LISTERIOSIS IN GOAT

Listeriosis in Goat

Listeriosis, a disease most frequently encountered in sheep, goats, and cattle, is caused by pathogenic gram-positive intracellular Listeria species; typical signs in small ruminants include ataxia, circling, head tilt, and unilateral cranial nerve deficits, and the organism can spread to humans through meat and milk products.

How to Diagnose

  1. Affected goat showing high fever initially, depression, decreased appetite, leaning or moving in one direction only.

    Goat with fever and circling

  2. Head pulled to flank with rigid neck, facial paralysis on one side.

    Facial paralysis and rigid neck

  3. Blindness, slack jaw, and drooling of saliva in affected goat.

    Blindness and drooling

  4. Goats grazing in market areas and eating garbage or left-out food are mostly affected.

    Goats eating garbage

  5. In dead carcasses, stomach impacted with polythene bags.

    Stomach impacted with polythene

Type of Samples

From ailing goats: blood and CSF; in dead animals: brain tissue, spleen, liver, and kidney.

Laboratory Tests

  • Haematological and CSF examination.
  • Isolation of bacteria.
  • PCR.
  • Histopathology to demonstrate micro-abscess.

Whom To Contact

1) Local Veterinarian Officer / Field Assistant.

2) NERDDL, AH & Vety Khanapara, ADMaC Core Lab, AAU.

a) Dr. N. N. Barman

Email: nnbarman@gmail.com

Mob: 09435558788

b) Dr. Abhijit Deka

Email: docabhijit93@gmail.com

Mob: 09864531247

What will you do

  1. Do not allow goats to move in market places.
  2. Do not provide spoiled vegetables.
  3. Separate the affected ones from the healthy.
  4. Inform the nearest Veterinary Doctor / Field Assistant.
  5. Send appropriate samples via Veterinary Doctor / Field Assistant to the nearest diagnostic laboratory / ADMaC Core Lab-I, Khanapara for confirmation.
  6. Bury dead goats in a 5–6 ft deep pit with sufficient common salt/lime or washing soda.
  7. Affected animals can be treated at the fever phase.