Tenuche Zaynab Oremeyi*, Emikpe Benjamin Obukowho, Egwu Godwin Onyeamaechi and Taiwo Victor
Goats play an important role in the livelihood of the rural farmer usually involved in rearing them. They are reported to be highly prolific, hardy and serve as a source of food security (providing a good source of animal protein from their meat and milk) and income (through sale of live animals, carcasses or by product) helping to make ends meet. In Nigeria, the red sokoto goat is a breed predominantly found in the northern region of the country and constitutes 60% of the total goat population.
Pneumonia remains a major constraint in goat farming. Peste des petits ruminants and Mannheimia haemolytica are two pathogens that have been implicated in field outbreaks of caprine pneumonia in Nigeria which account for high morbidity, reduced productivity, wasting of carcasses and high mortality, leading to huge economic losses for the farmers.