When you are with your herd often and start leaning their normal behaviors, you will notice when someone is not quite behaving right.
I decided to make a simple chart for the common goat problems so we can follow and guess the possibilities of the problems.
*If you can access to your vet quickly, of course, that would be the best way to figure out! This is only for when you don't have time to ask your vet or don't have vet close by etc.
I decided to make a simple chart for the common goat problems so we can follow and guess the possibilities of the problems.
*If you can access to your vet quickly, of course, that would be the best way to figure out! This is only for when you don't have time to ask your vet or don't have vet close by etc.
**When you find your goats laying on the side way, ALWAYS make sure to plop them up in the sternal position (Sphinx position.)
(In this picture, she was actually doing the "death nap", according to Bad Alibi Farm! So no worries....)
Symptoms
Diarrhea
Skin looks dull Possibly less energy |
Gather info
Temperature
Fecal sample Famacha Goat's age |
Guess
If the goat is less than 8 months old, most likely Coccidiosis
If the goat is older, most likely some kinds of Strongyles |
What to do
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How to prevent it from next time
Symptoms
Standing or sitting alone
Grinding teeth Not bloating Weeing & pooping OK |
Gather info
Temperature
Famacha |
Guess
If the temperature is above normal (103.5~) most likely Pneumonia
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What to do
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How to prevent it from next time
Symptoms
Standing or sitting alone Grinding teeth Not bloating Weeing & pooping OK |
Gather info
Temperature Famacha |
Guess
If the temperature is lower than 101.5, it's most likely Pneumonia and in the fatal condition |
What to do
FIRST!!
Then
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How to prevent it from next time
Keeping up their basic condition and immune system going is the key of fighting against triggering it.
Symptoms
Looking pretty normal
Weeing & Pooping OK |
Gather info
Famacha
if scores 3,4,5, Fecal sample |
Guess
Famacha score 4 & 5 and fecal sample confirms, it's blood sucking Strongyles type parasite. If Famacha is 5, fatal.
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What to do
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How to prevent it from next time
Symptoms
Goat lying down sideway
Almost unconscious Big tummy |
Gather info
Famacha
Temperature Tummy is bouncy or tight |
Guess
If the tummy is tight, most likely it is Bloated and could be fatal
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What to do
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How to prevent it from next time
Do not over feed new food. Introduce them very slowly. Same with green pasture in the first thing during the spring time. Limit their pasture time to let their body adjust to the fresh greens.
Symptoms
Boy is in pain
Having trouble peeing |
Gather info
Check how he is peeing
Is his pee splashing? |
Guess
Most likely, Urinary Calculi
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What to do
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How to prevent it from next time
In order to prevent from Urinary Calculi, make sure that boy goats are drinking very well. Also not giving high protein hay nor goat feed. If their body scores are great, you do not need extra proteins in their feed.
To improve their liquid intake, you could give extra salt for them for every day. for wethers, we like to wait to band them until after 2 or 3 month old, if it's possible.
To improve their liquid intake, you could give extra salt for them for every day. for wethers, we like to wait to band them until after 2 or 3 month old, if it's possible.
Symptoms
Stargazing
blindness. |
Gather info
Is he stargazing
Blind Circling around Struggling to stand up |
Guess
Polio : Caused by acidosis in the rumen with change of feed or grain oriented feeding causing to have thiamine deficiency or Sulfur toxicity.
Listeria: Caused by eating moldy hay. Listeriosis is caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and is commonly seen in cooler climates. |
What to do
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How to prevent it from next time
Careful with feeding. No moldy hay or moldy feed. Do not change grainy feed suddenly.
Symptoms
Lumpy udder
Fresh milk smells off Udder color change to dark Fever |
Gather info
Temperature
Do CMT milk test |
Guess
Mastitis
Congested udder |
What to do
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How to prevent it from next time
Making sure to milk out each time. Clean the tip of teats well after milking. Dip into the sanitizing dip. If you see any harder to milk condition, make sure to use hot towel to warm the udder and massage a lot before milking. Milking often also will help.
Symptoms
Before and after kidding
Lethargic Away from the herd Not eating |
Gather info
Keto slip
Ph slip |
Guess
Hypocalcemia
Milk fever |
What to do
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How to prevent it from next time