How To Know When Your Goat Is Sick
After extensive reading, and google searching different terminology, here is what I have been able to collect regarding your goat’s health. This is by no means a thorough list; I’m sure there is much more to be known. This is simply a starting point for those like me who have no idea about anything having to do with goats. Remember, I’m still in the learning stages too!
Signs that your goat is unwell:
- Your goat should greet you when you come to see or feed it. If it lies in its bed, and doesn’t get up, something is wrong.
- If it’s not eating.
- Droppings are not hard; they are runny or unusual.
- Grinding teeth; this is a sign that they may be in pain.
- Weight loss.
- Your goat has separated herself from the herd; stands alone with head and tail hanging down.
- Eyes are cloudy, runny or she keeps them closed.
- “Stargazing”; your goat holds its head up as if looking at the stars. Could be a sign of Listeriosis or Goat Polio.
- Not walking normally.
What to do if your goat is sick:
- Move any other goats into a separate area from the sick one. Keep them within sight of each other though, especially a baby goat.
- Be quiet and calm. Pet the animal reassuringly. You don’t want to make it nervous or upset.
- Take the goat’s temperature, using a regular household digital thermometer. Cover the end of the thermometer with Vaseline. Hold the goat’s tail up, and insert the thermometer an inch into the rectum. Keep it there for 30 sec. or until it beeps. A normal temperature is between 102.5 – 104 F.
- Check respiration. Your adult goat should be breathing 15-30 breaths per minute. A kid goat takes 20-40 breaths per minute.
- Check pulse rate. Should be 70-80 beats per minute.
Symptoms and Treatments:
*This is just a small list. For more info, check out the links I have listed at the bottom of the page.
Dental Problems
Check your goat’s jaw and mouth for any problems. Feel along the outside of the cheeks to determine any tender areas. Aged does especially can develop dental problems such as broken or sharp edged teeth. If eating is painful for them, they won’t be able to eat enough, or chew cud properly.
· Symptoms of possible dental problems:
-
-
- Food drops from mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Weight loss
- Foul breath
- Bleeding from mouth
- Undigested food in droppings
- Hollowed look in loin
-
· Treatment: It’s called “Floating Teeth”. Using a pony float, the teeth are filed down to smooth any sharp edges, and create a flat grinding surface.
Temperature Is Too High or Too Low
*See above on taking your goat’s temp.
If your goat’s temperature is too high or too low, it is a sure sign of an infection and antibiotics are most likely required. A vet needs to be called for immediate attention.
Goat Polio
· Symptoms
o Keeps holding its head up
o Seems to walk as if drunk or dizzy
· Treatment
o Thiamine
Tetanus
· Symptoms
o Walks stiffly
o Is a kid who has recently been disbudded (horns removed) or castrated
· Treatment
o Look for puncture wounds
o Give a Tetanus Shot
Worms
· Symptoms
o pale (or white) gums
o dull, scruffy coat
o diarrhea
o lower milk production
o clumpy droppings
o not eating properly
o not behaving normally; laying around
o subnormal or slightly elevated temperature
o rumen failure
o dehydration
o chronic coughing- dry cough, especially after running or other exercise.
o “bottle jaw” (severe infestation)- swelling under the jaw.
· Treatment
o Chemical wormers
Pneumonia
· Symptoms
o Runny nose
o Weight loss
o Cough
o Fever; sometimes not always
o Raspy or difficulty breathing
o Loss of appetite
· Treatment
o Tylan200 (avail. at farmer’s supply) 1cc/25lbs every 12 hours SubQ 5 days
o Nuflor (from vet only) 1cc/25lbs daily for 3-5 days SubQ- Use 18Ga Needle as this is thickOR
o Oxytetracycline -LA200 or Biomycin (avail. at farmer’s supply) 1cc/25lbs 5 days SubQ
This is just to name a few common ailments and treatments. For more goat’s health issues and suggested treatments be sure to check out these sites:
If you know any other good advice regarding taking care of goats, or any useful links please pass them along. Thanks!!
Kendra, I don’t know a thing about raising goats, but I just read a post about issues with goats and vet care on one of my favorite blogs, “Chickens in the Road”. The blog owner just lost one of her goats last week, and writes of the frustration of trying to get help. There is some good advice, in amongst the tearful posts, in the comments section.
http://suzannemcminn.com/blog/2009/04/18/dancing-on-two-feet-with-angel-wings/
Leave your response!