VetZone Podcasting

In our third installment of prion diseases, we will discuss the oldest of the TSEs: scrapie.  First described in Great Britain in the 1750s, scrapie can now be found worldwide, expect for Australia and New Zealand.  Scrapie affects sheep, goats, and their close relatives.  Scrapie received its name from the intense pruritis that affected animals exhibit.      

 

White tail season closed last week.  Hopefully, the season was successful for those who endured endless hours of scouting, fine tuning scopes and bows, and freezing in blinds.  Many families rely on this meat through the winter.  Proper food handling practices make this a good source of protein.  However, in some areas of the US, there is a potentially zoonotic disease lurking in the deer population. 

Is vaccinating your backyard goats in the US today a waste of time and money? What exactly are the risks to rabies in the US? Let's jump into the VetZone and explore this important topic!

A family of diseases caused by a little known agent is making a steady march across the US.  One form of this disease is centuries old in Europe, while another is only a few decades old here in the US.  Only mammals are affected, which includes humans.  The disease can neither be treated or vaccinated against.    

This podcasts conclude the review on the core vaccine of goats known as CDT. Learn about tetanus and the vaccine used to protect us. 

It has been raining here for almost 36 hours.  This has been one of the wettest fall/winter seasons in recent years.  While good news for pasture regrowth, any livestock in confinement are at risk of foot rot.  Similar to thrush or white line disease in horses, foot rot in ruminants results from a wet environment contaminated with manure.

Hopefully after Dr. Lee’s series of Goatcasts, you are seriously entertaining the thought of adding goats to your operation. There are many benefits to having goats, ranging from pasture management to home-raised milk.  However, there is a particular zoonotic disease to remember.

What happens when equine feet are neglected, or environmental conditions are less than ideal?  The hoof is under constant assault from arid conditions, wet conditions, bacteria, fungi, and physical trauma.  We will continue to address common hoof diseases here.

An overeating vaccine? Sound too good to be true? Well, if you are interested in a way to reach your personal weight goal, it is too good to be true - this isn't for you. This vaccine can save your goat's life though - so for them and their producers, it is amazing. Learn about the "C and D" in the CDT vaccine. 

Can you really use St. John's Wort to tan your goats? Yes, but you shouldn't try it. Learn about this peculiar type of toxin and let's finish up on goat toxins with some miscellanous risks.