While goats are generally hardy animals, they are still susceptible to parasites and diseases. A preventative disease program should be discussed with a veterinarian knowledgeable in goat health related issues. Daily observation of goats is an important aspect of the management program. Warning signs of a sick goat may include:

• Avoidance of contact with other goats or owner

• Distressed facial expression, especially in the eyes

• Appears listless and dull

• Reluctance to move

• Quick shallow breathing

• Coughing

• Nasal discharge

• Teeth grinding

• Refusal to eat

• Frequent urination

• Change in color and consistency of feces

• Lower milk production (lactating goats)

• Abnormal color and consistency of milk (lactating goats)

• Fever (above 103^oF)

• Changes in behavior or habits.

Consult a veterinarian if any of these signs are observed. Early detection of health-related problems will increase the probability of successful treatment. To help ensure healthy goats, purchase goats from a healthy herd. Isolate newly purchased goats from the rest of the herd for at least 30 days. If the goat has an infectious disease, it will probably become evident within this time period.

External Parasites
External parasites affecting goats include lice, ticks, horn flies, house flies, stable flies, horse flies, deer flies, and mosquitoes. While it is unrealistic to expect 100% fly control, good management can prevent fly populations from becoming bothersome. Frequent pen/lot cleaning and proper manure and bedding disposal are key factors in fly population control. If goats are infected with lice, consult a veterinarian for treatment.

Internal Parasites
Internal Parasites Internal parasites, particularly Haemonchus ( Barberpoleworm ), are of great health and economic concern to goat producers. In fact, internal parasites are the major health threat to the U.S. goat industry. The best method to effectively control Haemonchus and other worms and minimize dewormer resistance is to selectively deworm (e.g. only deworm those animals that are seriously infected). A system of evaluation called FAMACHA has been developed to determine the degree of Haemonchus infection in goats and sheep. FAMACHA is a chart that correlates lower eyelid mucous membrane color to degree of anemia. Haemonchus feeds on blood in the abomasum where it resides. As Haemonchus levels increase each summer, animals can lose enough blood to affect growth and health. The FAMACHA chart consists of a scale of 1 to 5 to determine the degree of anemia. Level 1 and 2 is excellent, 3 and 4 require deworming, and 5 shows extreme infection and requires immediate deworming to avoid risk of sudden death.

General worm control recommendations for pastured goats:

• Keep stocking rates low and allow vegetation to grow tall

• Offer protein supplementation during high risk periods

• Rotate goats away form worn-contaminated pasture or use pasture grazed by cattle

• Cull poor doers

• Use dewormers labeled for goats whenever possible

• Administer oral dewormers (use drench gun) designed for goats/sheep

• Deworm purchased goats with two dewormers of different classes

• Selectively deworm before going to pasture

• Monitor often using FAMACHA during late spring and summer when risk is high and deworm selectively as needed

• Test for dewormer resistance every two years

• Deworm kids at weaning and consider deworming does prior to kidding when administering CDT vaccine

Coccidiosis
Young kids are more susceptible to coccidiosis, which is caused by an intestinal protozoan. Diarrhea, which is often blood-tinged, dehydration, weakness, and weight loss are characteristic of coccidiosis. Since this disease is potentially fatal, preventative measures should be part of the management program. Proper sanitation is essential since the infective organism is transmitted via manure. Feed additives are available for prevention and treatment of coccidiosis.

Enterotoxemia
Clostridium perfringens (types C and D) bacteria normally present in the intestinal tract are responsible for enterotoxemia or overeating disease, as it is commonly known. Death is rapid and signs are seldom seen in kids. Mature goats show depression and incoordination. Abrupt changes in the feeding program or overfeeding will predispose goats to enterotoxemia. Feeding changes enable the Clostridial organisms to rapidly grow and release a powerful toxin, capable of causing death in a few hours. All goats, especially show goats, should be vaccinated for types C and D Clostridium perfringens. Consult a veterinarian for suggested vaccination schedule. Due to the management/nutrition induced predisposition of enterotoxemia, feed changes should be made gradually over a period of 7-10 days.

Also See Gastro-Intestinal Parasite Survival Kit

Tetanus
Goats are very susceptible to tetanus. Tetanus is caused by a gram-positive bacillus Clostridium tetani that produces a neurotoxin. Clostridium tetani spores enter through wounds following castration, kidding, ear tagging, disbudding, etc. Clinical signs of the disease can appear within 4 to 21 days of initial infection. Symptoms include erect ears, elevated tail, extended neck, rocking horse stance, rigidity, difficulty in opening mouth, and a prolapsed third eyelid. The infection is deadly, and producers often find young goats dead with heads extended. The best protection against tetanus is a regular vaccination program such as VISION CD-T, which is a combination of Clostridium perfringens C&D and Tetanus toxoid.

Does should be vaccinated 2-6 weeks prior to anticipated kidding date. Kids should have an initial dose at 30 days of age and a booster at 60 days of age
or at weaning. Bucks should have an annual booster. Horses routinely pass the tetanus organism in their droppings. This means that goat producers with horses may be at greater risk and should definitely have a tetanus vaccination program for their goats.

Urinary Calculi
The formation of calculi  (stones) in the urinary tract of male goats, especially wethers, is the result of an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in the ration. Young males should not be castrated prior to 30 days of age. The first sign of this metabolic disease is a goat’s inability to urinate. Restlessness, kicking at the belly, stretching, and attempts to urinate are characteristic signs of urinary calculi. Calculi may form when wether goats are fed rations high in phosphorus, which contain an imbalanced calcium to phosphorus ratio. Diets which provide large amounts of grains (grains contain more phosphorus than calcium) may predispose goats to urinary calculi unless the diet has been fortified to provide a 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio. Use of ammonium chloride in the feed has been shown to lessen the likelihood of urinary calculi. A source of clean, fresh water should also be available at all times. Encourage goats to drink water. Providing a free-choice mineral supplement and salt will facilitate water intake.

Soremouth
Contagious Ecthyma (EC), commonly known as soremouth, is caused by a very hardy virus from the pox family. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted to humans. The disease progresses from water-filled blisters to pustules and finally brown scabs on the lips and in the mouth. Lesions may also occur on the udder and between the toes. If the lesions do not become infected, the disease runs its course in one-four weeks. Mature goats typically only suffer mild loss of condition due to unwillingness to consume feed due to sores in the mouth. Kids are more susceptible to dire effects of this disease. They may refuse to nurse due to mouth sores and may become lame from foot lesions. Infected animals should be kept clean and in a clean environment to help prevent lesions from becoming infected. Some owners rub iodine into the lesions after scabs fall off. This helps dry the lesion and reduces infections. A vaccine is available. Check with a veterinarian regarding usage.

Foot Rot
Foot rot can be prevented by keeping the goat’s pen and pasture relatively dry. Drain and fill in wet, muddy areas. The obvious sign of foot rot is lameness. A grayish, cheesy discharge with a foul odor is typical. Intense pain can occur. The rotten hoof area should be trimmed and the foot treated with a 10-30% copper sulfate solution or other treatment prescribed by a veterinarian.

Bloat
The accumulation of excessive amounts of gas in the rumen (bloat) is generally caused by overeating tender, young, high-moisture forages, particularly legumes. Signs of bloat include restlessness evidenced by frequently lying down and getting up, kicking at abdomen, and making loud grunting noises. Call for veterinarian assistance immediately as goats can die quickly. Prevention hinges on ensuring goats are not hungry before turning them out to graze on lush forage. Providing goats with a sufficient quantity of hay to consume prior to turn out will help prevent bloat.

Pinkeye
Excessive eye watering, reddened mucous membranes, and clouding of the pupil are characteristic signs of pinkeye (infectious keratoconjunctivitis), which is contagious. Stress, such as transporting, predisposes the goat to pinkeye. Contributing factors include dry, dusty pens and constant exposure to sunlight. Flies are known carriers of pinkeye. Numerous broad-spectrum, antibiotic ophthalmic powders and ointments are available for treatment. Consult a veterinarian regarding the preferred products.

Ringworm
Ringworm, caused by the fungi Trichophyton verrucosum in goats, is easily spread from goat to goat, from infected equipment to goat, and from goat to human. Skin lesions are circular in appearance and the skin becomes dry and scaly. A preventative program is essential. Disinfection of equipment and premises is highly suggested, especially when showing goats.

Caseous Lymphadenitis
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (or C. ovis) is the organism responsible for recurring (chronic) lymph node abscesses (Caseous Lymphadenitis or CL, also  known as pseudotuberculosis). Abscesses can develop slowly, taking months or years to develop and can be internal and external. Infection enters the goat’s body through wounds caused by head butting, punctures, or shearing. Although less likely, infection can also occur via ingestion, inhalation, or penetration of intact skin.

External abscesses are usually found under the goat’s ears on the neck and head areas. Internal abscesses are commonly found in the lungs, although they can occur in the liver, kidneys, scrotum, and udder. Not all abscesses are CL. Many abscesses are fast-growing nodules containing a foul-smelling greenish pus caused by Actinomyces pyogenes. An inexpensive blood test can determine the bacteria responsible for abscess formation.

Currently, neither treatment products nor a preventative vaccine is available. Goats with CL should be isolated from the herd. An abscess should not be left to burst on its own and contaminate the environment. Care is needed in handling CL infected goats as humans can contract the disease. Contact a veterinarian regarding proper procedure for lancing CL abscesses.

 Mastitis
An udder infection (mastitis) in lactating goats may be chronic or acute. It is evidenced by a hot, swollen, hard udder that is painful. The milk may contain abnormal secretions, such as clots, stringiness, or traces of blood. Antibiotics are used to treat mastitis. Proper milking practices, stringent sanitation, avoidance of injury to the udder and teats, and use of clean, dry bedding are crucial to mastitis prevention.

Ketosis
Ketosis is a metabolic disease, which can occur immediately prior to giving birth or shortly thereafter. Proper feed management prevents ketosis. During the last two weeks of pregnancy, the amount of feed fed should gradually be increased. Avoid sudden ration changes. Loss of appetite and little interest in kids after birth are typical signs. An unusual odor to the breath, urine, and milk may also be detected. Veterinarian intervention will be required for does with ketosis.

Milk Fever
A drop in blood calcium is the cause of milk fever. It usually occurs prior to kidding or shortly thereafter and occurs more often in high producing does. Affected does are typically found lying down and unable to get up (partial paralysis). Veterinary care is needed if this occurs. Prevention can be accomplished through dietary manipulation. During the last month of pregnancy, ensure the ration does not contain high amounts of calcium. Keep calcium content of the diet low by feeding good-quality grass hay rather than legume hay and using a low calcium mineral supplement.

Polioencephalomalacia
Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) is a thiamin-responsive disease caused by “factors” which impair thiamin synthesis or destroy thiamin, a B vitamin. Thiamin is involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Primary factors contributing to occurrence of PEM include high-grain diets, incidence of acidosis, and feeds or water containing exceptionally high sulfur levels. Corn by-products contain high levels of sulfur. Signs of PEM, a non-infectious, neurological disease, include dullness, excitability, head pressing, aimless wandering impaired vision, and muscular incoordination. Treatment involves injecting affected animals with thiamin solution.

 Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis
This retroviral (virus that produces disease after long incubation period and infection persists throughout animal’s life span) infection of goats causes chronic joint disease. Two forms of caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) have been identified – arthritic and nervous. The arthritic form is clinically evidenced at one-two years of age with varying severity. Some goats may show intermittent lameness or stiffness for several years without becoming totally debilitated. Lameness is usually seen first, followed by joint swelling, most often in the front knees. As arthritis progresses the animal looses body condition.

The nervous form of CAE usually appears between one-four months of age. Kids have weak hind legs eventually leading to paralysis. Some older goats may exhibit the nervous form. Signs in adult goats include circling, head tilt, and facial nerve paralysis.

Since not all goats infected with CAE show signs, a serology test can be conducted to test for viral antibodies. A positive serology test indicates the goat is a potential shedder of the virus, primarily during lactation.

The virus is spread primarily to kids via colostrum/milk from infected does. Mature goat transmission other than through colostrum/milk is rare. Disease transmission can be prevented by separation of kids from CAE-positive does at birth and artificial rearing. Colostrum from CAE-negative does should be given to kids. The virus can be inactivated by heating colostrum/milk to 133-138^oF and holding at this temperature for one hour. To prevent CAE from entering a herd, all herd additions should be verified CAE-free.

Ensure goats have access to clean, fresh water and forage at all times. Goat Power Mineral should be offered free-choice at all times. Goat Power products contain copper. Do not feed to sheep or other copper sensitive species. Angora and Pygmy goats have been reported to be sensitive to copper supplementation.