case report: diagnosis of contagious ecthyma in a female yeanling wild goat (capra aegagrus)

Contagious ecthyma, also known as orf, is a zoonotic viral disease that mainly affects domestic and wild small ruminants, characterized by proliferative lesions, particularly in the oral cavity. this case report details the clinical presentation and pathological findings of a female yeanling wild goat diagnosed with orf after transfer to a quarantine center. a 4-month-old female yeanling wild goat was transferred to the baghlar baghi wildlife animal care center, tabriz, iran on july 18, 2023. upon examination, the animal exhibited proliferative lesions in the gingiva and lips, along with diarrhea. supportive treatments including fluid therapy, multivitamins, and antibiotics were administered. following a three-day treatment period with no improvement, the animal succumbed, prompting a necropsy. tissue samples were collected from the oral cavity, small intestine, liver, kidney, lung, and heart for histopathological analysis. histopathological examination revealed intense proliferation of mucous membranes in the oral region, particularly in the upper and lower lips, alongside vesicular and pustular lesions, eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions, and scab formation. these findings confirmed that the disease could have been caused by an orf virus (orfv) infection. the case underscores the importance of identifying the clinical signs of contagious ecthyma in wild goats and emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and management. the definitive diagnosis of orf in this yeanling highlights the potential impact of viral diseases in wildlife populations and the necessity for effective quarantine protocols to prevent disease transmission.