Case report

Management of paratuberculosis in a dairy goat herd

Authors

  • L. J. Hutchinson The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Veterinary Science, 115 W. L. Henning Building, University Park, PA 16802
  • D. Weinstock The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Veterinary Science, 115 W. L. Henning Building, University Park, PA 16802
  • L. I. Byler The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Veterinary Science, 115 W. L. Henning Building, University Park, PA 16802

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol38no2p142-146

Keywords:

diagnosis, diagnostic techniques, disease control, disease prevalence, ELISA, epidemiology, immunodiffusion tests, paratuberculosis, serological surveys, seroprevalence

Abstract

A total of 234 adult, mixed-breed dairy goats in the USA were screened for paratuberculosis antibodies using ELISA and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) methods licensed for bovine use in January 2000. All does which had one or more parturitions were included in the serological screening tests conducted at 6-month intervals over a 2-year period. Test-positive animals were removed from the herd and, at the owners' discretion, were either euthanized and examined by necropsy, histopathology and culture, or sold for meat purposes. Management practices for control of paratuberculosis transmission were also implemented. There was good agreement between ELISA and AGID test results (Kappa=0.625). Of 41 seropositive goats submitted for necropsy, 39 (95%) were paratuberculosis-positive. Over a 2-year period, herd seroprevalence declined from 9.83 to 3.59% among adult does. Testing for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and adopting management practices recommended for control of paratuberculosis in cattle appeared to reduce the seroprevalence of paratuberculosis in this goat herd.

Cover image of Volume 38, No.2 of the Bovine Practitioner: a photo of the Fort Worth Livestock Exchange, with several tents set up in front, a stack of firewood, and a fire pit. Two men wearing cowboy hats and button downs stand in front of the building chatting.

Downloads

Published

2004-06-01

How to Cite

Hutchinson, L. J., Weinstock, D., & Byler, L. I. (2004). Case report: Management of paratuberculosis in a dairy goat herd. The Bovine Practitioner, 38(2), 142–146. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol38no2p142-146

Issue

Vol. 38, No. 2 (2004 June)

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)