Blackleg, also known as clostridial myositis, is an infectious, non-contagious disease caused by Clostridium chauvoei.
Goats are infected from ingestion of bacterial spores from the soil while grazing. Once ingested, the spores penetrate the intestine and spread through the bloodstream into the skeletal muscle.
The spores remain dormant until trauma occurs to the infected tissue that results in low oxygen conditions. Reduced oxygen levels cause the spores to germinate, multiple and produce a toxin. The toxin causes muscle necrosis and hemorrhage which quickly leads to acute toxemia and death. The course of the disease is 12 to 48 hours.
Sanguinous discharge from nostrils or anus
- History
- Physical exam
- Necropsy - Need to be performed within one hour of death to be able to isolate the clostridial bacteria. Characteristic gross lesions and a positive fluorescent antibody test results on affected tissues.
The disease progresses so rapidly that it is difficult to treat in time. Intravenous penicillin therapy can be attempted if caught early enough, combined with fluid therapy, steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.
