Caseous lymphadenitis in goats

Two dairy goat stud herds were surveyed for Corynebacterium ovis infection by clinical examination and serum tests using both the haemolysis inhibition and double immunodiffusion techniques for detection of C. ovis antitoxin. In one herd, of 53 goats 11 had abscesses from which C. ovis was recorded; 33 and 29 goats were positive to the haemolysis inhibition and double immunodiffusion tests respectively. Serums from 10 and 9 of 23 kids gave reactions positive to the respective tests with 19 of 23 kids having been born to does with demonstrable antibody. In a second herd of 57 goats 16 had superficial abscesses containing C. ovis; serums from 34 and 45 goats gave positive reactions to the haemolysis inhibition and double immunodiffusion tests respectively. The prevalence of caseous lymphadenitis in these stud herds was a cause of economic loss to the owners through euthanasia of severely affected goats, reduced milk production and emaciation, the cost of labour and drugs for treatment, jeopardisation of income from boarding or mating with outside stock and the appearance of goats at stud shows, and sale of valuable breeding stock to local and export markets.