Prevent Pneumonia

Provide draft-free but well-ventilated shelter with openings positioned above goat height to allow ammonia and moisture to escape. Maintain stocking density under 20 sq ft per goat indoors. Minimize stress during weaning, transport, and weather changes. Keep bedding dry and maintain good nutrition with adequate selenium, vitamin E, and copper to support immune function.

Why It Works

Caprine pneumonia is typically caused by Mannheimia haemolytica or Pasteurella multocida bacteria that become pathogenic when the immune system is compromised by stress, drafts, damp bedding, or high ammonia levels. Proper ventilation removes airborne pathogens and moisture while avoiding direct drafts on resting goats — the combination most commonly triggering outbreaks in winter housing.

Tips

• Monitor rectal temperature: normal is 101.5-104°F; above 104°F with coughing or nasal discharge warrants immediate vet attention
• Kid pneumonia peaks at 2-4 weeks and again at weaning — these are critical monitoring windows
• A barn ammonia level above 25 ppm (detectable by strong smell at ground level) signals inadequate ventilation