SOREMOUTH

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.

The ideal treatment, in this writer's opinion, is the application of Gentian Violet to the affected parts of the animals. 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.

Soremouth vaccines are available but their usage is highly debated among goat producers. Because the virus is live, the disease is introduced into the herd. The vaccine is made of ground-up scabs and is applied to a hairless area of the goat (tailweb or inside the ear) after the surface of the skin has been scratched. Within one to three days, scabs will form, signifying that the vaccine has "taken." Goats who do not develop scabs at the vaccination site probably have an immunity to Soremouth. Humans coming into contact with the Soremouth vaccine usually contract the disease. There is little to no hard evidence that a vaccinated doe will pass any immunity on to her kids, so any argument for transmitted immunity is moot.

Many producers who run animals on large acreage and seldom see them routinely vaccinate against Soremouth to reduce the likelihood of losing the kid crop. Goats raised under more "hands-on" conditions usually are not vaccinated. This is a generalized statement but also a fairly accurate evaluation of how this vaccine is used.

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.

For many producers, a reasonable case can be made to consciously decide not to vaccinate and instead let Soremouth run its course, using the supportive therapy outlined in this article. 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.

The author, Suzanne Gasparotto, hereby grants to local goat publications and club newsletters, permission to reprint articles published on the Onion Creek Ranch website under these conditions: THE ARTICLE MUST BE REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND THE AUTHOR'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REPRINT. Acknowledgement must also be made that the articles were first published in GOAT RANCHER Magazine, for which Suzanne Gasparotto writes exclusively. We would appreciate notification from any clubs or publications when the articles are used. (A copy of the newsletter or publication would also be a welcome addition to our growing library of goat related information!)

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