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PubMed1993

Changes in serum levels of vitamin B12, feed intake, liveweight and hematological parameters in cobalt deficient small east African goats.

Thirty short-horned East African goats were divided into two groups (treatments 1 and 2) consisting of fifteen goats each. All the goats were fed on a cobalt deficient diet containing 0.02 mg Co/kg of dry matter for a period of twenty three weeks. Goats in treatment 1 were supplemented with an oral cobalt chloride drench. Cobalt deficiency developed in goats in treatment 2 after ten weeks when their serum vitamin B12 concentration fell below 200-250 pg/ml. Between the third and the twenty-third weeks of the experiment, the mean serum concentration of vitamin B12 was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in cobalt supplemented (289.6 +/- 40.76 pg/ml) than deficient (142.8 +/- 28.27 pg/ml) goats. Total dry matter intake, intake per metabolic body weight and liveweight changes were not significantly (P > 0.05) different between goats in the two treatments. Although packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte count were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cobalt adequate than deficient goats, these blood parameters were within the normal range for goats. It is suggested that although serum vitamin B12 standard for sheep is applied for goats, the latter species is likely to be more resistant to low dietary cobalt intake than sheep.

Africa, Eastern↗

PubMed1996

Comparative pharmacokinetics of an ampicillin/sulbactam combination administered intramuscularly in lactating sheep and goats.

The pharmacokinetic behaviour of an ampicillin/sulbactam (2:1) combination was studied after intramuscular administration of a single dose (20 mg/kg body weight: 13.33 mg/kg of ampicillin and 6.67 mg/kg of sulbactam) to six sheep and six goats. The objective was to determine whether there were differences between sheep and goats in the disposition profiles of ampicillin and sulbactam. The disposition curves for both drugs were best described by a biexponential equation (one-compartment open model with first order absorption) in both sheep and goats. The maximum plasma concentrations of ampicillin and sulbactam were similar in both sheep (10.61 +/- 6.36 and 9.17 +/- 3.82 mg/L respectively) and goats (11.02 +/- 2.69 and 9.25 +/- 0.85 mg/L respectively), in spite of the fact that the ampicillin dose was twice that of sulbactam. The time of the peak plasma concentration for both drugs was also similar in both sheep and goats. The elimination half-life of ampicillin was 0.81 +/- 0.17 h in sheep and 0.71 +/- 0.12 h in goats, and that of sulbactam was 1.02 +/- 0.36 h in sheep and 1.13 +/- 0.18 h in goats. The rate of drug removal from the body was faster in sheep than in goats and consequently the area under the curve was greater for goats. It was concluded that the similarity in the disposition and elimination of both drugs in sheep and goats indicated that the combination preparation could be administered at the same dosing rate in both species.

Ampicillin↗

PubMed2026

Prevalence of Theileria luwenshuni in goats (Capra hircus) on Tarama Island, Okinawa, Japan.

Caprine theileriosis is an economically important tick-borne disease caused by various Theileria species, particularly Theileria lestoquardi, Theileria luwenshuni, and Theileria uilenbergi, in goats (Capra hircus). Goat farming plays an economically and culturally important role on Tarama Island, Okinawa, Japan. Because goats on the island are mainly managed under an extensive grazing system, tick infestation is common. However, Theileria infections have not previously been investigated in goats on Tarama Island. To address this, archived DNA samples prepared from blood collected from 44 goats on Tarama Island were screened using a universal PCR assay targeting 18S rRNA sequences of Theileria and Babesia species. Two DNA samples were positive, and sequencing analysis of the amplicons identified T. luwenshuni. To further investigate the epidemiology of T. luwenshuni on Tarama Island, blood samples were subsequently collected from 96 goats across 19 farms. From each blood sample, a thin blood smear was prepared and genomic DNA was extracted. Microscopic examination of Diff-Quik-stained smears detected intraerythrocytic Theileria-like organisms in 35 (36.5%) goats. In addition, screening of DNA samples using a newly developed T. luwenshuni-specific PCR assay detected 77 (80.2%) positive goats, and the subsequent sequencing analysis confirmed the PCR results. Given that T. luwenshuni can cause severe disease in small ruminants, our findings highlight the importance of managing T. luwenshuni infection in goats on Tarama Island.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Clinical use of Norgestomet ear implants or intravaginal pessaries for synchronization of estrus in anestrous dairy goats.

Ear implants that contained 3 mg Norgestomet or vaginal pessaries that contained 40 or 45 mg fluorogestone acetate were used to induce estrus in dairy goats in three herds in May. Ear implants or vaginal pessaries were left in place for 11 d. Cloprostenol (50 mug) and PMSG (500 IU) were administered i.m. 24 h prior to removal of ear implants or vaginal pessaries. After removal of vaginal pessaries, onset of standing estrus occurred in 22 23 goats (96%) at 20 +/- 4.7 h, in 19 20 goats (95%) at 22 +/- 6.3 h, and in 16 16 goats (100%) at 19 +/- 1.2 h in Herds A, B and C, respectively. After removal of ear implants, onset of standing estrus occurred in 25 25 goats (100%) at 19 +/- 4.9 h, in 20 22 goats (91%) at 22 +/- 7.0 h, and in 15 15 goats (100%) at 18 +/- 2.2 h in Herds A, B and C, respectively. Does were bred by natural service in Herds A and B, and by artificial insemination 28 h after vaginal pessary or ear implant removal in Herd C. Pregnancy rates were determined 39 to 53 d post breeding by real-time ultrasound. Pregnancy rates in goats with vaginal pessaries were 32, 55 and 6%; and in goats with ear implants they were 56, 67 and 27% in Herds A, B and C, respectively. Problems encountered included poor libido in some bucks, abortions in undersized yearling does, and loss of ear implants by three does (not included in the data). Statistically there was no difference in pregnancy rates between goats receiving vaginal pessaries or ear implants (P>0.10).

Journal Article↗

PubMed1990

Experimental respiratory infection of goats with caprine herpesvirus and Pasteurella haemolytica.

Groups of six male goats were inoculated intratracheally and intranasally with either caprine herpesvirus followed 6 days later by Pasteurella haemolytica, canine herpesvirus alone or P. haemolytica alone. Pneumonic lesions were observed in five of the six goats inoculated with caprine herpesvirus followed by P. haemolytica and in three of the six goats inoculated with P. haemolytica alone, but were not observed in goats inoculated with caprine herpesvirus alone or in non-infected controls. Pasteurella haemolytica was isolated from seven of eight lungs with pneumonia, but only from one of sixteen lungs without pneumonia. The lesions ranged from fatal acute exudative necrotising pneumonia to predominantly proliferative pneumonia. Half of the caprine herpesvirus-inoculated goats developed a clinical catarrhal rhinitis five days post-inoculation and the only virus-specific histopathological lesion was a mild tracheitis. Canine herpesvirus was recovered from the nasal swabs of all caprine herpesvirus- inoculated goats developed a clinical catarrhal rhinitis five days post-inoculation and the only virus-specific histopathological lesion was a mild tracheitis. Canine herpesvirus was recovered from the nasal swabs of all canine herpesvirus-inoculated goats and from the lungs of three goats inoculated with caprine herpesvirus alone. The experimental inoculations demonstrated that P. haemolytica alone can produce pneumonia in goats. In addition, the study showed that caprine herpesvirus readily proliferates in the upper respiratory tract and lungs of goats but the role of caprine herpesvirus in the aetiology of pneumonia remains uncertain.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Biological control of infective larvae of a gastro-intestinal nematode (Teladorsagia circumcincta) and a small lungworm (Muellerius capillaris) by Duddingtonia flagrans in goat faeces.

The high prevalence of benzimidazole-resistant nematodes in French grazing dairy goat flocks led to a search for nematode-control schemes based on integrated approaches with non-chemical options, like vaccination, grazing management, or biological control using nematophagous fungi. The effect of the daily feeding of goats with spores of the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans on third-stage larvae (L3) of Teladorsagia circumcincta was examined in faecal cultures. In addition, the effect of D. flagrans on the survival of first-stage larvae (L1) of Muellerius capillaris was tested. Twenty-two culled dairy goats previously raised in a zero-grazing system were twice infected at monthly intervals with 5,000 and then 7,500 T. circumcincta L3. Eight animals were infected with a benzimidazole-susceptible (BZs) strain while the remainder received a benzimidazole-resistant one (BZr). Six culled goats naturally infected with M. capillaris were purchased from private farms. All the goats were divided in two groups, one group receiving daily 5 x 10(5) chlamydospores of D. flagrans/kg body weight per goat for seven consecutive days in the food, the other group acting as control. For T. circumcincta-infected goats, individual egg counts and coprocultures (13 days, 25 degrees C) followed by L3 extraction with the Baermann method were performed. For M. capillaris-infected goats, extraction of L1 with the Baermann apparatus was individually performed on day 0 and after coprocultures on days 7, 10 and 14. Reductions in percentage development of T. circumcincta L3 in fungus groups compared with control groups ranged from 84% (BZs strain) to 90% (BZr strain). A decrease in M. capillaris L1 recovery was noted on days 7 and 10 (a reduction of 70% compared with day 0) and on day 14 (85%), but this pattern was similar in both groups, whether receiving the fungus or not. At the dosage of 5 x 10(5) spores/kg body weight, D. flagrans was highly effective in reducing the larval development of T. circumcincta in goats faeces. In contrast, the fungus did not reduce M. capillaris L1 survival in faeces in our conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Periparturient rise in fecal egg counts associated with prolactin concentration increase in French Alpine dairy goats.

Previous data on periparturient relaxation of immunity during gastrointestinal nematode infection in goats are scarce and conflicting; one study carried out in fiber (Angora) goats showed a positive association of fecal egg counts with prolactin concentrations around parturition, whereas the two other available studies dealing with dairy goats, gave divergent results. The objectives of the study were thus to assess the occurrence of a periparturient rise in fecal egg counts in dairy goats and to examine a possible relationship between the level of milk production and the intensity of the periparturient rise. A total of 28 French Alpine grazing dairy goats naturally infected with Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus, and Oesophagostomum were allocated into two groups according to their reproductive status; group 1 (n = 7) consisted of nonpregnant lactating animals in the 3rd month of lactation, whereas group 2 (n = 21) was composed of dry goats at 6 weeks before term. Fecal egg counts, pepsinogen and phosphate blood concentrations, blood eosinophil counts, and prolactin concentrations were individually monitored at weekly intervals for 12 weeks (from midwinter to early spring). The mean fecal egg counts were significantly higher in pregnant goats during the 2 weeks before (668 versus 242 eggs per gram of feces (epg), P < 0.05) and the 2 weeks after (962 versus 279 epg, P < 0.01) parturition as compared with nonpregnant lactating animals. No significant difference was seen in the composition of larval cultures between the two groups of animals, with Oesophagostomum infective larvae being found predominantly, particularly at the time of parturition. Pepsinogen and phosphate concentrations as well as blood eosinophil counts were similar between the two groups throughout the survey and indicated a moderate larval challenge. The mean prolactin concentration measured in pregnant goats was significantly higher (P < 0.01) at the time of parturition (298 versus 130 ng ml(-1)) and at 4 weeks after parturition (387 versus 193 ng ml(-1)) than that determined in nonpregnant animals. Furthermore, a significant correlation (rs = 0.30, df = 79; P < 0.01) between fecal egg counts and prolactin concentrations was recorded for the pregnant goats during the 4-weeks period around parturition.

Animals↗

PubMed2025

Causation and epidemiological features of proliferative lip and facial lesions in Lao goats.

Past surveys and studies have identified a syndrome of lip and facial dermatitis as common in Lao goats and identified Orf virus (ORFV) as the likely cause. To more definitively determine the cause of this syndrome, a matched case-control study was implemented in 70 smallholder goat farms and a large-scale goat holding from Savannakhet province, Laos. Forty-one scab samples from goats with lip and facial dermatitis (cases) and 41 paired samples from unaffected animals (controls) were collected from 31 goat holdings over 12 months. Samples were tested using quantitative PCR assays targeting possible pathogens causing such lesions. The prevalence of PCR-positive samples in case and control goats was 100% and 95.1%, respectively, for ORFV (P = 0.15) and 19.5% and 29.3% (P = 0.3) for Dermatophilus congolensis. Pseudocowpox virus and bovine popular stomatitis virus were not detected in any samples. There was a clear difference between the log10 genome copies (GC) per µL DNA extract of ORFV in positive samples from cases (7.00 ± 0.17) and controls (2.62 ± 0.18, P < 0.0001). This was not true for D. congolensis with similar GC detected in the case and control goats. More than 4 log higher GC in affected cases identifies ORFV as the likely cause of the syndrome in Lao goats with little role for D. congolensis. Phylogenetic analysis showed no genetic variation of ORFV in the study samples and close similarity to sequences from China. The findings suggest that orf disease has a sporadic distribution, mostly occurring in goats during the first 6-months of life.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Variation in sensitivity of Trypanosoma congolense to diminazene during the early phase of tsetse-transmitted infection in goats.

Twenty-five goats were randomly allocated to five groups of five animals each and infected with Trypanosoma congolense IL 3274 via the bites of infected Glossina morsitans centralis. At intervals of 1, 4, 8, 12 or 19 days following infection, each group of five animals was treated intramuscularly with diminazene aceturate at a dose of 7.0 mg kg-1 body weight (b.w.). While treatment on Day 1 eliminated infections in all five goats, treatment on Day 19 did not cure any of the animals; in groups treated 4, 8 or 12 days following infection, two of five goats in each group were cured. Since the alteration in apparent resistance of T. congolense IL 3274 between Day 1 and Day 19 could have been due to alteration in expression of drug resistance by trypanosomes as the population expanded, the experiment was repeated using trypanosomes that reappeared in the animals that had been treated with diminazene aceturate on Day 19. On Day 36, when all five animals were parasitaemic, five groups of teneral G. m. centralis, each containing 160 flies, were fed on one occasion on each of the five goats (one group of testse flies per goat). Thereafter, each group of tsetse flies was maintained on clean rabbits. When infective, five flies from each group were allowed to feed on two naive goats each (i.e. two goats per group of tsetse flies). One animal in each pair was treated 24 h after infection with diminazene aceturate at a dose of 7.0 mg kg-1 b.w., the other was treated on Day 19, when parasitaemic, with the same drug dosage. As before, treatment 24 h following infection eliminated infections in all animals, but when treatment was delayed until Day 19, trypanosomes in all animals were refractory to treatment. Thus, although tsetse flies were infected with trypanosomes that had arisen in infected goats following treatment with diminazene aceturate at a dose of 7.0 mg kg-1 b.w., when the same flies were allowed to feed on clean goats, the resultant infections were sensitive to treatment with the same drug dosage when administered 24 h following infection. These data therefore indicate that there is a significant alteration in diminazene sensitivity of IL 3274 between Day 1 and Day 19 and that this is associated with an alteration in the resistance phenotype of the trypanosomes.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Susceptibility of Nigerian west African dwarf and red Sokoto goats to a strain of Trypanosoma congolense.

West African Dwarf (WAD) and Red Sokoto (RS) goats were experimentally infected with the Kafanchan strain of Trypanosoma congolense and the course of the infection was monitored. The organism was pathogenic and produced fatal disease in the goats, which was characterized by rapid progressive anaemia, leucocytosis, weight loss and death. All RS goats died within 11 days of infection, and had a mean reduction in packed cell volume (PCV) of 11%. In West African Dwarf goats, one death occurred on Day 13 post-infection with a mean drop in PCV of 9%. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) mean reductions in values of PCV, haemoglobin and red blood cell counts were observed between the infected and control animals of both breeds, and also between the infected WAD and infected RS goats. The anaemia produced was macrocytic. Leucocytosis characterized by neutropenia and lymphocytosis was observed among infected WAD goats, but leucopenia characterized by neutrophilia and lymphopenia was observed in infected RS goats. Infected WAD goats recorded some positive unit weight gain in spite of the infection. It was concluded that the RS breed of goats is more susceptible to T. congolense infection than the WAD breed.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Comparison of infection rates of Oestrus ovis between sheep and goats kept in mixed flocks.

Oestrosis is a nasal myiasis of sheep and goats caused by larvae of the fly Oestrus ovis and can lead to severe clinical signs, which together with the disturbance caused by the adult fly may result into serious economic losses. Infection rates and larval burdens are always higher in sheep than in goats after either natural or artificial infestation. The aim of this study was to compare the host preference of the adult fly O. ovis between sheep and goats in mixed flocks, where they are kept together under the same husbandry conditions and hence, are very similarly exposed to the fly preference. Blood sera samples were collected from a total of 397 sheep and 335 goats, from 43 mixed flocks located at different regions of Greece. Antibodies specific to O. ovis IgG were measured by ELISA. A flock was considered positive when at least one individual was positive, i.e. showed a seropositivity of >or=20% in relation to positive control sera. A total of 193 (48.6%) sheep and 58 (17.9%) goats were found to be seropositive against O. ovis. Thirty-eight (88.4%) out of 43 flocks had at least one seropositive animal. The mean seroconversion against O. ovis in animals from the different flocks was 38.6% and 13.6% for sheep and goats, respectively, whereas the variance of infection within each flock was 0-100%. The mean seropositivity between sheep that were found to be positive or negative was 60.6% and 5.4%, respectively, whereas the corresponding values between goats were 35.2% and 5.2%, respectively. No significant difference in the seroconversion values was noted between flocks from the different areas (P=0.817), whereas a very significant difference was observed between animal species (P=0.001). However, there was no significant difference when seroconversion comparisons were made within samples of the same animals species, sheep or goats from different flocks of all the regions included in the study (P=0.695). The results of this study clearly demonstrate that O. ovis has a widespread distribution in Greece, and the seroprevalence is significantly higher in sheep than goats (P=0.001).

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2006

Accuracy of an anaemia scoring chart applied on goats in sub-humid Kenya and its potential for control of Haemonchus contortus infections.

We tested the practical application of an anaemia scoring chart (the FAMACHA chart) as a method for controlling Haemonchus contortus in goats kept under smallholder conditions in a sub-humid area of Central Kenya. The objectives were: (1) to test the accuracy of the FAMACHA chart in identifying anaemic goats (PCV< or =18); (2) to quantify the proportion of goats left untreated at farm level when using the chart. On each of two farms, Small East African goats of various ages were allocated to two treatment groups; a FAMACHA group (F1 (n=34) and F2 (n=31) on farms 1 and 2, respectively) and a control group (C1 (n=34) and C2 (n=30)). In F1 and F2 goats with a FAMACHA score of 3, 4 or 5 were treated with anthelmintic after scoring. In C1 and C2 goats were treated every 4 weeks from 15 February to 20 July. Every 2 weeks all goats were scored with the FAMACHA chart and weighed. Furthermore, faecal samples were collected for faecal egg counts (FEC) and blood samples were collected for packed cell volume (PCV) determination. H. contortus was found to be the predominant nematode on both farms. The mean FECs were higher on farm 1 compared to farm 2, while in contrast the mean PCV levels were lowest on farm 2. The latter was most likely due to the presence of Fasciola spp., flea and tick infections on farm 2. The accuracy of the chart was evaluated by using PCV as the gold standard for anaemia (PCV< or =18%). The mean percentage of false-negative scorings per sampling was 0.7% on farm 1 and 1.6% on farm 2, while the mean percentage of false-positive scorings was 9.7% and 21.4%, respectively. It is most likely that the accuracy of the chart was negatively affected by the concurrent parasite infections on farm 2. The mean proportion of untreated goats per sampling was 89% and 77% on farm 1 and farm 2. It was concluded that the FAMACHA chart can be a valuable tool for decision-making in control of H. contortus in goats kept under smallholder conditions, without morbidity or mortality unacceptable to the farmer. The application may further reduce the risk of development of anthelmintic resistance by increasing refugia. However, caution should be taken under conditions where other anaemia-causing parasites are present (e.g. Fasciola spp. and ecto-parasites), since this possibly decreases the accuracy of the FAMACHA chart.

Anemia↗

PubMed1997

Detection of Trypanosoma brucei, T. congolense and T. vivax infections in cattle, sheep and goats using latex agglutination.

A monoclonal antibody-based latex agglutination test for detection of circulating trypanosome antigens in animal serum was evaluated for the ability to detect natural T. brucei, T. congolense and T. vivax infections in cattle, sheep and goats in Ghana. The test detected antigens in 180/422 (42.7%) of cattle, 27/131 (20.6%) of sheep and 14/79 (17.7%) of the goats. By comparison, the microplate-based antigen-ELISA gave similar results (P > 0.01), detecting trypanosome antigens in 41.7% of the cattle, 19.8% of the sheep and 17.7% of the goats. Trypanosomes were demonstrated in the blood of 30 (7.2%) cattle, 7 (5.3%) sheep and 3 (3.8%) goats using the buffy coat technique (BCT). Of these, 26 cattle (86.7%), 6 sheep (85.7%) and all 3 goats (100%) were antigenaemic. The most prevalent single infection in all 3 animal species involved T. vivax, and the most common mixed infection involved all 3 trypanosome species in cattle and sheep. There was no mixed infection in goats. Compared with the antigen-ELISA, the sensitivity of the latex agglutination test was 98.3% in cattle and 100% in both sheep and goats, whilst the specificity was 97.2% in cattle, 99% in sheep and 100% in goats. False positivity with the latex agglutination test was 3.9% in cattle and 3.7% in sheep. There were no false-positive reactions with the test in goats. The latex agglutination assay promises to be ideal for testing small numbers of animals under field conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Presence of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) proviral DNA in genital tract tissues of superovulated dairy goat does.

Transmission of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) is not completely understood and the vertical route of infection from the goat to the embryo or to the fetus needs to be investigated. This route of infection involves the presence of CAEV in the genital tract tissues. Prior studies have detected CAEV-infected cells in genital secretions and in flushing media recovered during embryo collection from infected goats. To specify the origin of these cells, we conducted a double-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on embryo flushing media and on mammary gland, mammary lymph node, synovial membrane, pelvic lymph node, uterus and oviduct tissues from 25 CAEV-infected (blood PCR positive) embryo donor goats for the presence of CAEV proviral DNA. The presence of proviral DNA was found in 22 of 25 mammary gland samples, 14 of 25 uterus samples, and in 16 of 25 oviduct samples. Nineteen of 25 goats had at least one positive genital tract sample. Flushing media from 11 goats were PCR positive. All goats with positive-flushing media were oviduct positive. Of this group of does, except for 1 of the 11, infection of flushing media correlated with infection of almost all the other tissues examined. The frequency of positive tissues for flushing media-positive goats (61/66; 92%) was significantly higher than that for flushing media-negative goats (50/84; 60%) (P<0.01). This study demonstrated the presence of CAEV-infected cells in the goat genital tract. The presence of CAEV-infected cells in the uterus and oviducts suggests potential for vertical transmission of CAEV from doe to embryo or fetus.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

A classical inactivated vaccine induces protection against caprine herpesvirus 1 infection in goats.

Eight goats were inoculated with an inactivated caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) vaccine. Four unvaccinated goats were kept as controls. After 30 days, four of the eight goats were revaccinated. Fifty days after the first vaccination the animals were divided into two groups (A and B) of six goats each (two goats vaccinated twice, two goats vaccinated once and two goats unvaccinated). The two groups were challenged with CpHV-1 intranasally (group A) or intravaginally (group B). After CpHV-1 challenge, the four control goats showed the typical genital lesions, whereas all the vaccinated goats were fully protected against clinical signs. Protection against infection depended on the number of injections of vaccine and the route of challenge.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Demonstration of erythrophagocytosis in Trypanosoma congolense-infected goats.

Anaemia is the most prominent clinical sign of trypanosomosis in domestic animals but little is known about its pathogenesis. This work investigated erythrophagocytosis as the possible cause of anaemia. Pathogenic Trypanosoma congolense (IL3000) was intravenously inoculated into six goats at 3x10(6) trypanosomes per goat. Six other goats were maintained as controls. The infection was studied for 10 weeks and parasitaemia, packed cell volume (PCV) and serum protein levels were determined. The amount of erythrophagocytosis was determined from the amount of 51Cr-labelled red blood cells (RBCs) phagocytosed by self mononuclear cells (MNCs) in vitro and by microscopically counting phagocytosed RBCs on Giemsa stained smears of incubated mixtures of RBCs and self MNCs. The infection resulted in trypanosomosis with rapid progressive anaemia and mean peaks of parasitaemia of about 3x10(3)ml(-1). In infected goats, a significant (P<0.05) mean reduction in PCV (of 37-22%) was observed starting from about 20 days up to 56 days post-infection. Within this same phase, significant (P<0.05) differences in mean radioactivity counts of (51)Cr incorporated into MNCs were observed with infected goats' samples having counts 50% higher than the control goats' samples. Microscopically, the mean number of phagocytosed RBCs in infected goats' MNCs was noted to be 80% higher (P<0.05) than that of control goats. Appreciable increases (P<0.05) in mean serum globulin levels, from 3.5 to 4.7g/dl, were observed within 3 weeks of infection. The study showed that erythrophagocytosis is an important mechanism leading to anaemia in the pathophysiology of T. congolense infection in Zambian goats.

Anemia↗

PubMed1996

Role of enteric pathogens in the aetiology of neonatal diarrhoea in lambs and goat kids in Spain.

Faeces samples from diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic lambs and goat kids aged 1-45 days were examined for enteric pathogens. Cryptosporidium parvum was detected in both diarrhoeic lambs (45%) and goat kids (42%) but not in non-diarrhoeic animals. F5+ (K99+) and/or F41+ Escherichia coli strains were isolated from 26% and 22% of the diarrhoeic lambs and goat kids, respectively, although these strains, which did not produce enterotoxins ST I or LT I, were found with similar frequencies in non-diarrhoeic animals. A F5-F41-ST I+ E. coli strain was isolated from a diarrhoeic lamb (0.6%). Verotoxigenic E. coli was isolated from both diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic lambs (4.1% and 8.2%, respectively) and there was no association between infection and diarrhoea. The prevalence of group A rotavirus infection in diarrhoeic lambs was very low (2.1%). Groups A and B rotaviruses were detected in three (8.1%) and five (13.5%) diarrhoeic goat kids from two single outbreaks. Group C rotaviruses were detected in four non-diarrhoeic goat kids. An association of diarrhoea and infection was demonstrated only for group B rotavirus. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from 10.8% of the diarrhoeic goat kids but not from non-diarrhoeic goat kids or lambs. Salmonella arizonae was isolated from a diarrhoeic goat kid (2.7%) and the clinical characteristics of the outbreaks where these two latter enteropathogens were found different from the rest. Picobirnaviruses were detected in a diarrhoeic lamb. No coronaviruses were detected using a bovine coronavirus ELISA. No evidence was found of synergistic effect between the agents studied. Enteric pathogens were not found in four (8.7%) and three (20%) outbreaks of diarrhoea in lambs and goat kids, respectively.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2000

The effect of oral administration of polyethylene glycol on faecal helminth egg counts in pregnant goats grazed on browse containing condensed tannins.

Thirty yearling F1 Anglo-Nubian x Mubende goats, averaging 21 +/- 0.45 kg, kept on free-range feeding in the Ankole range land, Uganda, were screened for health and nutritional status, effectively treated against helminth parasites, mated, and randomly divided into two equal groups during a 3-month preparatory phase. During the 6 months that followed, the goats in one group received a daily oral dose (50 g/goat) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), while the other group acted as the control (no PEG). The goats were monitored for faecal nematode egg counts and body weight gains, along with the quality of their diet, nematode contamination of the pasture, and the prevailing climatic factors in the area. Goats treated with PEG had significantly (p < 0.05) higher faecal helminth egg loads. The mean nematode eggs per gram of faeces (epg) of the PEG group (290 epg) was more than double that of the control group (129 epg). All the PEG-treated goats exhibited moderate to severe infections at the end of the experiment. The gain in body weight during gestation was lower (p < 0.05) in the PEG group (70.4 g per goat per day) than in the control group (91.8 g per goat per day). The PEG group lost 2.3 g per goat per day in the fifth month. PEG deactivates condensed tannins, and it was concluded that condensed tannins play a significant role in reducing the negative effects of gastrointestinal helminth burdens in the natural free-range feeding system of the Ankole range land in Uganda. Selective feeding on such range lands might expose goats to optimal concentrations of dietary condensed tannins with resultant beneficial effects.

Administration, Oral↗