Livestock

Caseous Lymphadenitis in Goats: Welfare and Biosecurity

Managing Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection to reduce welfare burden in goat herds.

Key Facts

CLA causes chronic abscess formation in lymph nodes of goats and sheep
Abscesses rupture and contaminate the environment with persistent bacterial spores
No highly effective treatment — welfare management focuses on biosecurity and culling
A vaccine is available in some countries — UK availability is limited

Welfare Considerations

CLA causes chronic welfare compromise through repeated lymph node abscessation, internal abscesses causing weight loss, and social exclusion of visibly affected animals. Welfare-focused management identifies affected animals early, isolates before abscess rupture, culls severely affected individuals, and implements strict biosecurity for introductions. Environmental decontamination after rupture reduces ongoing transmission.

What You Can Do

Implement strict biosecurity for goat introductions — CLA travels with purchased animals
Identify and isolate animals with developing lymph node abscesses before they rupture
Cull animals with internal abscesses or repeated external abscessation — no effective treatment exists