A survey of goat and cattle diseases in the Artibonite Valley, Haiti, West Indies

Abstract

A 40 week study of 43 farmers, 60 goats and 60 cattle was conducted in order to identify abnormal conditions or diseases and predisposing seasonal, managemental or nutritional factors. Farms were visited, farmers interviewed and animals examined up to 4 times, about every 10 weeks, and bled for Ht, total WBC, selected serum vitamins and minerals, hair collected for mineral analysis. Soil and forages were collected for analysis. Animals were generally in fair condition, with poor growth and reproduction. Unexpected wet season caloric deficiency, severe P deficiency and lesser vit. A and E deficiencies were noted. Anaemia, secondary to parasitism, was common to both species, worse in goats. Cattle had ticks, while goats had lice. Goats had reported neonatal diarrhea and mortality; observed exfoliative dermatitis, warts, dermatophytosis and possible contagious ecthyma. Cattle had reported anthrax and babesiosis; observed vesicular vaginitis, orchitis and teat warts.