A2B—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 2,1981
Control internal parasites to keep goats healthy
DOVER, Del. Goats are very
susceptible to many kinds of in
ternal parasite including
tapeworms, several types of
roundworm, pinworms and
lungworms. Their eating habits
are partly to blame.
A milking goat consumers
anywhere from 25 to 40 percent of
its body weight in grass compared
to 15 percent for sheep and 20
percent for cows. Since worm
larvae often enter host animals by
way of infested grass, this means
the goat probably ingests mare
larvae (for its size) than these
other ruminants. It also has
relatively more stomach wall area
for its size than they do. So there’s
a lot more surface to which worms
can attach themselves.
Sue Waterman is a pre-vet major
at the University of Delaware who
raises goats. Last semester she did
a special student project on the
internal parasites which afflict
them, under the guidance of dairy
specialist Dr. George Haenlem.
They both agree that worms can be
a serious problem in goats.
Signs of infestation mclude
weight loss, hstlessness, and
roughness of coat. There may be a
drop in milk production, or poor
growth in kids. Itching may in
dicate pmworms. And since many
parasites feed on blood, anemia is
often a symptom.
It’s also possible for an ap
parently healthy animal to be
infested. So the surest way to know
whether a goat has worms is to
take a federal sample and have
this analyzed.
Certain environmental con
ditions increase the chance of
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parasitism, says Waterman.
Pastures that are fouled with goat
manure provide favorable hat
ching conditions for eggs. Once
larvae hatch they climb the grass,
ready for grazing animals. It’s
easier for larvae to crawl up wet
grass, so wet pastures add to a
parasite problem.
Trying to keep too many goats in
too little space can lead to
parasitism. Since sheep and goats
share the same pai asites, this can
contribute to the problem. (It
should be noted that these
parasites do not transfer to
people.)
Any stress that lowers an
animal’s resistance is an invitation
for parasites to take their toll.
These stresses include illness, old
age, crowding, and heavy milk
production. Changing from hard
food to soft, or vice versa, can
make a goat’s digestive tract more
susceptible to parasite attack.
Kids that lose too much weight
after weaning may suffer serious
worm damage. Heavy infestations
are more likely to occur in older,
heavy producing does or young,
recently weaned kids than they are
in the average backyard doe.
Waterman says there are many
ways to disrupt the life cycle of
parasitic worms. Avoid over
stocking pastures by rotating and
resting them as needed. Be sure
the land is well drained. Manure is
a source of contamination, so
remove it promptly. Keep it away
from food and water.,And wean
kids away from older animals
because these can infect them.
Such preventive measures are
very important. But the best
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For lower cost per
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control is to worm your goats
regularly. Since worms can
become resistant to a compound
that’s used repeatedly, frequent
changes of medication are ad
visable.
Many kmds of worm medicine
are available If your veterinarian
does the job for you, make a note of
the medication used. It’s your
responsibility as owner to
remember the compound and see
that the treatment is changed often
enough.
You can also administer the
STATE COLLEGE Brenda Other Junior officers are Joe
Walter of R 2, Airville, was elected Messick, vice president; Josephine
to serve as the first president of the
Pennsylvania Junior Simmental
Association
Brenda is 19 years old and lives
on a 150 acre farm with her family.
She has been involved in livestock
and meat judging contests at
county, regional, state and
national levels. Brenda is
presently employed by the York
County Agriculture Extension
Service where she works with the
4-H program.
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earlier application
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wonner yourself. But take care not
to exceed the recommended
dosage or to stress an animal
unduly. Make sure that the
medicine is compatible with
pregnancy since some worm
medicines will abort goats. It’s
best to worm goats when they have
just recently freshened (had kids).
Milk from treated goats should not
be used for human consumption for
96 hours.
This is an excellent time to worm
goats because, with frost or snow
on pastures, there’s no chance of
Brenda Walters is Jr.
Simmental president
reinfection.
With the proper precautions to
avoid contamination and spread of
larvae and with the proper wor
ming medications, you can keep
infestations to a minimum.
Both Waterman and Haenlem
agree that worming pays. With
fewer worms there will be less
stress on the goat’s system. As
owner you’ll benefit, too. Your goat
will do its job better - whether that
job is producmg milk or mowing
the lawn.
Popp, secretary;
Bowles, treasurer.
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and Leßoy