infestation is superficial and the sheep/goat is in good health, this may be all that is required. In more severe cases, when the maggots have migrated into the deeper tissues, contact a veterinarian. In very severe cases it is often best to euthanize af-
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March 2009 Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health
fected animals. However, do not be quick to euthanize the affected animal until the area has been completely cleaned and the severity assessed; it often looks worse than it actual y is.
Specific TreatmentsFor problematic infestation animals can be treated with a dose of injectable ivermectin; this will help to kill maggots in the tissues. Severely affected animals should be treated with a broad spectrum antibiotic and given supportive care. This support can include provid-ing fluids with a stomach tube or injecting anti-inflammatory drugs, in accordance with your veterinarian’s recommendations. Once the area is dry and clean the flies will no longer be attracted to it; this is critical to case management.
Prevention and ControlIt is important to fol ow the fol owing steps to prevent fly strike on the prairies:
1. Reduce the number of flies. Carcasses, afterbirths, and other
waste tissues act as breeding grounds for flies. Remove and burn these to reduce the attraction of flies. Keep corrals as clean as possible and keep manure piles to a minimum. 2. Ensure that flies are not attracted to sheep or goats by:
Docking tails appropriately (sheep only) Preventing diarrhea or treating it quickly if cases do occur Cleaning and treating wounds quickly Shearing animals before fly season
Realize that animals that are down for any reason are at increased risk to fly exposure. 90Skin Diseases Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health March 2009
CauseAny injury to the skin can al ow bacteria to penetrate, setting up an infection. This may commonly occur after an animal has been scratching itself, or after an injury.
Clinical SignsThe skin is inflamed and reddened. There may be oozing and thicken-ing of the skin.
DiagnosisYou may want to col ect and submit a sample to the laboratory for culturing.
TreatmentMild cases may only require cleaning of the area. It is usual y neces-sary to clip the hair/fleece around the affected area and clean with a mild disinfectant. More severe cases may require treatment with antibiotics.
Prevention and ControlIdentify affected animals and treat promptly. Skin Diseases91
March 2009 Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health
Most hair loss in sheep and goats is due to itchy animals scratching themselves. Occasional y, animals in close confinement will lose hair from areas that are continual y rubbed, for example, the neck area on feeders.
CauseIt is suspected that when some sheep become very sick wool growth is adversely affected. Wool grows continuously. When an animal is sick, a weak point develops in each fibre of the fleece at the same level deep in the skin. Several weeks later the wool starts to break off. As the fleece grows out the “weak area” reaches the surface and the break-off section develops. As this occurs across the whole body the fleece starts to fall off.
Clinical SignsFibre loss with no other signs. There may be a history of il ness in the last month.
DiagnosisThis is based on history and examination.
Treatment and PreventionRecognize that this can happen anytime that an individual is severely il . Remember to include it on your differential list when presented with a case. Wool Slip is an individual animal problem and should never be considered as the possible disorder when a number of ani-mals in a flock are experiencing fibre loss. 92Skin Diseases Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health March 2009
CauseCorynebacterium pseudotuberculosis bacteria cause this condi-tion. In sheep/goats the bacteria are spread by external y dischar-ging abscesses or by sheep/goats with lung lesions. Shearing is considered a high risk event only because the chance of lancing an abscess open with the shears is high. The shears become contamin-ated when an abscess is inadvertently cut and the bacteria are then spread to other sheep via nicks in the skin. Confinement under cover is a significant risk factor because those individuals with lung lesions can more easily transmit the disease. Research has shown that con-fining animals under cover together for greater than one hour after shearing increases the risk of infection by three times, compared with non-confined animals. In goats, the abscesses tend to burst as animals rub them on fence posts and buildings. Other animals rub-bing in the same area then become infected. In some cases, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream and spread to internal organs (Refer to Chapter 13, Caseous Lymphadenitis.)
Clinical SignsLumps will appear on the body. Anywhere there is a lymph node a “caseous” lump may form.
DiagnosisNot all abscesses are caused by C. pseudotuberculosis. To make sure of the cause, your veterinarian can do cultures.
Treatment Abscesses should never be opened as this simply contaminates the environment and encourages spread of disease. Antibiotics do not work to treat these abscesses. The abscesses on individual animals can be surgical y removed by your veterinarian. Affected animals should be cul ed as soon as possible, especial y if they have mul- tiple abscesses. Injection of formalin into such abscesses has been reported. This should never be done; formalin is known to cause cancer. Sheep and goats are classified as food producing animals; formalin contaminated animals should not be entering the human food system. Skin Diseases93
March 2009 Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health
Do not buy animals with lumps. Cull affected animals. Ensure af-
fected animals are sheared last. Vaccination is an effective way to
reduce the number of abscesses in the flock. (Use either Case-Bac
or Caseous D-T). This is a very common disease in sheep and goat
flocks. Initial vaccination protocols will be more effective if individuals
are at least 14 weeks of age when the vaccination series is started.
Use of the above vaccines in a goat flock constitutes an ELDU which
The most common cause of abscesses is caseous lymphadenitis.
(Refer to Chapter 8, Caseous Lymphadenitis.) However, abscesses
can be formed for other reasons. There are a number of types of
bacteria that may cause an abscess to form fol owing a penetrating
Swel ing, often slightly soft and also warm.
DiagnosisAs for caseous lymphadenitis; a needle can be used to col ect a sample of the pus.
TreatmentTreatment is complicated by the fact that caseous lymphadenitis is a common cause of abscesses. Because these CL abscesses should never be opened, a diagnosis should always be made before treat-ment is attempted. The softest portion of the abscess should be identified and the area clipped and cleaned with disinfectant. A cut should be made with a scalpel and the pus drained and col ected for disposal. The abscess should then be flushed clean daily with mild disinfectant until it is healed. This may take several weeks. 94Skin Diseases Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health March 2009 9. Lameness Lameness in sheep and goats is a very important condition in small ruminant flocks, for a number of reasons: • Some diseases such as foot-rot are highly contagious and can
quickly spread throughout the flock/herd.
• Lame animals are suffering, making lameness an animal welfare • Lame animals cannot move around to find food and water, so
they quickly lose condition and become more susceptible to predation.
• During the breeding season, lameness can severely affect fertil-
CauseClassical foot rot is caused by Dichelobacter nodosus bacteria in con-junction with Fusobacterium necrophorum bacteria. Fusobacterium necrophorum is found in the soil and feces wherever livestock are found. It cannot be eliminated. Dichelobacter nodosus is a bacterium specific for the sheep/goat foot and is an absolute requirement for true foot rot. The bacterium cannot survive away from sheep/goat for more than 10 days. It can therefore (and should) be eradicated.
Clinical SignsSevere lameness. An animal may obviously favour one leg, or it may tend to crouch on its knees, unable to stand. The animals often sep-arate from the flock/herd and may lose much weight.
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March 2009 Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health
Diagnosis Diagnosis depends on examination. The feet should be cleaned with a stiff brush or water to aid visualization. In the earliest stages of the disease the skin between the claws becomes inflamed and reddened. This is known as “scald”. (Refer to Chapter 9, Scald.) A secondary infection with Dichelobacter nodosus will al ow the bac- teria to penetrate and eat away the soft horn under the bulb of the heel causing the horn to separate. In severe cases there is extensive under-running of the hoof wall and toe. The area under the under-run horn is full of foul smel ing, grey, cheesy material. If the disease is untreated the horn will eventual y start to grow back, but this pro- cess is disorganized, resulting in deformities of the hoof.
If confirmation is required, your veterinarian can take samples from the affected feet and submit them to the laboratory for bacterial culture.
TreatmentFoot rot is such an important and problematic disease in sheep that individual treatment is a complete waste of time. The disease must
be eradicated in the flock to avoid the costs of treatment (time and
money) and the welfare implications.
Bring the whole flock (including rams) into a holding area. The feet
of all animals should be examined and the flock divided into three
Group 3—animals with severe infection and/or misshapen feet
Animals in Group 1 should have their feet trimmed (disinfect trim-
mers between animals) and be foot bathed in 20 percent zinc sul-
Animals in Group 2 should be treated as above but when the feet
are trimmed, all digits or cracks must be ful y trimmed out. These
animals can also be treated with a long acting oxytetracycline anti-
biotic (extra label use or “ELDU”).
Animals in Group 3 should be cul ed.
It is vital that sheep are managed in a complete “one way sys-tem.” After the foot bath animals must be moved to a pasture that
96Lameness Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health March 2009
has been free of sheep for at least two weeks. They must also be moved by a route that has been free of sheep for two weeks.
Foot Bath PreparationIdeal y, the foot bath should be of a size to hold as many animals as can have their feet trimmed in one hour. The depth of solution should be eight centimetres (three inches) to ensure that the entire foot is covered. The foot bath solution is prepared from two kilo-grams of zinc sulphate monohydrate powder dissolved in 10 litres or two pounds in one Imperial gal on of water. You must add a wetting agent to ensure the solution penetrates the foot (175 mL laundry detergent per 100 litres of water or one cup per 30 gal ons). Zinc sul-phate is usual y available from agricultural merchants or your veterin-arian.
Math Made EasyOnce it is determined how big the footbath needs to be to hold the desired number of sheep, measure the inside of your footbath in centimetres or inches. Metric Measure Litres of zinc sulphate required 1. Width (cm) X Length (cm) X Depth of 8 cm 2. Divide the answer by 1000 = number of litres Kilograms of zinc sulphate required 3. Number of litres (from 2) X 0.2 = number of kg of zinc sulphate required Millilitres of laundry detergent required 4.Number of litres (from 2) x 1.75 = number of mL of laundry detergent Imperial Measure Gallons of zinc sulphate solution required 1. Width (inches) X Length (inches) X Depth of 3 inches 2. Divide the answer by 280 = number of gallons Pounds of zinc sulphate required 3. Number of gallons (from 2) X 2 = number of pounds of zinc sulphate required Cups of laundry detergent required 4. Number of gallons (from 2) ÷30 = number of cups of laundry detergent
Herd animals into the foot bath and keep them standing in it for one hour. Do not let the animals drink the solution; it is toxic.
The solution becomes less effective with use. The quality of the solution can be measured with a battery tester (not an anti-freeze tester). If the zinc sulphate concentration fal s below 15 percent it will not be effective at al . Lameness97
March 2009 Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health
Because zinc is toxic, disposal of the solution must be done careful y so that it does not become an environmental hazard.
PreventionThis disease can be considered animal dependent because D. nod-osus can only survive a short time in the environment away from animals.
If the disease gets into your flock, it is because it was either brought in by a replacement animal or your animals have been in contact with infected animals. Remember that the organism can live in the environment for 10 days, making any area where animals are either mixed or share walkways high risk for spreading this disease.
Preventing foot rot involves buying replacement animals only from flocks with a known history. Even then, all replacements should be quarantined. During the quarantine process the animals’ feet should be trimmed and they should have the foot bath treatment.
If your animals are to mix with others in a community pasture, or at
a livestock show or other event, ensure that there are protocols in
place to aid in the control of foot rot.
Vaccines have been developed in other parts of the world and ap-
pear to be effective. A vaccine is available in Canada, but first an
EDR must be completed, through your veterinarian.
This disease is caused by the bacterium Fusobacterium necrophor-
um. These bacteria are natural y present in the soil and feces wher-
ever livestock are kept. In situations where the ground is very wet
the surface of the skin between the two claws becomes soft and is
easily invaded by the bacteria, causing inflammation.
Mild lameness. Examination of the hoof will reveal reddening of the
TreatmentMost cases will resolve without treatment if the animals are moved to a dry area. 98Lameness Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health March 2009
CauseThe junction of the hoof wall and sole of the foot, often referred to as the white line, is the weakest part of the foot. It is possible for debris to erode this part of the hoof, al owing bacteria to enter the deeper tissues. Should the bacteria reach the deeper tissues of the foot an abscess may form. Abscesses occur most commonly in the toe region and are also more common after episodes of laminitis. (Refer to Laminitis - next topic in this chapter.)
Clinical SignsIt is common to see severe lameness in one limb. The affected claw will be hot and painful if squeezed. Typical y, black debris is embed-ded in the white line.
TreatmentTrim down the discoloured white line with hoof shears and a knife until you reach the abscess. Al ow the area to drain and remove all under run horn; do not leave pockets to be fil ed with dirt. In most cases no further treatment is necessary.
CauseWhen animals are fed concentrated diets high in carbohydrates (sug-ars) the increased lactic acid produced by the rumen causes inflam-mation of the deep tissues of the hoof. This causes inflammation and pain. Laminitis may also occur after severe systemic il ness as a response to stress.
Clinical SignsLameness in more than one foot. Feet are often warm and painful if pressed with pliers.
TreatmentReduce the amount of carbohydrate that the animal is consuming and offer supportive care, because affected individuals often have difficulty moving around. Consult with your veterinarian about using an anti-inflammatory drug to make the animal more comfortable.
PreventionThis is a management disease. Careful review with a nutritional con-sultant of how your rations are formulated will go a long way towards
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March 2009 Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health
preventing this disease. Avoid high concentrated diets with too much grain and restricted amounts of roughage.
CauseODD has recently been discovered in sheep in the UK. The disease appears to be related to hairy heel wart in cattle. It is caused by a Spirochete bacterium. Clinical SignsThe animal has severe lameness affecting one limb. There is typ-ical y an ulcerated lesion on the skin on the bottom of the hoof, with severe under running of the hoof wal .
TreatmentIn cases which have been caught early enough, using a foot bath with oxytetracycline antibiotics applied to the lesions works wel . In severe cases it may be necessary to amputate the affected digit.
PreventionTo date there has been no diagnosis of this disease in North Amer-ican sheep.
Foot trimming is an important skill that anyone working with sheep or goats should be and can be proficient at. Anyone trimming a foot should have a plan in mind; it is unacceptable to simply hack at the foot until it bleeds.
ToolsFeet can be trimmed using a hoof knife, hoof trimmer pliers or a combination of both, depending on the operator’s preference. A hoof rasp is also useful for finishing the hoof.
RestraintSheep are typical y set up on their butts and held between the knees for foot trimming. Goats typical y stand. Several types of cradles and devices are also available to hold animals while their feet are trimmed.
Trimming PrinciplesThe hoof of a sheep or goat grows continual y (like a finger nail). The sole and the wall grow at the same rate. However, the wall is much
100Lameness Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health March 2009
tougher than that of the sole so the sole tends to wear away more rapidly. The amount of wear of the wal s depends on the environ-ment, the type of ground, the amount of walking and the breed. The two goals of foot trimming are:
1. To restore the natural balance of the foot 2. To deal with any problems
Make the first cut straight across the toe. If you are unsure about how much horn to trim, start by trimming small pieces; you can always take off more later. In most cases, the outer wall of the hoof grows around and under, covering the sole.
This whole area should be removed until it is level with the sole and all the packed debris is cleaned out. The wall on the inner surface of the hoof rarely overgrows excessively, but should be trimmed level with the outer wal . Trim the heel area only if it is very overgrown. Final y, any areas of under run horn or pockets of embedded debris should be explored and cleaned. You can use a rasp to smooth any sharp edges after trimming.
CauseAs the sheep ages, arthritis develops, mainly by the natural degen-eration of the joints. This is termed “osteoarthritis.”
In goats, most arthritis is due to infection with CAE. (Refer to CAE - next topic in this chapter.)
Clinical SignsAnimals are lame. There will be no signs in the foot to explain the lameness. Close examination of the legs may reveal swol en joints and/or joints that are apparently painful when manipulated. The ani-mal may exhibit an abnormal gait.
TreatmentMost of these animals should be cul ed because there is no treat-ment. Individual animals may be made comfortable using anti-inflam-matory drugs, with veterinary advice.
PreventionOsteoarthritis cannot be prevented; it is part of the aging process. For information on CAE prevention, refer to CAE below. Lameness101
March 2009 Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health
CauseCaprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is caused in goats by the CAE virus, a virus very closely related to maedi-visna in sheep. (Refer to Chapter 12, Maedi-Visna.) The two diseases are very similar; while maedi-visna in sheep tends to affect the lungs and brain, CAE most commonly affects the joints and brain.
Clinical SignsArthritis is seen in goats more than six months old. The animals are lame and the joints are typical y swol en. The disease may wax and wane initial y, but is slowly progressive, with animals becoming pro-gressively lamer.
DiagnosisA diagnosis is based on the clinical signs. A blood test can be used to determine if an animal is infected with CAE. Samples of fluid may also be aspirated from a joint to confirm the diagnosis. It is important to recognize that an individual may test positively for the CAE virus and have no clinical signs.
TreatmentNone. Anti-inflammatory drugs may help in the short term to keep an animal comfortable.
PreventionControl of CAE in goats is essential y the same as control of maedi-visna in sheep. (Refer to Chapter 12, Maedi-Visna.)
102Lameness Sheep and Goat Management in Alberta - Health March 2009
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