Soremouth is a viral disease that is contagious both to goats and humans. The causative agent is an epitheliotropic parapoxvirus that gains entry to the goat's body via cuts and abrasions. The virus is found worldwide and there is no known cure.
Otherwise known as Contagious Ecthyma, Orf, and "scabby mouth," Soremouth looks like fever blisters. Generally appearing on the hairless parts of the goat's body (lips, vulva, teats, and scrotum), Soremouth can also occur on the face, ears, and coronary band (above the hoof) of the goat.
Soremouth is a life-threatening disease to nursing kids. Infected lips transmit the virus to the dam's teats, making her so uncomfortable that the doe may refuse to let her kids nurse. Soremouth is highly contagious; a large percentage of an infected kid crop can die from starvation if they can't nurse. Once the virus appears, it is not unusual for most or all of the kids to contract Soremouth.
The bad news is that Soremouth must run its course and this can be as long as three to four weeks per animal. The immune animal likely remains a carrier of the Soremouth virus and may infect other goats. The good news is that most goats who survive Soremouth become immune to it and never contract it again, similar to humans who are exposed to chickenpox. There are steps that can be taken by the goat producer to minimize the discomfort of all infected goats.
Use disposable gloves; humans can catch Soremouth. Gentian Violet is an old-time inexpensive purple liquid medication used decades ago for fever blisters and impetigo. It is available without prescription from the local pharmacy, though it may have to be ordered by the pharmacist. Gentian Violet helps dry up the blisters and hasten healing. Drying scabs sometimes contain staph bacteria or screwworm maggots. Gentian Violet kills bacteria that may cause a secondary infection. Systemic antibiotics are recommended if a secondary bacterial infection exists. The purple color of Gentian Violet affords the producer the added benefit of being able to see which animals have already been treated.
Once Soremouth is on the farm or ranch, it is there for years. Clean up of the pens, pastures, and paddocks is sometimes possible by bleaching, burning, and allowing the ground to lie fallow for an extended period of time. Of course, the size of the area involved, manpower available, costs incurred, and conditions existing will determine if this practice is practical.
Let Soremouth run its course, using the supportive therapy above. This is particularly beneficial if there are no nursing kids in the herd when infection occurs. Unless a herd is closed and isolated from other goats, it is likely that at some time in the goat producer's career, he/she will encounter Soremouth. Be prepared to deal with this disease. Soremouth is far more manageable than many other illnesses that a goat herd might encounter.
Hope this helps..
Sudden Case Of Sore Mouth....help!!!!
