Parasites
We have issues with parasites, just like the next farmer does. The thing we’ve found that is the most beneficial, is not overloading our pastures and rotational grazing. We move our does to different pastures every couple of weeks to a month during the spring, summer and fall.
Worms
Common worms species that can affect goats are: lung worms (Dictyocaulus spp. or Muellerius capillaris); stomach worms (Haemonchus contortus, commonly called barber pole worm); and liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica).
Many goat farmers will worm their goats on a schedule. We do not do that. In an effort to keep our goats from becoming resistant to the worming medications we use, we only worm them when eggs or larvae are found in their fecal sample. Our veterinarian runs the samples for us and lets us know what is found. We administer over the counter worming meds according to what was found. The most common over the counter that we use is Cydectin if a goat is pregnant or Valbazen when they are not. Valbazen can cause abortions, so we avoid it near and during breeding season.
Coccidia
Coccidiosis is a disease caused by various protozoan parasites of the Eimeria species.
We also test the fecal samples for coccidia, since we have chickens. Our chickens do not run in the pasture with the goats, but we still use caution as if they did. Goats typically have small numbers of coccidia, and build an immunity to it. The problem occurs when goats ingest large numbers of coccidia from the contaminated environment that can cause lifelong health problems for survivors, or can kill a goat.
Coccidia Prevention
For kids, we do not test fecal samples before administering a coccidia preventative. Typically, at three and six weeks of age, we administer Toltrazuril.
