Vaccination helps prevent the acute death syndrome, but a few vaccinated animals may develop symptoms of the disease. In the young kid, signs are watery diarrhea, depression, wobbly gait and sometimes convulsions. In acute cases, the temperature may be 105 E F and death usually occurs in 4 to 48 hours. Milk yield drops abruptly if the animal is lactating, and death may occur in 24 hours. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you have a problem, but death may be the first observed symptom.
Treatment involves administration of antitoxin and antibiotics plus treatment of acidosis.
Pneumonia and related respiratory problems are more common in kids but affect all ages of goats. To prevent the disease, decrease stress on the goats by providing dry, well-ventilated housing with adequate space. Good nutrition, deworming and avoiding changes in environment decrease the problem. Vaccination for specific organisms causing the respiratory problems will help. To treat respiratory diseases, correct the predisposing factors contributing to the disease and treat with antibiotics.