Sable goats are derived from the Saanen breed which originated in Switzerland. They may be any color or combination of colors except white or light cream.
Sables are the result of the interaction of recessive genes from the sire and from the dam. If the offspring has a dominant gene for white color, the animal is white and thus a Saanen and not …
This disease affects sheep and goats and is caused by a highly contagious virus. Lesions most commonly occur on the mouth and face but can also occur on the feet, teats and genitalia. The virus is present worldwide and can remain infective in scabs in the environment for months to years.
The virus is spread by direct contact between animals or …
The infectious stage, Phase 4, is affected by stocking rate in two ways. If the same animals are still grazing the pasture, the stocking rate determines how many eggs initially contaminated (Phase 2) the pasture and, consequently, how many infective larvae were available from the feces initially deposited to infect the animals that are still grazing in the same pasture at the same stocking rate. Often it is advisable to remove the animals from a grazing pasture before the eggs …
Does or ewes with ears cropped due to frostbite damage at birth are not an uncommon sight on Northeastern goat and sheep farms. Although the condition is not life-threatening, it can lead to interesting explanations in the show ring. In severe winters, frostbite can be farm more serious, affecting newborns’ feet and tails and teats of dairy does.
Under normal conditions, blood carries oxygen throughout an animal’s body to keep all tissues healthy. However, if an animal’s body temperature suddenly …
Biosecurity refers to strategies and management practices that lessen biological risk. On a farm, attention to biosecurity is the most important measure to reduce and prevent the introduction of diseases or pests of animals and plants. Biosecurity practices also minimize the spread of diseases or pests within a farm system. Many aspects of biosecurity are common sense, but if these strategies and practices are not enforced consistently, there is a greater risk …
Administration of injectable medications is sometimes necessary in the routine management of goat herds. The following recommendations are guidelines for proper administration technique for each type of injection. Following these guidelines and using proper equipment and animal-handling methods will reduce stress on animals during treatment. Practicing proper sanitation will minimize introduction of bacteria into medication vials and/or the patient, thereby reducing injection reactions and abscesses. Dirty needles and syringes spread disease if used on multiple animals, …
Health Issues at Weaning:
Weaning health issues include both kid and doe problems. The major problem with the does at this time is mastitis. This problem generally is caused by improper dry-off practices at weaning. Most good does will produce milk as long as the kid is nursing. This can create problems at weaning. The doe’s udder after weaning will fill when the kids have not nursed, and producers may not notice the initial signs of mastitis building until the …
Q-fever results from infection by Coxiella burnetti. This is an unusual spore-like organism that is highly resistant to environmental conditions. It is found worldwide, except in New Zealand, and transmitted to humans and other animals by aerosol, direct contact with reproductive discharges,or infected milk. Ticks can spread infection among ruminants and people.
Since the organism is so resistant in the …
This can be a devastating disease caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. It is more common in sheep than in goats. It causes abscesses of the skin and subcutaneous lymph nodes that will break open to the skin’s surface and contaminate the environment. This disease may affect the animal internally, most commonly the respiratory system, causing long-term respiratory problems. It …
Originally compiled by the faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, the Worm Workshop of the South African Veterinary Association, and the Intervet South Africa, with the support of the Food and and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the National Wool Growers’ Association and the National and Provincial Departments of Agriculture in South Africa.
Modified by Dr. Ray M. Kaplan and Dr. James E. Miller within the framework of USDA SARE grant # LS02-143 to …
