index

Goat Health

Acidosis- occurs
after accidentally
taking in large
quantities of
concentrate foodstuff.

Depressed ,hangs its
head down, drunken
behavior, muscle
twitching, bloat tends
to occur, swelling on
left flank, may grind
teeth.

Stop access to food.
Drench goat with
something alkaline
such as bicarbonate of
soda.2-3 ounces will
help neutralize acid.
Walking goat has some
value. Contact
veterinarian as
needed.

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Enterotoxemia -
(overeating Disease)

Sudden loss of
appetite.Depression
and a drunken
appearance. As it
progresses the
animal becomes
unable to stand and
lies on side making
padding movements.
High temperature and
diarrhea.

Cutting food back is
important, especially
restricting the
quantity of new feed
types. Standard
treatment is to
administer one
dessert-spoonfull
(50g) of glucose plus
one teaspoon (10g)
of table salt in 1.5
liters of tepid water,
offered in a bucket.

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Lice- parasite

Intense irritation,
rubbing , bald
patches

Lose powder will
normally control
the problem.
Insecticides for
spray or dip
repeated.

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Pinkeye

A watery eye
with excess
tears spilling
over on to the
skin. May be
reddening and
cornea becomes
cloudy . Animal
sensitive to the
light.

Flush eyes with
1cc of penicillin
or
Oxytetacycline
for several days.
Isolate animal
from others to
keep it from
spreading.

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Pneumonia

Refuses food,
stands around
hanging head
down, sounds
congested
elevated
temperature,
and cough and
breathes rapidly
or with difficulty

Antibacterial
drugs such as
Oxytetacycline.
May require
veterinary-only
drugs if severe.

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Polioencephalomalcia
(Goat Polio) - a
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
deficiency. From feeding
too much grain and too
little roughage.

"Stargazing"
uncoordinated
staggering and/or
weaving, drunkeness,
circling, head against
wall and apparent
blindness.

Thiamine is the only
effective treatment, and
results can be seen within
as little as 2 hours. Only
50% of treated animals live,
if the disease is caught
early enough.

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White Muscle Disease-
Vitamin E and Selenium
deficiency

Stiffness, weakness
and trembling. Back
legs become stiff and
unable to use.

Administration of selenium,
together with vitamin E will
reverse symptoms.

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Soremouth-
(Contagious Ecthyman)

This viral disease causes
sores and scabs on lips
and skin around the
mouth.

The scabs dry up and fall
off in about 3 weeks.
Treatment is not generally
necessary if goat is able to
eat and drink.

Health Care Tip's:
Regular, careful obseervation is
needed to keep goat and goats
healthy. Animals can "tell" you
when they are sick. These are
come signs to look for that may
help you know the goat is not
feeling well:

* tends to stay away from other
goats
* has a distressed expression in
the eyes
* looks dull and listless
* does not want to move
* grinds it's teeth
* breathes in a quick, shallow
fashion or coughs
* has no appetite
* urinates frequently
* has a temperature above
normal (normal is about 103
deg F)

Good management and careful
observation will help you keep
your goats free of diseases and
ailments. Such practics will also
help you spot problems early,
usually thr time when the most
can be done to help the goat.

Disease

Symptom

Treatment