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Johne's disease (paratuberculosis)
Johne's disease is now deregulated so it's Buyer Beware
Johne's disease is a condition that has no treatment and can persist in the environment for over a year. This disease has an incubation period that can span several years. Goats affected by Johne's disease typically appear skinny and gradually become weaker. The disease can be introduced through contact with an infected goat, cow, sheep, deer, or alpaca, or through their manure.
Only buy goats from tested negative herds
Testing only the goat you purchase or a kid will not prevent the introduction of Johne's disease into your herd, as tests often return positive around the time the goat becomes infectious. Unfortunately, there is no accurate test for a kid. It’s advisable to obtain copies of the annual negative tests for the whole herd from the last few years and inquire about biosecurity measures implemented between these tests. Ideally, only acquire goats from herds that participate in an official scheme, such as MAP. You can check the database of herds involved in MAP here.
MAP herds
Purchasing goats from herds participating in the Market Assurance Scheme is the safest method available. Dr. Sandra Baxendell is here to guide you through the entire process.
Bound Booklet (posted within Australia or e-book if overseas)
$25.00
($8.00 shipping)
A comprehensive summary of the latest research on Johne's disease, also known as paratuberculosis, in goats is presented in a well-organized and easy-to-read format.
Questions about Johne's disease in goats
What are the Signs e.g. Bottle Jaw?
Johne's disease causes severe thinness
How do you test for Johne's disease?
While bottle jaw or fluid under the jaw is often a sign of barbers pole worms it can also be a sign of of liver fluke or Johne's disease. Wasting or excessive thinness despite a good appetite and access to feed is another clinical sign. Severe diarrhoea as seen in cattle is not common.
How do you test for Johne's disease?
Johne's disease causes severe thinness
How do you test for Johne's disease?
Goats can be tested for Johne's disease by either blood tests or faecal tests. A positive ELISA test should always be confirmed by a faecal test. Faecal samples should be collected straight from the rectum with a new glove for each goat. No test works in early incubation.
Johne's disease causes severe thinness
Johne's disease causes severe thinness
Johne's disease causes severe thinness
Extreme thinness or wasting in adult despite a good appetite and available feed is a sign of Johne's disease. Internal parasites and CAE must be ruled out as other possible causes. Once signs occur the goat is shedding millions of bacteria that lasts long periods in the soil.