Pneumonia is a common respiratory disease in goats. Bacteria, mycoplasma, or virus may cause this disease; therefore, it is very complicated and difficult to diagnose the cause accurately.

Pasteurelosis is a bacterial pneumonia. Pasteurella multocida and P. haemolytica cause this disease. It is an acute disease and causes death. Symptoms include depression, lack of appetite, pus-like discharge from the nose and the eyes. Occasional coughing and fever is usually present.

Mycoplasmosis is a mycoplasmal pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma mycoides. It primarily attacks kids two to 10 weeks of age and is the most common cause of pneumonia in Arizona goats. Symptoms of this disease are characterized by acute pneumonia and arthritis. Swollen joints, especially front and rear knees, fever, and difficult breathing is also present. Swelling of the face and head is also sometimes seen.

Chronic pneumonia is a poorly documented respiratory disease of goats. A virus may cause it, but it is further complicated by common pneumonia caused by bacteria. It is usually found in breeding goats and newborn kids acquire the agent early in life from an infected mother.

Symptoms of this disease are recurring episodes of acute pneumonia. At each episode, the animals lack appetite, are completely lifeless, depressed, and have difficulty breathing. Mucus membranes of the mouth, vulva and sheath have a blue tinting, a sign of oxygen shortage.

Pneumonia in goats is usually preceded by some kind of stress. Stressful conditions involve weaning, long distance hauling, sudden change in weather, poor ventilation, overcrowding, malnutrition, sudden change in feed, parasitism, and worming. The microorganisms (germs) that cause it are usually normal inhabitants of the respiratory tract. Under normal conditions, the body’s natural defense inhibits the growth of the germs and keeps the balance between the microbes and the body, especially in young animals. Stressful conditions may break the balance in favor of microorganisms and then cause disease. Avoid stressful conditions and practice good hygiene. Animals maintained on a good plane of nutrition are both protected and more resistant to stress. Avoid overcrowding and extreme changes in the animal’s environment and, finally, cull animals having chronic pneumonia.

Barn ventilation in extremely cold weather is very important. Heating the barn increases the relative humidity and produces a stressful condition for the goats. Avoid accumulation of moisture on the walls, ceilings and floors, especially when bedding is used to maintain warmth. If the inside temperature is 5°F above the outside, use an exhaust fan of adequate capacity to prevent condensation. Goats can withstand -25°F if kept in well-ventilated, draft-free barns.

To diagnose and identify the cause for appropriate treatment for pneumonia, consult your veterinarian. Bacterial pneumonia can be more accurately diagnosed than mycoplasmal or viral pneumonia.Treatment is more effective for bacterial pneumonia than mycoplasmal pneumonia, and it has been unsuccessful for chronic (viral) pneumonia.

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