A field-applicable point-based triage score (CRTS) to identify goats with ultrasonographic lung consolidation.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory disease in goats is frequently assessed using non-species-specific clinical scoring schemes, yet evidence on their agreement with thoracic ultrasonography (TUS) is limited. This study compared standardized clinical respiratory scores with TUS lung consolidation in adult goats and developed a goat-adapted triage score (Caprine Respiratory Triage Score, CRTS). METHODS: Adult goats from 12 farms (n = 214; March 2025-January 2026) underwent standardized clinical examination and TUS. Lung consolidation was evaluated as any consolidation and by depth-based thresholds (>1.0 cm and > 1.5cm). The Wisconsin score (WI) was analyzed both as W+ (WI ≥ 5) and as a continuous predictor. A lamb clinical score and a score used for adult cow (BRD3) were adapted and evaluated in goats. Two goat-adapted point-based scores were assessed, including a regression-weighted score (CRTS) based on presence/absence of nasal discharge, ocular discharge, cough, rectal temperature (≥ 40.0 °C), and respiratory rate (≥ 40/min). Discrimination was quantified using AUC and cumulative-prevalence gradients across increasing score thresholds. RESULTS: WI showed high specificity but low sensitivity at WI≥ 5, and moderate discrimination as a continuous predictor (AUC 0.685 for any consolidation; 0.708 for >1.0 cm; 0.724 for >1.5 cm). The lamb score performed similarly (AUC 0.686, 0.702, and 0.714) and its class-based thresholds did not translate to goats. Goat scores improved discrimination: BRD3 adapted for goats AUCs were 0.725, 0.770, and 0.773, while CRTS achieved the highest AUCs (0.738, 0.771, and 0.778). Cumulative-prevalence curves showed increasing probability of consolidation at higher score values (e.g., 66.7% at BRD3 adapted for goats ≥7 and 71.4% at CRTS ≥ 9 for any consolidation). A visual-only CRTS variant excluding rectal temperature retained similar discrimination (AUC 0.736-0.771; -0.3%--0.9% relative change). DISCUSSION: Standardized calf- and lamb-derived scores showed only moderate agreement with goat TUS consolidation, particularly for mild lesions. The CRTS better ranked goats by probability of ultrasonographic lung consolidation and may support field triage for TUS, with an optional non-invasive variant when animal handling is constrained.