Goat diseases and parasites are always a concern. Knowing the symptoms and the affects of these parasites is indeed helpful. Naturally, these various parasites and diseases is a by product of raising animals, In this posts we will cover most common goat diseases and parasites dealt with in the South Central regions of North America. Hopefully this will be very helpful in proper diagnosis and treatment.
Here are some of the most common goat diseases and parasites effecting goat herds today. Various vaccines and medicinal methods of treatment that are used by necessity, or out of precaution also will be covered in this article.
Sore mouth (“contagious ecthyma”) Is a viral disease of sheep and goats. Sore mouth being a virus can be picked up from the surroundings at anytime. The virus can be air born and contracted with out notice. The vaccine is a measure of the live virus similar to our virus vaccine, and should only be administered if sore mouth is problematic in the herd. Some, feel once you treat for the virus you’ll always have it on your farm or ranch. Orf is the name for the human form of this virus. It can be contracted from your animals but it is not likely. However, If your immunity system is a wreck use precautionary measures. I have been around it for years as others and have never had an instance. Full contact with the effected animals as well.
Iodine treatment is recommended for sore mouth treatment in kids and adults alike. Solutions available at your local feed store or local Pharmacy ranging from 1% to 7% concentrate iodine. While wearing surgical gloves, we treat by pouring iodine solution into rags and applying liberally around and on the effected area. Soaking the scabs completely. Being careful not to get it in the eyes of your animal. Then take the time to remove the outermost scabs or the tops of the scabs. Trash the scabs and burn for disposal.
Treat these symptoms daily until cured. I have found that the first day sometimes the scabs are in such an infected mass that it is very painful, and tender, perhaps best to remove the drying scab tops only or wait til the next day for removal. The scabs will indicate some drying overnight after iodine.
When treated early, recovery is within a week or approx. five treatments as a rule. Note: 1% iodine solutions should be applied 2-3 times per day. We still have some from last year that is 7% concentrate and it is applied daily. We use livestock markers to date the treatment and applications.
Tetanus or Lockjaw is preventable with two doses of tetanus toxoid annually. I use CD&T, which is tetanus toxoid included in the – Clostridium Perfingens type C and D. This is an all in one vaccine. CD&T gives your animal protection from tetanus as well as overeating. Inject subcutaneously per instructions on bottle. Repeat the treatment on young always a second time 21-28 days later.
Internal Parasites – such as stomach or intestinal round worm along with coccidia causing significant productivity reduction and the goats mortality in general. Noted as very common. One can gather fresh fecal from different locations of farm. Your local Veterinarian can show you how to do a float, determining necessity for deworming.
When using de-wormers exercise discipline and test your animals first. It is common for your animals not to need treatment. Parasites tend to develop an immunity to the chemical used. Keeping track of your results by returning to the Vet. with fecal for another float at a later date. If no improvement, I recommend you change to other de-wormers. This segment to be continued.
For more information feel free to visit the site http://TheGoatGuy.com/goat_diseases/
Bottle Jaw Worm or ( “Heamaneous Contoris”) This will be where we jump to the next posts. There is a lot of info. here Look for posts “Goat Diseases and Parasites”- Part2 in the Goat Diseases Category
To Your Success,
Daniel Truelove
The Goat Guy
