However, users should direct all inquires about the contents to authors or originating agencies. University Park DE Health and Disease Management Text 1 Clinical pneumonia in goats is almost invariably preceeded by some event or set of circumstances commonly referred to as stress. This very broad term, stress includes such factors as weaning, long distance hauling, weather factors including sudden temperature changes or low nightime with high daytime temperatures, poorly ventilated barns especially those heated in extremely cold weather, overcrowding, malnutrition, feed changes, parasitism and worming. These microorganisms are prevented from causing disease by the normal animal's body defense mechanisms. The relationship between the body and the microorganism is sometimes a very delicate balance especially in the very young animal.
Stressing factors can tip the balance in favor of the microorgansim and against the young animal.
2 Barn ventilation in extremely cold weather deserves special comment because it is often overlooked. Warming a barn increases the relative humidity, thus producing a stressful situation. Moisture should never be allowed to accumulate on the walls, ceilings and floors. The rule to follow, especially in barns where the bedding is allowed to accumulate and help maintain the warmth, is if the inside temperature is 5F above the outside temperature, an exhaust fan of adequate capacity to prevent moisture condensation must be used. In the United States of America the most common cause of pneumonia in goats is Pasteurella multocida and P. hemplytica.