How to Deworm Goats: Essential Steps for Maintaining Herd Health

Deworming goats is a crucial part of keeping them healthy. Regular deworming helps goats stay strong and grow well. For comprehensive information about goat care, check out our guide on how to raise goats.

Goat owners need to know when and how to deworm their animals. There are signs to watch for that show a goat might have worms. These include weight loss, dull coat, and pale gums. A vet can do tests to check for worms. The right dewormer and dose depend on the type of worms and the goat's size. Learn more about goat health issues in our guide about common goat diseases.

Good farm practices also help control worms in goats. Clean pastures and proper feeding reduce worm problems. For proper nutrition guidance, see our feeding goats guide. Rotating grazing areas gives pastures time to rest. This breaks the worm life cycle. With the right care, goats can stay worm-free and healthy.

Understanding Goat Parasites

Goat parasites can cause serious health issues if left untreated. These tiny invaders live inside goats and feed off them, leading to various problems. Different breeds may have varying susceptibility to parasites - learn more in our best dairy goat breeds guide.

Types of Internal Parasites

Internal parasites in goats include several types of worms. The most common are:

• Barber pole worms (Haemonchus contortus)
• Brown stomach worms
• Tapeworms
• Lungworms

Barber pole worms are often the biggest threat. They suck blood from the stomach lining, causing anemia. This is particularly important for dairy breeds like Saanen and Nubian goats, as it can affect milk production. Learn more about dairy goat care in our guide on raising goats for milk.

Signs of Parasite Infestation

Watch for these signs of worm problems:

• Weight loss even with good food
• Rough, dull coat
• Pale gums (sign of anemia)
• Bottle jaw (swelling under the jaw)
• Diarrhea
• Coughing (with lungworms)

Regular checks can catch issues early. For those new to goat farming, our best goat breeds for beginners guide includes information about breed hardiness and parasite resistance.

The Impact of Parasites on Health and Productivity

Parasites harm goats in many ways. They can cause:

• Poor growth in young goats
• Lower milk production
• Weak immune systems
• Anemia from blood loss
• Death in severe cases

Regular hoof trimming and proper care are essential for maintaining healthy goats. For breeding operations, parasite control is crucial - see our guide on profitable goat breeding.

Worms also hurt farm profits. Infected goats eat more but produce less. They need more vet care and medicine. This costs time and money for farmers.

Keeping goats worm-free is key for their health and farm success. Regular checks and proper care can prevent many parasite problems.

Deworming Essentials

Deworming is vital for keeping goats healthy. It helps control parasites and prevents health issues. Proper timing, product selection, and administration are key for effective deworming.

When and How Often to Deworm

Goats need regular deworming to stay healthy. The frequency depends on several factors:

• Climate: Warm, wet areas may need more frequent deworming • Grazing habits: Goats on pasture need more frequent treatment • Age: Young goats are more susceptible to worms

A good rule is to deworm every 4-6 weeks during peak parasite seasons. In colder months, you can space treatments further apart.

Fecal egg counts help determine when to deworm. Collect fresh samples and have them tested. This shows if parasites are present and guides treatment decisions.

Choosing the Right Dewormer

Picking the right dewormer is crucial. Different products target specific parasites. Common options include:

• Ivermectin: Broad-spectrum, effective against many worms • Fenbendazole: Good for roundworms • Levamisole: Works well for barber pole worms

Rotate dewormers to prevent resistance. Don't use the same product more than twice in a row.

Consider your goats' needs and local parasite patterns. Consult a vet for advice on the best deworming strategy for your herd.

Administering Dewormers

Proper administration ensures dewormers work effectively. Follow these steps:

1. Weigh each goat to calculate the correct dose
2. Use the proper method (oral, injectable, or pour-on)
3. Follow label instructions for dosage and safety

Oral dewormers are common. Use a drench gun or syringe to give the medicine. Make sure the goat swallows the full dose.

Keep records of treatments. Note the date, product used, and dosage for each goat. This helps track effectiveness and plan future treatments.

Observe withdrawal times before using milk or meat from treated goats. This ensures products are safe for human consumption.

Fecal Egg Count and Diagnosis

Fecal egg counts are a key tool for goat owners to assess parasite loads and deworm effectively. This method helps identify worm problems and test dewormer effectiveness.

Conducting Fecal Egg Counts

To perform a fecal egg count, gather fresh goat droppings and the right tools. You'll need a microscope, fecal flotation solution, and a special slide with counting grids.

Mix a small amount of feces with the flotation solution. Fill the slide chambers with the mixture. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow eggs to float to the top.

Look at the slide under the microscope. Count all the eggs within the grid lines. This gives you the number of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces.

Interpreting FEC Results

The egg count helps determine if a goat needs deworming. A count over 500 EPG often means treatment is needed.

Different types of worm eggs look unique under the microscope. Learn to spot common parasites like barber pole worms.

Keep in mind that egg counts don't always match the actual worm load. Some worms lay more eggs than others. Use FEC results along with other signs of worm problems.

Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT)

The FECRT checks if dewormers are working well. Do a fecal egg count before deworming. Then do another count 10-14 days after treatment.

Figure out the percent reduction in egg count. A good dewormer should reduce the count by at least 95%.

If the reduction is less than 95%, the worms might be resistant to that dewormer. Try a different type of dewormer next time.

Regular FECRTs help catch resistance early. This lets goat owners switch to effective treatments before worms become a big problem.

Medications and Treatments

Deworming goats requires careful selection of medications and methods. Proper treatment is key for keeping goats healthy and parasite-free.

Overview of Anthelmintic Medications

Anthelmintic drugs are the main tools for fighting worms in goats. Fenbendazole (Safe-Guard) is a common dewormer that targets many types of worms. It comes as a liquid, paste, or pellets. Ivermectin works well against roundworms and some external parasites. It's given as an injection or oral dose.

Levamisole is effective but can be toxic if not dosed correctly. Moxidectin is strong and long-lasting, good for stubborn worm problems. Benzimidazoles are a class of dewormers that includes fenbendazole and albendazole.

Rotating between drug classes helps prevent resistance. Always follow dosing instructions carefully. Goats often need higher doses than other animals.

Alternative Deworming Methods

Some farmers use natural methods alongside or instead of drugs. Rotational grazing limits worm exposure by moving goats to clean pastures. Copper oxide wire particles may help control barber pole worms when added to feed.

Certain plants like garlic, pumpkin seeds, and herbs might have deworming effects. But their impact isn't well-proven. Good nutrition boosts immunity against parasites. Clean living areas and removing manure also reduce worm loads.

Fecal egg counts help track worm levels without drugs. This lets farmers treat only when needed. No single method works for all farms. A mix of strategies often works best.

Managing Deworming in a Herd

Proper deworming practices are key for keeping goat herds healthy. For those new to goat farming, check our best goat breeds for beginners guide for breed-specific health considerations. Careful timing and product choices help control parasites while avoiding resistance issues.

Deworming Pregnant Does

Pregnant does need special care when deworming. Some products can harm unborn kids. For more information about pregnancy care, see our guide on signs of pregnant goats. Safe options include:

• Fenbendazole (Panacur, Safeguard)
• Moxidectin

Give these in the first 45 days of pregnancy. Avoid Valbazen until after kidding. It can cause birth defects.

Check with a vet for dosing. Pregnant does may need more frequent treatments. This helps protect both mom and babies from parasites.

Withholding Periods for Meat and Milk

Dewormers leave traces in meat and milk. Farmers must wait before using these products for food. This is called the withholding period.

Milk withholding times vary:

• Fenbendazole: 0-4 days
• Ivermectin: 9 days
• Moxidectin: 0-5 days

Meat withholding periods are often longer:

• Fenbendazole: 8-16 days
• Ivermectin: 14-35 days
• Moxidectin: 7-34 days

Always check product labels. Follow rules to keep food safe for humans.

Strategies for Preventing Resistance

Parasites can become resistant to dewormers over time. Smart use helps drugs stay effective longer.

Tips to slow resistance:

• Use FAMACHA scores to treat only sick goats
• Rotate between drug classes yearly
• Don't underdose
• Avoid deworming in dry weather
• Move goats to clean pastures after treatment

Good farm practices also help:

• Keep pastures clean and dry
• Avoid overcrowding
• Feed goats off the ground
• Cull animals that need frequent deworming

These steps reduce parasite loads naturally. This means less reliance on drugs.