Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
warm, damp one. Avoid stressing your goats during cold weather by changing their stables or
feed unnecessarily.
Skin problems
Goats are plagued by fungal infections, lice, and mites, particularly if they are kept in a stable
where they are not able to groom themselves, scratch against fence posts, rub, and lick them-
selves. The goat constantly tries to scratch itself, hair falls out, and scales, scabs, and bald
patches appear.
Goats have healthier skin if they spend time outdoors. If kept in a stable, they should be
brushed regularly with a stiff brush.
Lice
Goats that are twitchy, fidgety, and have dull coats are probably infested with lice. Small
amounts of lice do not cause problems for healthy goats, but a goat with a serious infestation
will rub itself against every available object, lose hair, and have dandruff and dry skin. Dust-
ing, spraying, or dipping can control lice. Your veterinarian can recommend a louse powder
suitable for dairy animals. The entire herd must be treated at once. An old remedy is two parts
lard to one part kerosene rubbed on the goat. Fresh air, rain, and sunlight prevent lice from be-
coming a serious problem.
Mange
Tiny mites that burrow into the skin cause mange. Symptoms of mange are irritated, flaky
skin followed by hairlessness and thick, hard patches of skin. Demodectic and psoroptic ear
mange are specific to goats, while sarcoptic mange affects all species of animals. Mange can
be treated with medications available from a veterinarian.
Screwworms
Screwworms are present in the South and Southwest United States despite eradication pro-
grams. Screwworm flies lay eggs on open wounds, and the eggs hatch into hundreds of larvae
that feed on the living flesh for five to seven days. If a goat has a foul-smelling wound with
larvae in it, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Ringworm
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