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I am by no means an expert. I have done a lot of reading and have just learned by trial & error. These are just a few things that work for me...but just because they work today does not mean that they will work tomorrow.
GOOD LUCK!!!
The best medicine for goats is preventative medicine. Give your goats a clean, healthy environment to live in. Be sure they have lots of fresh water and clean feed. Give them lots of fresh air and sunshine. Worm them regularly, and rotate pastures if at all possible. Make sure that you have plenty of browse, so your goats keep their heads off the ground. After all, that is where the parasites are!
Walk through and look at your goats appearance every day. Goats can go from healthy to dead in just hours. And sometimes they show no outward signs of being sick until it is too late. Watch for any changes in eating habits, or strange behavior. If you have a goat laying off by their self for a long period of time, you could have troubles. If you catch problems early, they are usually easy to handle.
A normal goat has a temperature of 104 degrees F and a heart rate of 70 to 80 beats per minute. The respiration rate is 12 to15 breaths per minute. Heart and respiration rates are faster in kids. Rumen movements should occur one to two times per minute. Parasites, especially internal, prove to be the biggest issue to a goats health..
Because of the mild temperature and high annual rainfall (usually) in the Southeast, internal parasites are significant threats. Parasite problems are intensified in conditions of overcrowded and non-rotated pastures. Roundworms, stomach worms and coccidia are the most prevalent internal parasites. Symptoms of parasite infestation include a very rough coat, extreme weakness, bottle jaw (a swollen face and jaw), weight loss, diarrhea and anemia. Heavily-infested goats will have pale bottom eye lids due to blood loss or anemia. You can take a fecal sample to your vet and he or she will provide a diagnosis on the type and degree of worms you may have, as well as a recommended treatment. We check eyes randomly, and worm as needed.
Coccidiosis is a contagious disease, often seen in young kids and has symptoms similar to other internal parasites. Adults are generally mildly infected and will continuously shed oocysts that infect kids. Anywhere there is manure contamination, coccidia can spread. Regular deworming programs are ineffective against coccidia. Diagnosis of coccidia based on clinical signs of diarrhea and bloody stools or by fecal examination can call for consultation with your veterinarian. Try to keep your barn and goat hangouts clean. This is the best prevention you can practice.
Lice, flies, mosquitoes and ticks can also affect your goats. These can be treated with livestock sprays.
Pinkeye is caused by both viruses and bacteria. We have found that feeding hay above their head is a major cause of the viruses. The eye will have a watery discharge that turns to pus. The eye will then swell and turn white. Infected goats should be kept away from the herd. We give them an injection of LA200 and also treat the eye with a dose directly into the eye. We have found that the ointments and eye powders just don't work.
Soremouth is a highly contagious viral disease that causes scabbing sores on the lips and mouths of goats. People can also contract this virus, so be careful when handling infected goats. There are very few medicines that help. I have used a live virus vaccine but could not tell that it was very affective. As the scabs dry and fall off, goats that have never been infected will pick them up off the ground and become infected. It is a cycle that you will just have to deal with as you bring new goats into your herd or attend shows with other goats.
Another disease common in goats is pneumonia. Symptoms include high fever, labored breathing, coughing and nasal discharge. Pneumonia can be fatal so call your vet.
It is very important to make sure that you keep all your records up to date. Meat goats are just that, MEAT goats. So remember that when you worm, vaccinate, or treat with antibiotics that you will have a withdraw time. So you can not sell treated goats for slaughter.
Even if you only have 1 goat (which is not a good idea because they are heard animals), we highly recommend you put together a Goat First Aid Kit. Below is a list of what we keep in ours:
An Antibiotic to prevent infection
LA-200
Pen G
Epinephrine (adrenaline formula to counter shock)
Disposable Syringes
Weight Tape
Sterile Disposable Gloves
A Vet Thermometer
Probiotic Paste
Drench Gun
Nutri_Drench (the quick pick-me-upper that can perform miracles)
Electrolyte Powder
SafeGuard Wormer Paste (I use it only for kids)
Kaopectate or Pepto Bismol
Mineral Oil
Vetwrap
Self Adhesive Ace Bandage
Gauze Pads
Iodine-Betadine Wound Spray
Wound Kote
Blood Stopper Powder
Surgical Scissors
A GOOD RECORD BOOK
