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Caseous Lymphadenitis in Goats |
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Written by Administrator-GL
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Page 1 of 2 Caseous Lymphadenitis in Goats
CL, Boils and Abscesses in Goats
Every goat producer eventually is threatened with the possibility of having CLA (Caseous Lymphadenitis) in their goat herd. CLA is possibly one of the most controversial topics in goat management and can be quite frightening.
How to recognize and deal with the dreaded CLA (Caseous Lymphadentitis) in goats. Various articles about this abscess - what is and what is not a typical location for CL Abscess.
NOT ALL ABSCESSES ARE CLA!
CL And NON CL (CASEOUS LYMPHADENITIS) Abscesses
Unfortunately every time a goat gets an abscess, the first thing the
owner is bombarded with is lectures on CL (CASEOUS LYMPHADENITIS)
caused by Corynebacterium
pseudotuberculosis ; and the goat owner dealing with this abscess
immediately is frightened into culling the goat.
There ARE abscesses which are NOT CL!
Read this Before You CULL!
A Quick review of CL
Also known as "Cheesy Gland" because of the dryish
purulent excudate (pus)
which is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium
pseudotuberculosis and typically affects sheep and goats.
It is a highly contagious disease which usually locates itself in the
lymph glands but can also be internalized into the lungs and organs.
So, How does a Goat get CL?
The disease is spread through a herd by soil contamination from an
external abscess which has burst and contaminated the
environment, then picked up by another animal via mucus membranes or
open tissue.. The organisms can live in the soil for extended periods
of time- sometimes years, possibly infecting other animals with open
wounds or newborn lambs and kids with umbilical cords touching the
ground, does and ewes in milk whose teats are exposed by laying on the
contaminated soil are a few examples of how the disease may spread
. It is common for the disease to spread within sheep herds and
Angora Goat herds via shearing contaminated animals and not
sterilizing shearing equipment between animals.
There are 2 forms of this disease- Superficial (abscesses of lymph
nodes) and Visceral (abscesses of internal organs). Visceral abscesses
will condemn carcasses of meat animals while the Superficial abscesses
will ruin the pelt of the animal.
The Clinical Signs of CL in the Superficial form are visible abscesses
just under the skin - usually near the lymph glands: This form is most
typical in goats.
These abscesses are typically filled with pus that is a white, yellow,
or greenish color and usually has no real odor. It is a dryish
exudate (pus) that appears cheesy. If left untreated, the nodule will
grow larger until the wall of the nodule thins and it bursts, allowing
the bacteria to be released into the environment. It can live years in
the right environment- whether it be in the soil, barn floor or feed
bins.
"Researchers have shown that the organism is capable of entering the
lungs by inhalation and can spread to internal organs by injection into
the bloodstream. Studies also show that it can cross the membranes of
the digestive tract and vagina, and that a break in the skin is not
needed for an animal to become infected." 1
The Clinical Signs of CL in the Visceral form are long term emaciation,
coughing, and general poor health. The internal organs most affected
are the lungs, kidney and liver- mostly in sheep, but can appear in
goats.
Antemortem findings
- Animal is lagging behind the flock.
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Purulent (Containing, discharging, or causing the production of
pus) ocular (eye) and nasal (nose) discharge
- Enlarged superficial body lymph nodes
- Generalized disease is associated with weight loss,
depression and loss of appetite
Postmortem findings :
- Caseous abscesses in the superficial lymph nodes and carcass
muscle structure
- Firm and dry abscess in the kidney and other
organs. Soft pasty abscess in the early stages changes to firm
and dry with a characteristic laminated appearance in the
later stages of disease.
- Abscess content is creamy and pasty in goats
- Pneumonia
NON- CLA Abscesses
Pasteurella Abscess excudate is different in appearance and odor than the typical Cheesy CLA Excudate  Pasteurella abscesses have a foul odor and are wetter and sticky - unlike the dryish cheesy appearance of the CLA excudate (pus)- which has little to no odor.
Tooth Abscess in goat that "could be" mistaken for a CL Abscess:
Salivary Gland Abscess that also could be mistaken for a CL Abscess
 Photo diary of NON CLA (Pasteurella) Abscess Removal in pygmy goat
Article on How To Treat CL using Formalin
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