Potential disease agents in domestic goats and relevance to bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) management.

Mark L Drew,Glen C Weiser

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0173396

Mark L Drew, Glen C Weiser

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0173396

Copy DOI

Abstract

Domestic goats are raised for meat, milk and hair production, in herds for rangeland weed control, and as pack animals. Domestic sheep, goats and wild bighorn sheep are all susceptible to a multifactorial pneumonia. We sampled 43 herd goats from 7 herds and 48 pack goats from 11 herds for viral and bacterial serology, parasitology, and Pasteurellaceae microbiology. The goats in this study were in generally good health, although most goats did harbor various pathogens and parasites including several bacteria, specifically Pasteurellaceae, which have been associated with pneumonia in free-ranging bighorn sheep. It is not known if domestic goats can transmit the Pasteurellaceae or other pathogens found in this study readily to wild bighorn sheep. However, due the possibility of transmission, domestic goats in areas in or near bighorn sheep habitat should be managed to minimize the risk of spreading disease agents to bighorn sheep.

Highlights

Domestic goats (Capra hircus) are part of the small ruminant livestock population in the United States where they are raised for meat, milk and hair production [1, 2]
The objectives of this study were to 1) evaluate the health status and disease exposure of domestic goats using the same methods as are used for BHS [18], and 2) to use this information to assess risk management for situations in which domestic goats may interact with BHS
Management practices varied between pack and herd goats with pack goats reporting a higher degree of veterinary attention

Summary

Introduction

Domestic goats (Capra hircus) are part of the small ruminant livestock population in the United States where they are raised for meat, milk and hair production [1, 2]. Domestic goats are used for or considered for weed control on public and private lands, especially in areas that are difficult to access by motor vehicles. Infectious diseases of domestic goats are well studied [3]. One of the most common disease conditions in domestic goats, as well as sheep, is pneumonia [4]. Numerous pathogens have been isolated and considered to be part of the etiology of pneumonia in goats and sheep but the involvement of Mannheimia haemolytica is considered important [5]. The cause of pneumonia in domestic sheep and goats is often multifactorial and difficult to pinpoint, even in the presence of pathogens

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion