ABSTRACT
In young tachypnoeic goats, palpation of the chest wall can be very useful to detect an abnormal cardiac thrill inaudible on auscultation. Some details of internal cardiac structures may be detected, but typically radiography is only useful for evaluating the overall size of the heart. Ultrasonography is very useful for detecting valve anomalies, pericardial effusions, hypertrophy and ascites. There are few reports of primary heart disease in the goat worldwide, although cardiac failure and its sequelae may be a secondary feature in many systemic infections. Treatment of individual goats of economic or sentimental value can be attempted, but is of questionable value as a tool for control in infected herds. Caseous lymphadenitis is a chronic bacterial infection affecting both goats and sheep. Endocarditis is a common cardiac condition of adult animals, typically carrying a guarded prognosis. Swelling disease is recognised in multiple countries, including the UK, mainly affecting young animals and fibre breeds.
