Deaths related to gastroenteritis / pneumonia in captive Chinese gorals (Naemorhedus goral arnouxianus): a diagnostic plan

Abstract

Staff at a wildlife conservation facility in western Appalachia believes an unidentified disease has killed many of the facility’s central Chinese goral (Nemorhaedus goral arnouxianus) collection. A study was undertaken to determine all causes of goral mortality at the facility, to characterize the unidentified goral disease, to determine the extent of this disease in the herd, and to devise a diagnostic plan to identify the cause. The study results determined that the disease affects young adult gorals in mid summer, presents as lethargy, watery diarrhea, chemosis, and death within 4-7 days. Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, pneumonia, variable renal lesions, and electrolyte imbalances are also present. The prevalence of the disease is less than expected, with only 3 suspected deaths over the past five years at the facility. A diagnostic plan was established to rule out top differentials, including bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, malignant catarrhal fever, clostridiosis, leptospirosis, pasteurellosis, salmonellosis, and toxicosis.