A scabby mouth-like condition in Saanen goat kids

Authors: Hemi D, Tiddy R
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 34, Issue 7, pp 119, Jul 1986
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Goat, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Viral, Zoonosis, Infectious disease, Disease/defect, Public health
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: In December of last year we encountered a condition in Saanen goat kids which closely resembled scabby mouth. Affected kids seemed depressed and walked unsteadily. Approximately five kids of a group of about twenty were affected. These were the youngest in the group. There had been above average rainfall for the month and the grass which the goats grazed was about a foot high. Upon examination we found keratitic lesions clinically indistinguishable from scabby mouth. In some places the scabs had rubbed off, leaving cracked and raw skin. Lesions were found around the nose, mouth, ears (inside and out), metacarpals, axillae, udders, dorsum and flank. The predominant lesions were found on the nasolabium. The skin scrapings were negative for orf virus particles but positive for dermatophilus. There was an insignificant, non specific elevation of gamma-GT. The copper sulphate treatment seemed to clear up the problem while other treatments met with very limited success. Our conclusions are that orf virus was probably not the initial aetiological agent…

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