Pneumonic pasteurellosis in two Alpine goats: clinical, radiographic, histopathologic, and microbiologic findings

Abstract

Respiratory diseases such as pneumonia are one of the main concerns in the livestock industry. Economic losses owing to pneumonia are prevalent in small ruminants and pathogenic organisms such as Pasteurella and Mannheimia are the principal bacterial agents involved in pneumonic pasteurellosis. Two adult Alpine female goats with signs of respiratory involvement were referred. Clinical examinations of these animals showed fever, anorexia, dyspnea with head and neck strain and open mouth breathing, unilateral serous nasal discharge, abdominal breathing with harsh, and crackles lung sound upon auscultation. Radiography of the thoracic region was performed and severe generalized pulmonary involvement was detected in the goats. Due to the severity of the conflict, both cases were lost despite treatment. At necropsy, consistent findings included non-collapsing lungs with varying degrees of consolidation covered by fibrin and cranioventral consolidation with red-grey discoloration and firm, meaty consistency. Histopathologically, fibrinosuppurative bronchopneumonia was diagnosed in both cases. Finally, following microbiological findings, Pasteurella multocida was isolated from lung lesions of both animals, and pasteurellosis was confirmed. Overall, pasteurellosis is one of the most important pulmonary diseases in goats, and the best way to deal with it is to prevent the disease through vaccination and control stressful behaviors in the environment.