Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Fungal skin infections such as ringworm require treatment. Treatment includes using a solu-
tion of glycerine or tincture of iodine. Apply daily treatment of a mixture of equal parts tinc-
ture of iodine and glycerin or a 20-percent solution of sodium caprylate to the lesion until it
disappears. The antifungal activity of thiabendazole may provide a useful treatment.
Internal parasites
Nearly all goats, even those that are healthy, harbor various kinds of worms that inhabit the
stomach, intestine, liver, or lungs. Eggs are excreted and develop into infectious larvae either
on the ground or in an intermediate host. These larvae are ingested by feeding goats and grow
into worms inside the goats' bodies. Goats are susceptible to illness caused by these parasites
whenever their resistance is diminished by stress, heat, poor nutrition, or another health prob-
lem. Goats also harbor coccidia, single-celled parasites that do not harm adult goats but can
cause fatal intestinal illness in kids.
Symptoms of internal parasites are weight loss, rough coat, paleness of the mucous mem-
branes of the eye and mouth, repeated diarrhea, and decline in milk production. Goats suffer-
ing from internal parasites often arch their backs, and there may be swelling under the jaw.
Lungworms can cause coughing and a nasal discharge. The condition can be diagnosed by ex-
amining the feces of the goat under a microscope to determine what type of eggs are being ex-
creted.
The best way to prevent illness is to maintain the goats' resistance by providing a good diet
with a high content of minerals and vitamins. Good hygiene and pasture management help
control the numbers of parasite larvae ingested by goats. Implement the following recom-
mendations to decrease the chance internal parasites will harm your goats:
• Keep water and feed from being dirtied by goat droppings.
• Clean the feeding shelves and water containers often.
• Try to provide fodder, such as hay and leafy branches, free of parasite larvae.
• Replace litter straw often and construct floors and yards so they are easy to clean.
• Collect green feed from fields that have not been used as goat pastures or been fertilized
with goat manure in the past year.
