Listeriosis, also known as circling disease or silage sickness, is a life-threatening disease primarily caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. It is commonly associated with feeding moldy hay but can be found in the feces of infected birds, animals, fish and insects, as well as sewage. It can contaminate water, milk and food. Listeria is a zoonotic disease.
Source: Backyard Goats, July 25, 2021. Link. Karen Kopf writes about listeriosis in goats and ways to limit the risk of introducing the bacteria and take precautions to protect goats from disease.
Also see: Merck Veterinary Manual. Link. The various manifestations of listeriosis occur in all susceptible species and are associated with characteristic clinical syndromes:
- encephalitis or meningoencephalitis in adult ruminants
- abortion and perinatal mortality in all species
- septicemia in neonatal ruminants and monogastric animals
- septicemia with myocardial or hepatic necrosis (or both) in poultry.
Septicemic or visceral listeriosis is most common in monogastric animals, including pigs, dogs, cats, domestic and wild rabbits, and many other small mammals. These animals may play a role in transmission of L monocytogenes.
INSIGHTS: Share this information with goat owners, old and new, especially those consider their goats as pets. Infected milk is a hazard because the organism that contaminates it may survive certain forms of pasteurization. Listeria also have been isolated from the milk, as well as cheeses, from sheep and goats.