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 …
Goat General Life Cycle
Before nematode (“roundworm”) parasite control measures can be considered, it is important to understand the life cycle of these worms. The life cycle of most nematodes includes periods spent within the host and in the environment.
Figure 1. [http://www.acsrpc.org]
The host goat ingests infective stage-3 larvae while grazing. These larvae mature into adult worms, then mate in the host, and the females lay eggs that are passed in the feces. The eggs hatch and develop to infective larvae …
What are some clinical symptoms of acorn poisoning in goats?
Goats affected by acorn poisoning have a poor appetite, appear dull, become constipated, suffer weight loss and look “gaunted up” or “tucked up”. They also may pass blood in the manure and/or bleed from the nostrils. Profuse diarrhea may follow after the experience constipation. Affected animals drink large amounts of water and void excessive amounts of clear urine (urine may also contain blood). Many animals go down after 3-7 days of acorn poisoning clinical signs. If these affected animals do …
Goat Dentition
All domestic animals have two successive sets of teeth. Deciduous teeth, or milk teeth, are the first set of teeth in young animals. These are replaced by a permanent set of teeth as animals age.
In an anatomic tooth-identification system, permanent teeth are designated as incisor (I), canine (C), premolar (P), and molar (M); deciduous teeth are designated as Di, Dc, and Dp. The canine tooth of domestic ruminants has commonly been counted as a fourth incisor.
The dental formulas …
Smart Use of Goat Dewormer
“Smart Drench”
The most important aspect of using dewormers is to conserve their effectiveness for use in animals that truly need them. This can be achieved by using them as little as possible and only when infection levels dictate that intervention is necessary. The old concepts of treating all animals when only a few show signs, or all animals at regular intervals—shorter than every three to four months—is no longer warranted because it promotes dewormer resistance. Even if new dewormers …
Other Non-Chemical Control Methods
Other Non-Chemical Small Ruminant Parasite Control Methods
- Mixed/Alternate Livestock Species Grazing
- Pasture Rotation
- Copper Oxide Wire Particles
- Condensed Tannin-Containing Forages
- Genetic Improvement
- Nematode-Trapping Fungi
- Vaccines
- Integrated Approaches
Mixed/Alternate Livestock Species Grazing
For the most part, each livestock species harbors its own species of parasites. However, sheep and goats share some of the same parasites. Only one worm species, Trichostrongylus axei, affects all livestock species; it is a minor stomach worm usually of little concern. Cattle and goats can be …
Keeping Your Goats Healthy
By: Dr. Ken Andries, Extension Animal Science Specialist
Kentucky State University
Healthy goats will eat well, chew their cud, have a shiny hair coat, strong feet and legs, be sociable, and have bright and clear eyes. To prevent health problems producers need to develop a good herd health program that includes proper nutrition, a clean well ventilated environment, kid processing, and keeping a vaccination schedule. The first step is to purchase animals that are healthy and from a herd with …
Goat Injections
Proper Administration of Injections
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, …
Assessing the Physical Condition of the Goat
Physical Evaluation
Listed below are brief explanations to guide a producer in evaluating a healthy animal. Any question about the condition or health status of an animal should be referred to a veterinarian; if in doubt, consult a veterinarian.
Taking rectal temperature.
Rectal Temperature
The first step in evaluating whether an animal is healthy is to take its temperature; in goats, this is done rectally. A digital thermometer works well; a plastic digital thermometer is very safe and will not …
Goat Extra Label Drug Use
Extra Label Drug Use is defined by the United States Food and Drug Administration as: “Actual use or intended use of a drug in an animal in a manner that is not in accordance with the approved labeling. This includes, but is not limited to, use in species not listed in the labeling, use for indications (disease and other conditions) not listed in the labeling, use at dosage levels, frequencies, or routes of administration other than those stated in the …