Yes, goats can contract Johne’s disease, also known as paratuberculosis, from sheep.  Johne’s disease is a chronic, contagious bacterial infection that affects the intestines of various ruminants, including sheep, goats, and cattle. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP).

Here’s why goats can get it from sheep:

Transmission:

Johne’s disease is primarily spread through fecal-oral transmission, meaning animals can become infected by ingesting the bacteria present in the feces of infected animals.

Shared Pastures:

Goats can contract the disease by grazing on pastures previously used by sheep infected with Johne’s.

Species-to-Species Transmission:
Johne’s disease can be transmitted between different ruminant species, including sheep and goats, according to www.nj.gov.

Key points about Johne’s disease in goats:

Clinical Signs: In goats, the most consistent sign of Johne’s disease is chronic weight loss, even with a good appetite. Diarrhea may also occur, though it’s less common than in cattle.

No Cure: There is no cure for Johne’s disease.

Prevention: Maintaining a closed herd, purchasing animals from Johne’s-tested herds, and avoiding shared grazing with infected animals are crucial preventative measures, according to the American Dairy Goat Association.