Heartwater in Angora goats. I. Immunity subsequent to artificial infection and treatment.

This study confirmed reports that Angora goats are highly susceptible to Cowdria ruminantium and showed that immunization of this breed against heartwater may be difficult hazardous. It was found that if goats were treated on the 2nd or 3rd day of the febrile reaction following the intravenous inoculation of the heartwater agent, few animals survived the infection. If, on the other hand, treatment was instituted on the 1st day of the reaction, the chances of survival were good, but the immunity of the goats to subsequent challenge was poor.