Irina Boytseva

Practicing veterinarian with 17 years of experience

Articles written

Among domestic animals and small livestock in particular, goats have the strongest immunity, which allows the farmer to practically not worry about the health of these pets. However, some diseases can also affect goats, the reason for this may be improper care or infection from outside. The most dangerous disease is brucellosis in goats, which has almost no symptoms and poses a threat to the human body. This disease is difficult to diagnose, treatment is also difficult, and it can even be transmitted through goat milk (for this reason it is recommended to pasteurize it). Let's figure out how to identify the danger and eliminate it.

The first information about this disease appeared in the works of Hippocrates, and for a long time it was called "Maltese fever." More Full description Brucellosis was compiled much later, in the mid-19th century, by the British physician Bruce. The disease was not given much attention until the infection became an epidemic. Active measures to combat infection began closer to the 1940-50s. The introduction of mandatory vaccination and goat breeding standards made it possible to reduce the percentage of sick livestock to a minimum.

This disease is infectious in nature and is caused by the intracellular Brucella virus. Brucellosis also occurs among other animal species, but humans most often acquire the disease from goats. In these horned animals, the disease occurs with minimal symptoms, but develops and spreads throughout the body quickly. Females are the first to become infected and the first to suffer reproductive system(subsequent miscarriages and forced termination of pregnancy), then the musculoskeletal system is affected. The disease is transmitted from mother to kid in utero or through milk. It is useless to treat this disease. Brucellosis goes through three stages of development in the animal’s body:

  1. Acute form - at this stage the incubation period passes and signs of the disease appear.
  2. Chronic is the longest stage of disease development.
  3. Latent is a suppressed form of brucellosis, the most dangerous for the animal’s body.

Causes of brucellosis

The question “do goats get brucellosis” does not cause any difficulties, but the causes of infection are not so obvious. Knowing what triggered the disease, you can immediately begin treatment, so it is important to establish a number of factors contributing to the development of brucellosis. The main reason is that any type of Brucella bacteria enters the goat's body. Infection can occur through mucous membranes, wounds, any lesions of the skin, or the genital tract. The source of infection in all these cases is a sick animal that comes into contact with the rest of the livestock. The rate of spread of brucellosis infection among the herd is low, but all queens become infected upon first contact with a carrier of the virus.

The causative agent of the disease spreads through all waste products and body fluids: milk, feces, urine, blood. Meat obtained after the slaughter of an infected animal is also contaminated. The reason may also be a weakening of the body’s protective functions, a decrease in its resistance to the virus. This is caused, as a rule, by violations of sanitary and hygienic standards in stalls, inconsistency temperature regime, drafts. Reduced nutritional properties of the food supply also weaken the goat’s body and make it vulnerable to harmful microorganisms.

Brucellosis –infection of a zoonotic nature, clinically manifested by chills, fever, sweating, neurovascular disorders in the acute course and deep inflammatory and destructive changes in the organs of the reticuloendothelial system, endocrine glands, neurovascular, endocrine systems and the musculoskeletal system in the chronic course.

Epizootology. Under natural conditions, small cattle can become infected with brucellosis through the mucous membranes of the mouth and esophagus when ingesting feed or water containing the causative agent of brucellosis, as well as through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nasal cavity, and vagina. Infection is also possible through the skin, especially the legs, through contact with infected manure. Infection of small livestock is also possible during mating with an infected sire. Brucellosis is usually introduced into healthy herds of small ruminants through the introduction of brucellosis-infected animals. The source of infection of small livestock with brucellosis can be infected pastures and water sources.

Pathogenesis. The causative agent of brucellosis, having entered the body of a sheep or goat through the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, vagina, through the conjunctiva, damaged skin, etc., multiplies for some time at the site of its penetration and in the nearest lymph nodes. Depending on the dose and virulence of the pathogen, as well as on the resistance of the animal, after 1-10 or more days, Brucella penetrates the blood and spreads throughout the body, i.e. generalization of the infection occurs. With the development of the infectious process, antibodies appear in the blood of the infected animal. Bacteremia in an animal is short-lived, and blood culture can be obtained only in the first 10-30 days, and even then not constantly. Brucella finds the most favorable environment for its reproduction in the pregnant uterus, where inflammation of the membranes (placenta) develops, fetal nutrition is disrupted, the fetus dies, and how foreign body it is thrown out of the body. If the body's resistance in small ruminants is low, the brucellosis infection is localized, becomes latent and drags on for 1-2 years or longer. For a longer period of time, Brucella is localized in infected animals in the udder and lymph nodes, mainly the supra-udperal and pelvic cavity. In rams and goats, Brucella is localized in the testicles for a long time. When the resistance of the body of sheep and goats decreases, as a result of the presence of other diseases, during starvation, as well as in a state of sickness, etc. Latent brucellosis infection in an infected animal can worsen and become generalized again. In these cases, some of the sheep abort again. Brucellosis in small cattle is characterized by age-related resistance, expressed in the resistance of young animals to brucellosis.

Clinical picture. During experimental infection of sheep with Br. melitensis in the first 3-4 days the animal experiences an increase in body temperature to 40.5-41°C, a depressed state and loss of appetite. After this, the state of the infected animal’s body returns to normal and the animal’s disease becomes chronic, being asymptomatic in most cases. Clinical signs of brucellosis manifest themselves mainly in pregnant sheep and goats in the form of abortions (infectious and invasive abortions in small domestic animals), after which in aborted animals retention of placenta (retention of placenta in small domestic animals) and endometritis (acute postpartum endometritis in small domestic animals) are noted animals). With brucellosis, abortions in pregnant animals become widespread - from 20 to 60% of the uterus aborts. Before an abortion, just as during normal childbirth, the uterus experiences swelling and redness of the pudendal lips and vaginal mucosa, mucopurulent discharge comes from the animal’s vagina, the udder swells, and the animal becomes restless. The uterus aborts most often at the 4-5th month of pregnancy, and some even earlier. The timing of abortion depends on the period of pregnancy at the time of infection, the virulence of the pathogen, the dose of infectious material and the body's resistance. In some infected animals, the fetus goes to term, but is thrown out dead or is born non-viable and dies in the first 1-2 days. Pathological changes. The cause of abortion is purulent catarrhal metritis. During an abortion, the fetal membranes are gelatinously infiltrated and in places covered with flakes of fibrin and pus; the fetus is often swollen, there is fluid mixed with blood in the chest and abdominal cavities. The uterus is enlarged, its walls are thickened and flabby. The mucous membrane is swollen, hyperemic, with spotty-banded hemorrhages. The mammary gland is in a state of interstitial inflammation. The supraglavicular and deep inguinal lymph nodes are enlarged, dense, grayish-white in color. The spleen and liver are enlarged. In rams and goats, purulent-necrotic orchitis and epididymitis are recorded with the formation of abscesses and necrotic foci in the testes and appendages.

Diagnosis brucellosis of small ruminants is assessed in a comprehensive manner, taking into account epizootological data, the clinical picture of the disease, and the results of bacteriological and serological studies. During the clinical examination of animals, the welfare of lambing stock, the presence of animals with signs characteristic of brucellosis (abortion, retained placenta, endometritis), and the presence of orchitis and bursitis in males are taken into account in the breeding stock. For bacteriological examination, pathological material (fetus with placenta, pieces of parenchymal organs, blood, milk, etc.), fresh or canned, is sent to the veterinary laboratory. At the same time, milk, blood serum or blood from an animal that aborted or was killed for diagnostic purposes is sent to the laboratory for serological testing. Bacteriological diagnosis of brucellosis consists of bacterioscopy of smears from pathological material and, if necessary, performing a bioassay on guinea pigs. At the same time, the isolation of a Brucella culture when sowing biomaterial on special nutrient media and a positive bioassay on guinea pigs are of decisive importance in making a bacteriological diagnosis of brucellosis. For serological reactions in small cattle, RA, RSK, RDSC, and RPB are used. The diagnosis of brucellosis is considered established: 1. When a Brucella culture is isolated from biomaterial. 2. With a positive biotest. 3. If the results of serological tests in RA are positive: 100 IU/ml or higher, RSC in a serum dilution of 1:5 or higher. If among sheep and goats those reacting only to RA -25-50 IU/ml are detected, they are re-examined after 15-30 days. Immunized animals are examined for brucellosis in the manner and within the time limits specified in the instructions for the use of the vaccine, and their condition for brucellosis is assessed.

Immunity. A distinctive feature of immunity in brucellosis is its slow formation and weak tension. The duration of developed immunity in sheep and goats varies widely. For immunization of sheep and goats, a vaccine from the B melitensis strain Pев -1 is used. Treatment for animals with brucellosis has not been developed. Prevention of brucellosis. Due to the relativity of vaccine immunity for sheep brucellosis, it is impossible to achieve complete recovery of disadvantaged flocks from brucellosis with vaccination alone. It is necessary to carry out parallel measures to destroy the infectious origin in the foci of infection (cleaning sheds, their disinfection, summer sanitation, etc.). It is extremely important when combating brucellosis in sheep to take measures to prevent the possibility of young animals coming into contact with acute foci of infection. In sheds where lambing takes place, it is necessary to equip an abortion room. This area should house ewes with pre-abortion symptoms as well as ewes that have aborted. Abortion rooms must be cleaned daily of infected litter and disinfected twice.

When improving the health of flocks using a vaccine from the K-24 strain, it is necessary to promptly remove animals that react to brucellosis, both before vaccination and after it within the prescribed time frame (serological complexes).

In flocks of young animals obtained as a result of isolated rearing of lambs born in dysfunctional flocks, after the end of the suckling period, the same complex of anti-brucellosis measures is carried out as in any infected flock.

However, the most effective and quick measure to eliminate brucellosis is the complete replacement of sheep from unfavorable flocks with healthy young animals born from obviously healthy mothers. To receive such young animals, it is necessary to have premises (sheds), as well as bases. Premises that previously housed brucellosis-infected sheep must be prepared in advance. For this purpose, these premises are cleaned of manure and disinfected twice during the summer using a DUK machine. After cleaning, the base area is covered with bleach or quicklime at the rate of 2-3 kg per 1 m2. It is not recommended to plow the area around the sheds. In addition, they carry out cleaning, repair and disinfection of liquid receivers, repair and disinfection of equipment, and destruction of rodents. One of important conditions sanitization of premises and the area around them is the exclusion of animals or poultry from the sanitized premises for four summer months, regardless of the period of disinfection in them. It is also desirable that animals introduced into the farm be vaccinated with a non-agglutinogenic vaccine.

In settlements unaffected by brucellosis, it is necessary to simultaneously carry out work to eradicate brucellosis among small livestock that are in the personal use of the population. Due to the fairly frequent migration of Br. melitensis on cattle, it is necessary to carry out simultaneous rehabilitation of cattle in areas where sheep and cattle are kept together.

Recovery from brucellosis in animals on citizens' farms If sheep or goats sick with brucellosis are detected, all unfavorable livestock of animals of these species are subject to immediate slaughter. In this locality all sheep and goats belonging to other individual owners are tested for brucellosis using serological methods (RBP or RA and RSK, RDSC) until a double (consecutive) negative result is obtained and in the absence of new cases of the disease, the animal population is considered free from brucellosis. In districts, regions, territories and republics with a significant spread of brucellosis, cattle and small livestock belonging to the population, for the purpose of prevention, can be immunized with anti-brucellosis vaccines in the manner prescribed by the instructions for the relevant vaccines.

Brucellosis is an asymptomatic disease that most often and primarily affects females. Subsequently, miscarriages or abortions occur. Abortion in this case is characterized by retention of the placenta, accompanied by metritis, and involution in the uterus is disrupted.

Video - Brucellosis

The disease can be in several forms:

  1. Acute form, when the disease is active and rapidly developing.
  2. Chronic – long-term course.
  3. The latent form tends to last for years.

It is worth noting that before lambing it is rarely possible to find out about the infection, only in case of manifestations, which happens infrequently, or during regular examination of animals by a veterinarian.

Flocks with insufficient levels of sanitary and veterinary care are characterized by the appearance of pathology even after normal lambing. In such herds of goats, abortions occur mainly in young queens, but the kids are resistant to the disease.

For timely determination of the disease and localization of the area of ​​​​spread of brucellosis, it is necessary to note cases of abortions in goats and other small animals. A sample of pathological material and blood is also taken, then the resulting samples are sent to the nearest veterinary laboratory. It carries out a bacteriological or serological examination.

Brucellosis can also be transmitted to people, which creates an increased danger not just for well-being, but for life, provoking Maltese fever. It is therefore necessary to take precautions when caring for sick animals, especially during childbirth, premature birth and abortion. The veterinarian must be prepared for the birth in advance and have the necessary means to safely dispose of bacteria. Also take care of containers for collecting and transferring samples.

Causes of brucellosis

The main cause of brucellosis is the ingestion of the bacterium Brucellus melitensis or other varieties. The routes of penetration of the bacterium are extensive, but most often through mucous membranes or wounds in the skin. In this case, the damaged skin and membrane do not have any visual manifestations.

Infected individuals become the main source of pathogen spread. Together with various liquids and feces, they carry bacteria, which subsequently penetrate into animals. The peculiarity of brucellosis is the high probability of affecting individuals of another species. When the disease occurs in humans, domestic animals or other species of cattle or small cattle, the bacterium does not spread horizontally between individuals. So a person is not a carrier of the virus, but vertical transmission of microbes is possible.

If the pathogen enters the body through the lymphatic route, the bacterium is immediately introduced into the lymph nodes. From there the process of reproduction and further spread begins. This process is equivalent to the incubation period of the disease. The duration of incubation greatly depends on the number of pathogenic bacteria and the health of the body.

The primary latency phase is the period when bacteria stay in the lymph nodes for a long time and the body undergoes restructuring. The immune system sends antibodies that accumulate in the lymph nodes. Thus, examination for a serological or allergic reaction brings a positive result.

The hematogenous phase is the next period when acute clinical symptoms appear. Brucella spreads and leads to disturbances in the nervous autonomic system. This is provoked by the influence of endotoxin and the toxic-allergic course of the reaction.

These phases are aimed at localizing the pathogen and inhibiting the activity of bacteria, but lead to the formation of secondary foci of the disease, which have the form of granules. Since the body becomes sensitized, it leads to the formation of allergic reactions. Hypersensitivity can be delayed or immediate.

Video - Blood collection for brucellosis analysis

Symptoms

The incubation period for Brucellosis is 1 week – 1 month. In cases of latent infection it can reach 2-3 months. Today there is a generally accepted classification of the disease according to its forms:

  1. Acute – duration is 1.5 months.
  2. Subacute – up to 4 months.
  3. Chronic – anything over 4 months.
  4. Residual – persistence of consequences after recovery.

Acute brucellosis develops gradually or quickly. Often, primary manifestations in a herd begin with old individuals. The primary course of the disease, with gradual infection, is accompanied by small general symptoms: malaise, sleep disturbance, painful sensations, that is, the onset of an inflammatory reaction in the joints. All these symptoms are completely unnecessary or practically invisible.

The main symptom of the disease is abortion. The problem in diagnosing the disease lies in its predominantly hidden course. Sick animals often do not have characteristic symptoms. Usually it is not possible to visually detect brucellosis in animals; only the results of serological diagnostics can detect the disease.

Abortion often appears during the 3-5 months of pregnancy, and a few days before this, swelling of the genital organs is noted. A colorless, slightly brownish and sharp-smelling liquid is released.

After an abortion, it is typical for an animal to:

  1. Delay of placenta.
  2. Endometritis develops. Additionally, it may be accompanied by serous or serous-catarrhal mastitis.
  3. Mucopurulent discharge appears, sometimes with fibrinous inclusions;
  4. In the acute course of the disease, the temperature may rise.
  5. Milk yields are greatly reduced.
  6. The goat's body loses weight.
  7. The ESR process is accelerated.
  8. In minor manifestations, leukocytosis is observed.
  9. When the ovaries and fallopian tube are involved in the process, the sexual cycle is disrupted. In some cases this leads to infertility.
  10. There is damage to the joints and inflammatory processes in them. The lesion is predominantly localized in the forelimbs. Often the inflammation is in the wrist, fetlock, elbow and knee joints.
  11. In some cases, the development of serous bursitis or serofibrinous arthritis may occur.

Symptoms are not strong evidence of the detection of brucellosis and a diagnosis cannot be made on its basis. The cause can only be determined through examination.

Characteristics of Brucella and routes of infection

The bacterium belongs to specific types pathogens, as it affects small livestock, mainly goats and sheep, but is also capable of causing Maltese fever in humans. The bacteria can also be transmitted between animals and affect large numbers of livestock; cases of infection of most small animals and domestic animals have been recorded.

The main source of spread of Brucella bacteria is fluids released from the body of affected animals, namely urine, excrement, blood, and milk. The highest levels of bacteria are found in the waters released during childbirth. The main methods of infection are consumption through water, food, sexual intercourse or through household items. Viral bacteria easily pass through the mucous layer.

One infected goat can spread the disease throughout the herd, which is due to the high resistance of bacteria and prolonged exposure outside the body. So microbes can remain in the soil and manure for about 3-4 months, maintaining viability. If milk is contaminated, the virus dies after a week if stored in the refrigerator. During cheese production, the virus can be contained for 1-2 months. Using the salting of bacteria on fresh meat, the viability of up to 3 months is noted; if the product is frozen, then up to 6 months. Exposure to the sun kills the bacteria within 3-4 days. If heated to 70 degrees, death occurs after 10 minutes.

The virus is vulnerable to most disinfectants and dies from contact with an aggressive environment. To clean affected areas or prevent them, you can use one of the following:

  • add freshly slaked lime to the water in the amount of 10-20%;
  • bleach solution 2-3%;
  • Sodium bicarbonate 2%;
  • Lysol 3%.

Brucellosis of small ruminants

Brucellosis is particularly dangerous because it affects most types of livestock, both small and large. The disease is factorial in nature, caused by a viral infection or bacteria. Passed by relay race from one animal to another.

The peculiarity of the disease is its hidden course; it is often possible to detect any deviations after a long period of time. It often provokes abortion in females, which occurs only once in a lifetime. Among all animals, goats and sheep are the most susceptible to abortion. There is no age distinction for the disease; abortions are observed in small cattle of different ages, so the entire flock can become infected.

When different species are infected, a non-relay infection by pathogenic bacteria is typical. Brucellosis in other species can provoke acute infectious processes, but is not able to penetrate the bodies of healthy animals of the same population.

The infection tends to be transmitted vertically and horizontally, but within the same species of animal. It can only spread vertically between other representatives, such as humans or domestic animals.

Completely healthy pregnant queens, when placed in the same herd with sick animals, will soon also become infected and abortion will be provoked.

According to the observations of scientists, the infection has a melitococcal form of distribution among animals of the same species. This is how the flock loses a large number of offspring In a freshly infected herd, about 30-40% of females usually abort. The problem is further aggravated by the fact that 10-20% of females become infertile. The risk of losing newborns increases to 7-15%.

The consequences of brucellosis are miscarriage, and most likely death

The maximum number of abortions in sick animals is observed at the beginning of the disease. During the first lambing, up to 50% of the entire brood is lost; the second time, the percentage is significantly lower and abortions are rare. During the third and subsequent lambings, there are practically no cases of abortion. The main risk is the likelihood of infertility, so after the first abortion, 10-20% of females are not able to give birth.

Infected animals are still dangerous to humans and can cause Maltese fever. Moreover, this feature persists both during the first lambing and miscarriage, and the second. Albeit to a somewhat lesser extent, but even with further visual disappearance of symptoms, ISS remain dangerous to humans.

The only effective means of protection against the Brucella virus in areas where the disease is spreading is vaccination. Constant care of animals wearing personal protective equipment is extremely difficult, so it is necessary to use a protective vaccine or, which would be better, destroy sick animals.

Brucellosis in goats

Brucellosis in goats is most often transmitted through direct infection. Abortion is the main symptom and source of infection. Subsequently, the infection is excreted in milk and urine. Gradually, the entire body of the goats becomes infected and therefore all means of care and places of residence of the animals become infected with viruses that remain viable for a long time.

The situation is sharply aggravated during abortions, when fluid is released, and it contains many bacteria. Thus, a herd where abortions occur usually becomes infected in a short time, about 60-80% of individuals. If there are no such manifestations and the disease is asymptomatic, then the infection process slows down significantly and can take months.

Slaughtering goats that have been infected, thoroughly disinfecting its surroundings, and eliminating bacteria from the feces is a method of eliminating contagion. This way you can save your herd from mass infection. Mixing of sick individuals with healthy ones should also be prevented. Producers need to limit access to sick animals. Be careful not to place goats and other types of animals in the same area.

Typically, adult goats become infected with brucellosis; young goats have some immunity. Melitococcus can appear after 1-5 months while the virus is in the incubation stage.

Note! When purchasing animals, you must undergo quarantine and conduct a medical examination of the individual’s health status. Since brucellosis in goats is asymptomatic, it is often not possible to detect the disease before pregnancy. The minimum duration for weaning a new animal from the herd is 15 days. After this, diagnosis should be made using the serological method.

To reduce abortions in farms with infected animals, vaccination with viable cultures is indicated.

A characteristic symptom is abortion that appears at 3-5 months of gestation. Premature births also often occur; such kids rarely survive, usually dying within the first few days.

After an abortion, the uterus may experience retained placenta. Brucellosis is accompanied by the release of fluid from the genitals, which has a sharp, unpleasant odor. The animal's joints may also become inflamed, appearance They increase in size and are hot to the touch.

Diagnostics

The main diagnostic method is serological testing, which is carried out according to plan. It is necessary to take samples from each animal that has reached the age of 4 months. When a goat is mated, blood is taken for analysis, but 1 month after the brood, otherwise unreliable results are possible (due to insufficient time for the bacteria to spread).

In case of abortion, samples must be taken unscheduled. So the fetus should be hermetically sealed, blood taken into a test tube, if there is discharge from the genital organs, they can also be sent for examination.

In conditions laboratory research revealed:

  • agglutination reaction;
  • a rose bengal sample is taken;
  • the type of reaction to the associated compliment is determined.

If the initial examination of the antibody titer did not give the expected result, namely the indicator is in the range of 25-50 IU/ml (indicates deviations), then the procedure should be repeated after 2-4 weeks. When a repeat study shows the same result, the diagnosis is confirmed. If serum antibody levels of more than 100 IU/ml are detected during initial testing, then there is no need to confirm brucellosis.

Treatment

Effective treatment, with the exception of preventive treatment, has not been found. Thus, it is not possible to cure the animal; it is better to send it to slaughter; in rare cases, they continue to keep affected goats, sheltering them and spreading the infection. Since treatment is not possible, prevention is the only effective means preventing disease.

Prevention of brucellosis in goats and small livestock in general

The farmer or farm owner is considered responsible for the health of animals, in particular goats. It is therefore necessary to ensure compliance sanitary standards on maintenance, care, operation and all other procedures of livestock life. TO preventive measures relate:

  1. When purchasing goats, especially from new suppliers or those who cooperate with areas of low prevalence of brucellosis, it is necessary to carry out mandatory inspection and registration of the animal.
  2. Require the seller to have documentation for the individual.
  3. The goat or other animal must be quarantined. Minimum duration 14 days, 1 month recommended. Then repeat samples are taken.
  4. Importing animals from areas affected by animal brucellosis is not allowed. The same applies to the import of manure, soil, feed and other related products.
  5. Constant control of veterinary authorities. The entire life process of animals must be monitored and determined Better conditions, avoiding potential risks.
  6. During the keeping and various procedures related to caring for animals, it is necessary to adhere to zoohygienic and veterinary standards;
  7. Promptly report deaths, abortions, diseases and other cases to the veterinary authorities.

The basis for ensuring animal safety is vaccination, both for the herd and for the staff.

If a disease is detected, small animals must be submitted for slaughter. This is usually done through dual diagnosis. Concealing or obstructing the work of veterinary service specialists is punishable by a fine. Slaughter is permitted only in specialized sanitary slaughterhouses.

If brucellosis is detected, even if it is a single case, quarantine may be declared. During quarantine, any contact between animals and animals is prohibited. outside world. Likewise, it is prohibited to bring new individuals into the territory. All waste products cannot be transported outside the designated area.

Video - Prevention of brucellosis in sheep

Epizootological data

Much of disease control is accomplished through prevention and early diagnosis. Active struggle has been going on since the 50s. The use of vaccines in the 80s helped to significantly improve the situation. The opposite dynamics were observed in the 90s, when the collapse of the USSR began, which also affected livestock farming. The transition of farming into private hands also played a role, since the requirement for increased control over livestock is not always met.

Today, brucellosis is not widespread and is localized in areas with difficult access to medicines and a limited number of veterinary clinics. These regions include the Caucasus, mainly the northern regions and Tyva.

The greatest risk of infection comes from nearby countries with poorly developed medicine or insufficient animal care. Special precautions should be taken when importing from Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Tajikistan. The danger of transferring infected individuals or pathogens is determined by the increased virulence and contagiousness of bacteria. It is necessary to promptly eliminate and carry out preventive measures.

Brucellosis is a disease that can affect not only animals, but also humans. IN modern times the localization of the disease is decreasing; if progress continues at this rate, then in the near future we can expect a complete elimination of the problem.

The most dangerous areas of Russia by the number of infected animals:

  1. Dagestan - over the past 25 years, 14 thousand small animals have been killed.
  2. Kalmykia – the number of infections was 6 thousand.
  3. Rostov region - 3 thousand diseases were recorded during the specified period.
  4. Tyva and Stavropol Territory - about 1.5 thousand.

In other regions, isolated cases of infection were recorded over 25 years, up to a maximum of 300 animals. The introduction of the pathogen from these areas is especially dangerous for farmers who have not vaccinated their livestock.

Conclusion

Brucellosis is a disease that poses virtually no threat to the life of the carrier, but is detrimental to the offspring. The main difficulty of the disease lies in the lack of symptoms and treatment. Routine veterinary checks and vaccination of livestock should be carried out.

Brucellosis is an infectious disease of goats caused by the bacterium Brucella melitensis. The disease was first identified on the island of Malta, so in the early years it was called “Maltese fever,” and since it was discovered in goats, neighboring countries banned export from the island. Malta goats, although the Maltese goat was often superior to the Saanen breed in its milk production.

Infection of goats with brucellosis.

Natural infection most often occurs through the digestive canal, as well as during milking, through abrasions and wounds on the skin. It is believed that infection can also occur through sexual intercourse. People most often become infected from goats through milk, during the provision of obstetric care, with careless attitude to sanitation during lambing and removal of placenta, as well as through meat, especially when cutting it.
The disease in goats is usually asymptomatic. Suspicions arise when infected people begin to fall ill. In acute cases, abortions are often recorded, usually in the fourth month of pregnancy. Abortions have no consequences, but sometimes the placenta is retained, and after separation of the placenta from the uterus, mucopurulent discharge is observed. In some animals, disorders of the milk production process are observed, sometimes with the formation of nodular thickenings in the udder. There are usually no other signs and the animals appear completely healthy. In goats, it happens that the testes become swollen.

What to do if you suspect brucellosis in goats.

If you suspect brucellosis (this disease is a terrible danger to humans), you must inform your veterinarian. Only he is able to carry out diagnostic work and confirm or exclude brucellosis in your farm. When a person becomes infected, the consequences are dire. The disease is still considered incurable, and the patient’s condition is terrible - polyarthritis, frequent ailments with increased body temperature, etc.

Treatment of brucellosis in goats.

Brucellosis in goats It is practically untreatable, so all the owner’s attention should be directed to purchasing goats from healthy farms that are tested for brucellosis twice a year. If brucellosis is detected on a farm, it is necessary to carry out veterinary and sanitary measures. Moreover, all personnel who come into contact with sick goats should be regularly tested for brucellosis. Sick goats are immediately isolated and all measures are taken with them as directed by the veterinarian. In such farms, issues of personal hygiene must be placed at a special height, and the consumption of raw milk and raw animal products (cheese and other cheeses) is categorically excluded for the sake of one’s health.

Brucellosis of small ruminants is a factorial bacterial infectious disease of sheep and goats, which is characterized by relay transmission of the infectious agent. In animals of these species, the infectious process is characterized by a latent course that becomes chronic. The culmination of this process is the abortion of females, which occurs once in a lifetime. Young sheep and goats are more likely to abort. But after the introduction of the infectious agent into a safe flock, abortions occur in animals of all ages. Brucellosis of small ruminants affects people, cattle and some other animal species. But in their populations, this infection proceeds according to the laws of the classical epizootic process without the relay transmission of its pathogen. This disease causes a severe infectious process in humans and animals of other species, does not spread to healthy representatives of the corresponding population, forming a deadlock situation.

In the populations of its obligate host - sheep and goats - the infectious agent spreads vertically and horizontally. It penetrates to humans and animals of other species only vertically.

Etiology: The causative agent of brucellosis in small cattle is Br. melitensis. This microbe naturally survives in the body of small livestock in areas where this infection occurs. The process of its vital activity in the body of an obligate host occurs in the form of S-, R- and L forms of Br. Melitensis has been extensively studied. Those interested are referred to the book “Brucellosis of Farm Animals”, edited by Professor I.A. Kosilov, Novosibirsk, 1999.

Diagnostics: To make a diagnosis of brucellosis in small cattle, clinical, epizootological data and the results of laboratory (bacteriological and serological) studies are taken into account.

Clinical diagnosis. The main clinical sign of brucellosis in small ruminants is abortion of ewes. Abortion of brucellosis etiology is characterized by retention of placenta, metritis, disruption of uterine involution, etc. In dysfunctional flocks, such pathology is visible even after normal lambing. In such flocks, abortions of young ewes are more often observed. The importance of clinical diagnostics comes down to identifying cases of abortion in sheep or goats, promptly sending pathological material and blood serum from the aborted uterus to a veterinary laboratory for bacteriological and serological studies. It is appropriate to recall that a veterinarian serving small livestock farms must prepare for such diagnostics in a timely manner. It must have leak-proof containers for packaging the aborted fetus, the required number of sterile tubes and a container for their safe movement.

In addition, on farms where small livestock are kept, mechanisms and means for disinfection in the place where the miscarriage occurred should always be in working order. It is important to have a facility to isolate the aborted uterus. This set of works is mandatory integral part clinical diagnostics.

Epizootological diagnostics. Its importance is paramount. Where epizootological diagnostics are not carried out, or are not carried out in full, cases of human disease are indicators of brucellosis in sheep. Epizootological diagnosis of brucellosis in small ruminants involves regularly conducting an epizootological analysis of the situation in the places from which the animals or feed for them came. The epizootic situation of this infection in flocks bordering the pasture lands of service farms is taken into account. Animals brought to the farm are kept in a quarantine room and must be examined in a veterinary laboratory. The same applies to imported feed. Long-term epidemiological observations have shown that this infection is introduced into healthy flocks through the introduction of hidden Brucella carriers or feed from places unfavorable for this infection.

Laboratory diagnostics. It confirms or does not confirm clinical and epidemiological diagnoses. In a veterinary laboratory, brucellosis is diagnosed by bacteriological and serological tests. For such a diagnosis, an aborted fetus and blood serum are sent to a veterinary laboratory. All cases of abortion are subject to such examination.

Epizootology. The epizootic process of brucellosis in small cattle has its own characteristics. A pregnant ewe, having contracted this infection, aborts. During this period, it is a powerful source of infectious agents. It performs this function in the future, but to a much lesser extent. Such a ewe is practically safe in her flock. But when moved to a flock that is free from brucellosis, it acts as a source of the infectious agent and causes an outbreak of brucellosis. The peculiarities of the manifestation of the epizootic process of this infection are greatly influenced by the sheep farming system. As is known, this branch of livestock farming is zoned in steppe regions with a continental climate. The concentration of sheep in such places allows the formation of flocks of the same age and a complete replacement of the sheep population within 5 - 7 years. In such a situation, if the causative agent of brucellosis enters the farm, then sheep of all ages become ill with a characteristic clinical manifestation in the first year and subsequent clinical lull.

People fell ill mainly during the period of mass abortions of sheep. Subsequently, the epizootic situation is characterized by relative clinical calm among sheep of older age flocks and annual mass abortions in first-lambing flocks. But all sheep in such a farm pose a great danger as sources of infectious agents. This may explain the widespread occurrence of brucellosis in areas where sheep farming is zoned ( North Caucasus, South Siberia, Altai, Khakassia, Chita region, etc.). The specific technology of running the sheep breeding industry has become decisive in the control of the epizootic process of brucellosis in small ruminants. Based on it, it became possible in a relatively short time to improve the health of sheep in all sheep-raising regions from brucellosis in small cattle.

Pathways, mechanisms and factors of transmission of the infectious agent. As already noted, the causative agent of brucellosis in small cattle is transmitted in populations of its obligate host by vertical and horizontal routes.

Horizontal transmission within the flock occurs mainly after abortion, abundantly contaminated with the causative agent of this infection with amniotic fluid, membranes and an aborted fetus. The pathogen usually enters healthy animals through the mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals, and eyes. Infection is likely through the gastrointestinal tract and skin (M.K. Yuskovets, 1953). Such a flock becomes a reservoir of the infectious agent. Beyond its borders, the disease spreads mainly through the introduction of hidden carriers of its pathogen. There may be cases of its transmission with feed, animal care items, clothing and footwear of service personnel.

Vertical transmission The causative agent of brucellosis in small cattle occurs within a flock unfavorable for this infection, from parents to offspring in utero. It is implemented through those ewes that were infected with brucellosis, but did not abort, and those that continue to bear fruit after their miscarriage. These features are one of the explanations for the reasons for mass abortions among ewes in the first year of lambing.

Prevention and control measures. ABOUT nor are they based on knowledge and compliance with the technological features of sheep farming, the features of the epizootic process of this infection and the rational use of specific preventive means (P.K. Arakelyan, 1997).

Prevention of this infection in regions free from brucellosis of small ruminants is carried out mainly on the basis of knowledge of the epizootic process using methods aimed at preventing the introduction of the infectious agent and the introduction of its hidden carriers.

Much attention is paid to epizootological diagnostics and readiness for timely and prompt implementation of appropriate preventive measures.

In farms that are free from this infection, but if there are reservoirs of the infectious agent in the sheep-breeding region (regardless of the degree of their activity), specific prevention is additionally carried out. All sheep are vaccinated annually with vaccines (from strain 19, Rev-1 or others adopted for these purposes) one to one and a half months before the start of the breeding campaign.

Troubled farms are being made healthier. The basis of such work is epizootological control over the epizootic situation. It includes:

- exclusion of regroupings of sheep from different flocks,

— timely detection of aborted ewes, neutralization of the fetus, membranes and amniotic fluid,

- disinfection of the place where the abortion occurred,

- isolation of the aborted ewe and sale of it for meat during the first ten days,

— regular disinfection of sheep keeping areas. During the summer grazing period, when the sheds are free of sheep, it is highly advisable, after mechanical cleaning and disinfection, to open their roofs and sanitize them in the sun's rays

— compliance with other requirements stipulated by the order of local authorities that have imposed restrictions on economic activity due to problems with brucellosis in small cattle.

Along with this, already from the second year after the outbreak of infection, specific prevention is carried out annually according to the same scheme as it is carried out in endangered farms (P.K. Arakelyan, 1997). It must be borne in mind that in a flock where an outbreak of this infection occurred, specific prevention will only aggravate the manifestation of the epizootic process. It is carried out in next year before the random campaign. In other flocks of this farm, if there is confidence that they remain safe, specific prevention is desirable already during the outbreak of infection.

Thus, organized work to improve the health of sheep farms from small ruminant brucellosis within a year sharply reduces the number of abortions of ewes caused by this infection, displaces latent carriers of the infectious agent from the circulation of the herd and prevents cases of the disease in humans. Of course, they are also subject to specific prevention by sanitary and epidemiological station workers.

Seven to eight years of such work can reliably improve the health of sheep from this serious infection that is dangerous to human health.