Is it Treatable?

If Listeriosis is caught early it may be treated aggressively with antibiotics and anti inflammatory. Once animal is recumbent the prognosis is very poor. Talk to your local vet about choices and doses of antibiotic therapy.

How Do I Prevent It?

Supply quality feed sources of both hay and grain. Feed should be stored properly and not fed if wet or decaying. Square bales are usually preferred in goats as they are fed more frequently and less waste left to rot. Also when possible keeping hay protected from weather, by a cover over the hay feeder or feeding inside a shelter.

If feed or water troughs contain fecal material they should be cleaned thoroughly. Wet grain that is spoiling in edges of trough may also be a source for listeria. It is best to clean troughs daily.

Prevent stress and supply adequate nutrition, especially during the winter months. The weather itself may be a stressor to the animals. Stress or malnutrition, both weaken the animals immune system and increase the incidence of a multitude of diseases.

References

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/listeriosis/overview-of-listeriosis

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/89e0/16f62980551adb95affbe55db06d9929617.pdf

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/listeriosis-in-your-herd

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