🐐 Goat Respiratory Outbreak July–August Cold Season

Thick nasal discharge · Deep rumbling cough · Severe distress — Kenya, cold & dusty season.

The symptoms described—thick nasal discharge, deep rumbling continuous coughing, and severe respiratory distress during the cold July–August season—point to a serious respiratory outbreak in your herd. Cold, dusty, windy weather stresses the respiratory tract, creating ideal conditions for bacterial and viral infections.

A. Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP)

High mortality Cause: Mycoplasma capricola subsp. capripneumoniae (highly contagious).

• Deep, painful, continuous coughing and grunting chest sounds.
• Frothy or thick yellow/green nasal discharge.
• Open-mouth breathing, neck extended, flared nostrils.
• High fever, rapid weakness, high mortality if untreated.

B. Pasteurellosis / Enzootic Pneumonia

Cause: Mannheimia haemolytica or Pasteurella multocida, triggered by dust, cold, and stress.

• Heavy, mucopurulent (thick, yellowish) nasal discharge blocking nostrils.
• Loud, moist, or rumbling cough; labored breathing (heaving flanks).
• High fever (above 40°C / 104°F), loss of appetite, lethargy.

C. PPR – Peste des Petits Ruminants must rule out

Cause: Morbillivirus (viral infection).

• Heavy nasal and eye discharge that dries and crusts.
• Severe coughing and respiratory distress.
• High fever accompanied by severe, foul-smelling diarrhea and mouth ulcers.

Crucial Treat the entire affected group immediately. Pneumonia moves fast; waiting 24–48 hours can result in lung hepatization (permanent damage) or sudden death.

Category	Recommended Active	Dosage & Administration	Purpose
First‑Line Antibiotic	Tylosin Tartrate (e.g., Tylosin 200) or Tilmicosin	Injectable IM/SC per weight for 3–5 consecutive days	Best against Mycoplasma (CCPP) and secondary bacteria
Alternative Antibiotic	Long‑Acting Oxytetracycline 20% (Oxy LA)	Deep IM injection, one dose, repeated after 72h if needed	Effective against Pasteurella and general bacterial pneumonia
Anti‑inflammatory / Pain	Flunixin Meglumine or Meloxicam	IM/SC once daily for 2–3 days	Reduces fever, opens airways, reduces lung inflammation
Mucolytic / Support	Menthol/eucalyptus prep, Multivitamins B‑Complex + A,D₃,E	Oral/injectable; inhalant oils in warm space	Breaks up mucus, boosts immune recovery

1. Clear nostrils manually: Use cotton wool dipped in warm saline (1 tsp salt per litre of warm water) to wipe thick mucus twice daily.
2. Shelter & windbreaks: Protect from cold July–August drafts while maintaining overhead ventilation; keep bedding dry.
3. Steam inhalation: Place heavily congested goats in a small space with a bucket of steaming water and a few drops of eucalyptus oil (out of reach) to loosen secretions.
4. Isolate & hydrate: Separate sick animals; provide warm water with molasses or oral rehydration salts.

• CCPP vaccination: Consult your local vet to administer vaccine to unaffected goats before the cold season.
• Avoid overcrowding: Ensure adequate space per animal to reduce aerosol transmission.
• Consult a local vet: Have a registered vet examine lung sounds with a stethoscope and prescribe exact weight‑based dosages.

Accurate dosing is critical. Goats metabolize many drugs faster than cattle or sheep; guessing leads to treatment failure or toxicity.

Step 1: Estimate weight

Use a weigh tape (heart girth behind front legs) or the formula:

Weight (lbs) = (Heart Girth (in) × Heart Girth (in) × Body Length (in)) / 300
Convert to kg → divide lbs by 2.2

Step 2: Dose volume formula

Dose (mL) = (Weight (kg) × Dose (mg/kg)) / Concentration (mg/mL)

Goat weight (kg)

Dose (mg/kg)

Concentration (mg/mL)

Dose: 3.00 mL

Step 3: Needle selection

Kids / small breeds20 G × ½″ (13 mm)

Adult goats (SC)18 G × ½–¾″ (13–19 mm)

Adult goats (IM)18 G × 1″ (25 mm)

Use a clean, sterile needle for every animal to prevent spreading infections.

Step 4: Administration

• SC (subcutaneous): Pinch a fold of skin on the side of the neck, insert needle at 30–45° into the tent, depress smoothly.
• IM (intramuscular): Insert needle straight into the neck muscle at 90°. Pull back (aspirate) before injecting — if blood appears, withdraw and try a different spot. Inject slowly.
• Maximum volume per site: ≤5 mL for adults (2–3 mL for kids). Split larger doses into two sites.
• Observe milk/meat withdrawal periods. Finish the full course — stopping early leads to resistance and relapse.

🐾 Always consult a registered veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and prescription. This tool is for informational support only.