Colibacillary arthritis and severe osteomyelitis in lame goat kids due to management procedures

Lameness in the hindquarters was seen twenty goat kids out of a group 90 on dairy farm. Initial treatment with antibiotics and NSAID's did not improve condition. At necropsy eight kids, multi-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from affected femurs, strongly indicative colibaccilary osteomyelitis. In addition, 573–915 mg/kg dry matter, liver copper concentrations were increased. Predisposing factors for osteomyelitis poor colostrum quality, stress as consequence multiple simultaneous management procedures, preventive use antibiotics, elevated kids. To prevent future outbreaks, it advised to management, reduce by spreading procedures such vaccinations, disbudding, dietary changes. Antibiotic treatments should be used only treat individual preventively. Elevated reduced minimising content milk replacer.