Abstract
Goat diseases are economically significant and potential to achieve many national and international assurances on food security, poverty alleviation and improved nutritional standard. These diseases pose several constraints to the development of livestock sector to a country where is endemic. This sector constitutes a quantum of significant livestock production which serves as a source of meat, milk, wool and source of income to a farmer.
Introduction
Goat diseases can cause huge economic loss to the farmers due to high intensity to goat farming with poor management practices. Factors affecting livestock production in most countries includes diseases, poor management and lack of proper breeding policies. Disease is an abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of a body system of an animal. Various organisms like bacteria, fungal, parasite, protozoa, rickettsia and viruses are said to caused goat diseases, low quality feeds and poor management practice can predispose to metabolic disorders, which can caused losses due to reduced productivity and death. Diseases are very important to farmers and affect the production of small ruminants in several ways. Fomites such as water and feed troughs, as well as bedding can also transmit disease for a short time, but do not remain infectious for long periods. Goats form an integral part of animal production in most rural and urban communities, their economic advantage is primarily associated with the case of handling as it favors small scale investment minimum risk of loss and high reproductive efficiency. Livestock production is a tremendous enterprise in East African countries where about 56% of livestock wealth in Africa is maintained. Goats are mainly kept for meat, milk, manure, wool and immediate source of income. A sound management practice is a basic tool to maintain animal health in the production of goats. There are some human health risks directly associate with dealing with diseased animals, while some diseases affecting goats do not have any zoonotic effect to human health.
| Bacterial diseases | Fungal diseases | Parasitic diseases | Protozoa/Rickettsial diseases | Viral diseases | Metabolic and nutritional diseases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthrax | Candidiasis | Endo parasite | Babesiosis | PPR | Mil fever |
| Brucellosis | Cryptococcosis | Ecto parasite | Coccidiosis | Goat pox | Ketosis |
| CLA | Ring worm | Theileriosis | CAE | Grain overload | |
| CCPP | Aspergilosis | Cowdriosis | Orf | ||
| Dermatophilosis | Anaplasmosis | ||||
| Mastitis | |||||
| Foot rot |
Important diseases that are zoonotic and economically important like
Anthrax,
Brucellosis,
Caseous lymphadenitis,
Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP),
Dermatophilosis,
Foot rot,
Candidiasis,
Cryptococcosis,
Babesiosis,
Cowdriosis,
Anaplasmosis,
Peste des petits ruminants (PPR),
Goat pox,
Ecthyma
Hypocalcaemia
Each disease is dealt with various subsections like definition of the diseases, etiology, transmission, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and preventive measures.
Summary
Goats are prone to several common diseases, including enterotoxemia (overeating disease), pneumonia, mastitis, foot rot, caseous lymphadenitis (CL), and internal and external parasites. These illnesses can cause symptoms like diarrhea, coughing, swelling, weight loss, and lameness. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, dewormers, proper wound care, and supportive therapy. Preventive measures include regular vaccinations, good hygiene, clean housing, proper nutrition, parasite control, and isolating new or sick animals to maintain herd health.
Goat Diseases – Short FAQs
1. What are common goat diseases?
PPR, enterotoxemia, pneumonia, mastitis, foot rot, coccidiosis.
2. How can I tell if a goat is sick?
Watch for signs like fever, coughing, diarrhea, lameness, or loss of appetite.
3. How are goat diseases treated?
Use antibiotics for infections, dewormers for parasites, and supportive care for viral illnesses. Always consult a vet.
4. What vaccines do goats need?
Core vaccines: CD&T, PPR, FMD (region-specific).
5. How do I prevent diseases in goats?
- Vaccinate on schedule
- Maintain clean housing
- Isolate sick animals
- Provide clean water and balanced feed
6. Can goat diseases affect humans?
Yes, some like Orf, Q fever, and brucellosis can spread to humans.
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