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ALABAMA A&M AND AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

Vaccination Protocol for a

Goat Herd

Introduction

Recent surveys conductedby researchers at AlabamaA&M University indicated that80 percent of Alabama andTennessee goat producersreported that they do notvaccinate their herds. How-ever, vaccination is a precau-

tion that goat producersshould adopt to preventinfectious diseases.

Why Vaccinate?

For many diseases, it ischeaper to vaccinate thanto treat.

Vaccination decreases thechance of goats contract-ing various diseases.

If a vaccinated goat isexposed to a disease andstill contracts the disease,the course of illness maybe shorter and less severe,with reduced rates ofmortality.

Vaccination reduces eco-nomic losses associatedwith animal illness anddeath.

What is a Vaccine?

A vaccine is a substancethat causes a goat's immunesystem to respond by produc-ing specific antibodies (pro-teins). Currently, goat vac-cines are categorized asmodified-live, killed, andtoxoid.

Modified-live vaccinesuselive microorganisms thathave been weakened. Thistype of vaccine causes aprolonged response of theanimal's immune system.The vaccine for sore mouthdisease is an example of amodified-live vaccine.

Killed vaccinesuse killed(inactivated) bacteria orviruses. These vaccines,which include the pneumo-nia vaccine, are generallysafer than live vaccines.

Toxoid vaccinesare com-prised of disease-causingbacteria that producetoxins that invade thebloodstream. Toxoid vac-cines, such as those for

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Vaccinate goats for disease prevention

enterotoxemia and teta-nus, use bacterial toxinsthat have been renderedharmless to provide immu-nity against the toxin.

How Do VaccinesWork?

A vaccine stimulatesproduction of B cells (white

blood cells). These B cellsproduce plasma cells (a typeof white blood cell) that inturn produce antibodies (spe-cific proteins), which fightparticular invaders. Onceproduced, these antibodiescirculate in the goat's blood-stream. Once the goat's bodyhas produced a particular

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2 Alabama Cooperative Extension System

antibody, it rapidly producesmore antibodies if needed. Inaddition to the B cells, otherwhite blood cells, such asmacrophages and T cells, willhelp destroy invading diseases.Antibodies and memory T cellsimmediately react to the organ-

ism, attacking the invaderbefore disease can develop.

Vaccine-Induced Immunity

Vaccine-induced immunityprovides results days after thegoat has been vaccinated. Thevaccine triggers a response toinfection from the immunesystem without exposure tothe pathogens in their fulldisease-producing form.

Extra doses or boosters ofa vaccine may be needed toproduce a full immune re-sponse. In some animals, asingle vaccination induces alower response and only aftera second vaccination will theanimal achieve full immunity.

Some vaccines induce ashort period of immunity.

Thus, goats may need yearlybooster shots to restore orincrease immunity to a spe-cific disease.

Do Vaccines Work?

No vaccine is 100 percentefficient. The immune re-sponse to a vaccine dependson the type of vaccine usedand the ability of the animalto respond to the vaccine

administered. Some vaccinescan protect up to 98 percentof vaccinated animals. Someproduce lower protectionrates. A vaccine may induce aweaker immunoprotectiveresponse if the animals haveweaker immune systems.Thus, the animals do notproduce enough antibodies to

fight disease. Even if everygoat in a herd was vaccinatedagainst a specific disease, afew goats in the herd may notrespond to the vaccine andwill be at risk of contractingthe disease.

Diseases to VaccinateAgainst

Enterotoxemia and Tetanus

Vaccinate pregnant doesagainst clostridial diseasesenterotoxemia and tetanus; usea vaccine against Clostridiumperfringens types C and D andagainst C. tetani during thefourth month of pregnancy. This

vaccine is commonly referred toas the 'Clostridial CD/T' vaccine.Herd bucks may also receiveannual CD/T booster shots atthis time.

Vaccinate kids againstenterotoxemia and tetanus atthree months of age. Abooster should be adminis-tered one month later thenonce annually.

Pneumonia

Vaccinate against pneumo-nia caused by Pasteurellamultocidaor Mannheimiahaemolytica. The pneumoniacurrently available on themarket causes temporarylimping in goats.

Vaccinate adults with twodosages, two to four weeks

apart. Kids vaccinated whileless than three months oldshould be revaccinated atweaning or at four to sixmonths of age.

Leptospirosis

Vaccinate against lep-tospirosis in regions where thedisease is prevalent or in case

of an outbreak under veteri-narian guidance. The commer-cially available vaccine is notlabeled for goats and is con-sidered to be an extra-labeledproduct. Consult a veterinar-ian to administer this vaccineamong your herd.

Foot Rot

Vaccination against footrot is practiced by some goatproducers. A vaccine used forsheep has not been approvedfor use in goats by the UnitedStates Food and Drug Admin-istration (FDA). It has beeneffective, however, in reduc-ing the severity and incidenceof foot rot in sheep. In sheepherds, its recommended useis two to four weeks prior tothe rainy season, with abooster between six weeksand six months later. Boostersshould be given twice a year,one to two weeks prior toexpected outbreaks. Thevaccine causes a localizedraised lump at the injectionsite and is not recommendedfor use in pregnant ewes.

Caseous lymphadenitis

(CL)

Some goat producers usea commercially availablevaccine for sheep to vaccinateagainst caseous lymphadenitis(CL) in goats. However, acombination of ClostridiumC&D/T plus CL vaccine pro-duces a strong adverse reac-tion, and is not recommended

by the FDA for use in goats.

Rabies

There are several killedvirus rabies vaccines made forsheep that are not labeled forgoats. The vaccines seem to beeffective for goats; however,they are too expensive to bepractical in many situations.

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Vaccination Protocol for a Goat Herd 3

Chlamydia

A killed vaccine to preventchlamydia and abortion insheep is available. This vaccineis not labeled for use in goats;however, it seems to be some-what effective. The vaccine

produces side effects thatinclude muscular soreness andstiffness, and the vaccine cancause abortion if goats arevaccinated during the first 28to 45 days of pregnancy.

Autogenous vaccines,vaccines made from bacteriaisolated from a specific herd,are another source of immuni-zation. However, a reputablecertified laboratory mustproduce the vaccine. Beforeusing an autogenous vaccine,test it in several animals foradverse side effects. Goats aremore sensitive than sheep tothese types of vaccines.

NOTE:

For better immune

response and to preventillness, vaccinate onlyhealthy animals thatshow signs of goodhealth and body condi-tion. Adverse reactions,including anaphylaxis,may occur followingvaccination. If anaphy-laxis occurs, administerepinephrine immediately.

SIGNSOFANUNHEALTHY GOAT

Body temperature: Above104 F

Heart rate: At rest lowerthan 70 to 80/minute andabove 80/minute

Respiratory rate: Above12 to15 breaths/minute (20to 35 for kids)

Ruminal Movements: Nomovement or less often than1 to 1.5/minute

Attitude: Lethargic, listless,

unsociable, away from theherd

Appetite: Doesn't eat ordrink water; no sign of cudchewing

Weight: No weight gaindespite good appetite

Eyes: Runny eyes, paleinner eyelids

Nose: Heavy mucous innose; runny nose.

Coat/Skin: Rough, dull haircoat; hair falling out, pres-ence of lesions

Droppings: Diarrhea,watery with presence ofmucous or blood

Breathing: Labored, cough-

ing

Gait: Limping

Body: Swelling on any partof body

SIGNSOFAHEALTHY GOAT

Normal body temperature:101.5 to 103.5 F

Heart rate: 70 to 80/minute

Respiratory rate at rest:Approximately 12-15breaths/minute (20 to 35 forkids)

Ruminal Movements: 1 to1.5/minutes

Attitude: Alert and inquisi-tive, sociable

Appetite: Interested in food;eats and drinks normally.Chews cud after feeding

Weight: Weighs the averagepattern for the breed

Reproductive Organs:Normally presents no signs ofany discharge, unless femaleis in heat or postpartum

Eyes: Bright and not runny

Nose: Cool and dry

Coat/Skin: Clean, glossy;no lumps, no lesions

Droppings: Firm in form ofpellets

Urine: Light brown; no bloodpresent

Breathing: Regular;unlabored

Gait: Steady; no limping

Vocal: Normal sounds

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Maria Leite-Browning, DVM, MS,Extension Animal Scientist, AlabamaA&M University

References to a company or product name does not imply approval or recommendation

of the product by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System or the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.

For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your telephone directory

under your countys name to find the number.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and

June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama

Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational

programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national

origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

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2007 by Alabama Cooperative Extension System. All rights reserved.

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References

Merck & Company, Inc. (2006). Enterotoxemias. The Merck Veterinary Manual. Retrieved February14, 2007, from http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/50711.htm.

Pugh, D.G. (2002). Sheep and goat medicine. Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Company.

Smith, Mary C. & Sherman, David M. (1994). Herd health management and preventive medicine.In Goat Medicine, p. 565-578. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger.

Vaccination Guide

Follow manufacturer's guidelines for vaccine dosage, route of administration, product storage,and expiration date.

Avoid drug residues in meat and milk by following the recommended drug withdrawal timesprinted on label for treated animals that will enter the food chain via slaughter or will providemilk for human consumption.

Disinfect the injection site with alcohol.

Use sterile needles and use a new needle for each animal. Administer vaccines to goats using a 20-gauge, 1-inch needle for adult animals. For smaller

does and kids, 1/2-inch needles may be used. Used needles should be kept in a container fordisposal.

Keep vaccination records. Be aware of contraindication of the product before applying. Consult a veterinarian for disease control and product orientation.