Appetite loss

Coccidiosis:
Coccidia parasites. A disease of young or stressed animals.

Symptoms:
Off food, diarrhea, blood in  diarrhea, rapid weight loss, dehydration, may show straining in attempts to
pass feces, dehydration and fever.

Treatment 1:
You can treat easily with Biosol. Depending on weight.
Give 2-5cc to kids. 7-10 cc to adults orally once a day for 5-7 days.

Treatment 2:
Corid liquid. We mix half Corid and half water and drench with 1cc per 4 lbs for 5 days. Do not mix more
than you will use in 3 days.
 

Enterotoxaemia:
(overeaters disease) Clostridium perfringens type D bacteria produce the poisons responsible, when
conditions in the digestive tract deprive them of oxygen.

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

Treatment 1:
The prognosis for recovery is guarded in Caprine enterotoxemia, even with treatment. Fluid therapy 
providing mixed electrolyte solution with bicarbonate are indicate in acute cases to counter shock,
dehydration an acidosis.
Commercially available type C and D antitoxins should be administered. Antibiotic therapy may be
helpful in reducing bacterial proliferation. Oral sulfas have been used successfully.

Prevention:
CD/T Vaccine.
2cc. SQ. and come back 1 month later and give 2cc. SQ. Then Annually.

Indigestion:
Failure of normal rumenal movement. Associated with high intake of concentrate foodstuffs.

Symptoms:
Off of food, slightly dull.

Treatment:
Generally recovers within two days. Sodium bicarbonate given by mouth may be of some use if
there is a tendency to acid conditions in the rumen. Offer animal a quart of salt water with 25 g
of sodium bicarbonate dissolved in it.

Ketosis:
Lactating doe is unable to obtain large amounts of energy feed and Ketones accumulate in the
blood.

Symptoms:
Goes off food. Milk yield falls. Sweet smell in the goat’s breath.

Treatment:
A glucose or treacle drench may be given. Corticosteroid drug and oral propylene glycol.

Listeriosis:
Caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, found in soil, water, plant litter, silage and goat's
digestive tract.  Brought on by feeding silage, sudden changes in kind of feed, parasitism, dramatic
weather changes and advanced stages of pregnancy.

Symptoms:
Depression, decreased appetite, fever, leaning or stumbling or moving in one direction only, head pulled
to flank with rigid neck, facial paralysis on one side, slack jaw, and drooling, abortions.

Treatment:
Administration of Procaine penicillin every six hours for three to five days, then daily for an additional
seven days.

Mastitis:
Inflammation of the udder, almost always associated with germs.

Symptoms:
Misery, udder hot, hard and very tender, appetite lost, pupils of eyes narrowed to slits

Treatment:
Antibiotics, and supportive therapy.

Mastitis (gangrene):
Inflammation of the udder, almost always associated with germs.

Symptoms:
Bruised looking udder. Doe show signs of generalized illness: depression, fever or loss of appetite.
Gangrene mastitis should be suspect if the udder is cold, swollen with an excessive accumulation
of fluid  and the milk is watery or bloody.

Treatment:
CD antitoxin -7cc SQ
Poly Serum - 10cc SQ
10cc Penicillin SQ & 5cc IM,
Banamine - 1cc/100lbs IM

Follow with 10cc Penicillin SQ per day for 5 more days.

If you have Nuflor, give her 6cc/100lbs SQ first day, and 3cc/100 for at least 5 days more.

Seems excessive, but this type of Mastitis is a true emergency. You can spray the udder with Scarlet
oil as it sloughs, and it will clean up all by it's self. I have had does loose half of the udder, and they
never stop eating with this treatment. If you catch it fast enough, you may actually save the udder.

 

Pneumonia:
Infection of the lung.

Symptoms:
Refuses food, stands around hanging head down, sounds congested, elevated temperature, and
coughs and breathes rapidly or with difficulty.

Treatment:
Antibacterial drugs such as Oxytetracycline. May require veterinary-only drugs if severe.

Pregnancy Toxemia:
 A metabolic disease of does in late pregnancy. Most of the nutrition is going to the kids.
Similar to Ketosis. Ketosis is after birthing.

Symptoms:
Lethargy and losses of appetite over one to two weeks, generally in very late pregnancy.
Limping or swelling of feet. Laying around not wanting to get up. Sweet-smelling (ketotic) breath.
Ketosis strips can be used to identify if the doe is ketotic.

Treatment 1:
Give doe propylene glycol twice a day. We give 60cc drench in am and pm. We also create a
mixture of sodium bicarbonate with water and give 30cc drench am and pm. Help get the doe
up and moving around during the day and offering food.

Treatment 2: 
Give her 3 Tbs Calf Pac mixed with 100cc Revive and 100cc  water. Give the doe 200cc of Revive
every 2 hours, with Calf Pac in it. Also, once you get the doe awake, always give alfalfa, and corn
with the sweet feed. Give her at least 6-8 oz.  Magic at night to hold them.
 

Abscess (Knots)

CL- Caseous Lymphadenitis:
Infectious. Bacteria enters animal through break in skin or mucous membranes and localizes
in lymph node.

Symptoms:
Abscesses of the lymph glands. NOT ALL abscesses are CL. Your vet can test the animals to
see if the abscess is CL or not.

Treatments:
Isolate and remove animal from herd.  Abscesses can be lanced, remove discharge, and treated
with iodine for several times. Wear rubber gloves and destroy all discharge. Spread through the
eruption of abscess and discharge being exposed to other animals. Many breeders will get rid of
animals with CL. Some breeders treat and manage animals with CL. Vaccine available at
PHL Associates, Inc.
 

Infections
 

Back Arched

Colic:
Affect young kids when dietary changes are made. Mixing milk replacer at wrong concentration.

Symptoms:
Kid is restless, cries out and tends to stand either with its back arched or with its hind feet
places well back.

Treatment:
In mild cases the pain quickly passes and returns to normal within hours. If not.
˝ pint of vegetable oil for adults and less for kids followed by 1 glass of spirits in 2 glasses of
water, repeated hourly until pain stops.
 

Back legs stiff and unable to use

White Muscle Disease:
Deficiency of Vitamin E and Selenium

Symptoms:
Stiffness, weakness and trembling. Back legs become stiff and unable to use. Can result in death.

Treatment:
Administration of selenium, together with vitamin E.
 

Body Stretched with feet well behind

Colic:
Affect young kids when dietary changes are made. Mixing milk replacer at wrong concentration.

Symptoms:
Kid is restless, cries out and tends to stand either with its back arched or with its hind feet places
well back.

Treatment:
In mild cases the pain quickly passes and returns to normal within hours. If not.
˝ pint of vegetable oil for adults and less for kids followed by 1 glass of spirits in 2 glasses of
water, repeated hourly until pain stops.

Urinary Calculi  (Urolithiasis)-
A hard mass of mineral salts in the urinary tract caused by a dietary mineral imbalance, usually
in bucks.

Symptoms:
Restlessness, straining to urinate, pawing the ground, recurrent looking at its own abdomen,
vocal signs of pain.

Treatment 1:
3 Tablespoons of 4 way acid pack and 10cc of water. Mix well and drench. Repeat 4 or 5 times
a day,  Drench with very little water  until pee-ing again.

Most treatment must be done by veterinarians. Often requiring the removal of the tip of the penis.
Look at  the article on Urinary Calculi.
 

Breathing Congested

Pneumonia:
Infection of the lung.

Symptoms:
Refuses food, stands around hanging head down, sounds congested, elevated temperature,
and coughs and breathes rapidly or with difficulty.

Treatment:
Antibacterial drugs such as Oxytetracycline. May require veterinary-only drugs if severe.
 

breathing difficulty or rapidly

Acidosis:
Occurs after accidentally taking in large quantities of concentrate foodstuffs

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

Treatment:
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 veterinary as needed.
 

Respiratory problem:

Convulsions

Tetanus:
Infection of open wounds by the bacterium Clostridium tetani results in tetanus (lockjaw).

Symptoms:
A general increase in muscle stiffness is seen, causing an unsteady gait. Eyelid begins to extend over
the eye and animal looks "anxious". The symptoms get progressively worse and convulsions may occur.
 

The goat dies because it is unable to breathe.

Treatment:
Goats can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin and antisera, but response is poor.  The site of bacterial proliferation should be searched for and whenever possible, the wound or infection site should be opened to the air, debrided, flushed with hydrogen peroxide and infiltrated with penicillin. The area be infiltrated with tetanus antitoxin before the wound cleaning process is begun to reduce the chance that more pre-existing toxin will b absorbed during tissue manipulations.
 

Cough (chronic)

(CAE) Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis:
Virus. Infectious to others.

Symptoms:
Knees becomes enlarges, lameness, weight wasting, hard udder. Pneumonia, chronic cough.

Treatment:
Isolate and remove animal from herd. Cull.

Lungworms:
Worms inhabit the air passages and cause inflammation (parasite pneumonia).

Symptoms:
Chronic cough.

Treatment:
Drench with dewormers such as Ivomec.
 

Pneumonia:
Infection of the lung.

Symptoms:
Refuses food, stands around hanging head down, sounds congested, elevated temperature, and coughs and breathes rapidly or with difficulty.

Treatment:
Antibacterial drugs such as Oxytetracycline. May require veterinary-only drugs if severe.
 

Crying

Colic:
Affect young kids when dietary changes are made. Mixing milk replacer at wrong concentration.

Symptoms:
Kid is restless, cries out and tends to stand either with its back arched or with its hind feet places well back.

Treatment:
In mild cases the pain quickly passes and returns to normal within hours. If not.
˝ pint of vegetable oil for adults and less for kids followed by 1 glass of spirits in 2 glasses of water, repeated hourly until pain stops.
 

Mastitis:
Inflammation of the udder, almost always associated with germs.

Symptoms:
Misery, udder hot, hard and very tender, appetite lost, pupils of eyes narrowed to slits

Treatment:
Antibiotics, and supportive therapy.

Mastitis (gangrene):
Inflammation of the udder, almost always associated with germs.

Symptoms:
Bruised looking udder. Doe show signs of generalized illness: depression, fever or loss of appetite. Gangrene mastitis should be suspect if the udder is cold, swollen with an excessive accumulation of fluid  and the milk is watery or bloody.

Treatment:
CD antitoxin -7cc SQ
Poly Serum - 10cc SQ
10cc Penicillin SQ & 5cc IM,
Banamine - 1cc/100lbs IM

Follow with 10cc Penicillin SQ per day for 5 more days.

If you have Nuflor, give her 6cc/100lbs SQ first day, and 3cc/100 for at least 5 days more.

Seems excessive, but this type of Mastitis is a true emergency. You can spray the udder with Scarlet oil as it sloughs, and it will clean up all by it's self. I have had does loose half of the udder, and they never stop eating with this treatment. If you catch it fast enough, you may actually save the udder.

Urinary Calculi  (Urolithiasis)-
A hard mass of mineral salts in the urinary tract caused by a dietary mineral imbalance, usually in bucks.

Symptoms:
Restlessness, straining to urinate, pawing the ground, recurrent looking at its own abdomen, vocal signs of pain.

Treatment 1:
3 Tablespoons of 4 way acid pack and 10cc of water. Mix well and drench. Repeat 4 or 5 times a day,  Drench with very little water  until pee-ing again.

Most treatment must be done by veterinarians. Often requiring the removal of the tip of the penis. Look at  the article on Urinary Calculi.

White Muscle Disease:
Deficiency of Vitamin E and Selenium

Symptoms:
Stiffness, weakness and trembling. Back legs become stiff and unable to use. Can result in death.

Treatment:
Administration of selenium, together with vitamin E.
 

Depressed

Acidosis:
Occurs after accidentally taking in large quantities of concentrate foodstuffs

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

Treatment:
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 veterinary as needed.

Enterotoxaemia:
(overeaters disease) Clostridium perfringens type D bacteria produce the poisons responsible, when conditions in the digestive tract deprive them of oxygen.

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

Treatment 1:
The prognosis for recovery is guarded in Caprine enterotoxemia, even with treatment. Fluid therapy 
providing mixed electrolyte solution with bicarbonate are indicate in acute cases to counter shock, dehydration an acidosis.
Commercially available type C and D antitoxins should be administered. Antibiotic therapy may be helpful in reducing bacterial
proliferation. Oral sulfas have been used successfully.

Prevention:
CD/T Vaccine.
2cc. SQ. and come back 1 month later and give 2cc. SQ. Then Annual. 

Floppy Kid Syndrome:
Some people believe it is caused by too much rich milk and others believe that it is associated with e-coli.

Symptoms:
Newborn kids seem to do well for  a few days after birth then start to show depression and weakness of limbs that progress to flaccid paralysis. Drunken appearance. No signs of diarrhea or elevated temperature. Possible distension of the abdomen.

Treatment 1:
Remove kid from source of Milk immediately for 24 to 36 hours. Dissolve a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in a glass of water. With a syringe administer between 20 and 50 cc of the solution orally. Do it slowly so the kid has time to swallow. Repeat the treatment at 1, 3, 6, 12 hours from initial treatment. Feed electrolytes as alternative until returned to milk. Also administer a wide spectrum antibiotic to prevent secondary bacterial infections.

Treatment 2:
One-half tsp baking soda, mixed with electrolytes and one-half teaspoon Pepto-Bismol.
 Repeat in 6-12 hours.  Not required to pull from mother's milk from this solution's perspective

Treatment 3:
 If the kid can still walk but is wobbly then give  2cc long-acting penicillin orally and 500MG thiamin. The Thiamin is mixed with the penicillin, and is imperative to recovery This should work in 6 hours. If the kid is comatose, give 5CC %50 dextrose orally and keep warm. Give the pen and thiamin for 3 days once a day.

Listeriosis:
Caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, found in soil, water, plant litter, silage and goat's digestive tract.  Brought on by feeding silage, sudden changes in kind of feed, parasitism, dramatic weather changes and advanced stages of pregnancy.

Symptoms:
Depression, decreased appetite, fever, leaning or stumbling or moving in one direction only, head pulled to flank with rigid neck, facial paralysis on one side, slack jaw, and drooling, abortions.

Treatment:
Administration of Procaine penicillin every six hours for three to five days, then daily for an additional seven days.
 

Respiratory problems
 

Polio encephalomalcia (Goat Polio):
A Thiamine (Vitamin B 1) deficiency. From improper feeding, particularly feeding too much grain and too little roughage.

Symptoms:
Excitability, "stargazing", muscle rigidity, uncoordinated staggering and/or weaving, drunkenness, circling, diarrhea, muscle tremor, head against wall,  and apparent blindness. A rapid, involuntary, oscillatory motion of the eyeball. As it progresses, convulsions and high fever may  occur, and if untreated, the animal generally dies within 24-72 hours.

Treatment:
Thiamine is the only effective therapy, and treatment can result in improvement in as little as two hours, if the disease is caught early enough. Dosage is related to body weight:  

Use 500mg/ml Thiamin. Start with a gram (1,000 mg) IM the first dose, then at least 500mg per day for as long as it takes for complete recovery. Give 10cc Penicillin orally, and 10cc SQ at first treatment. Polio can be caused by plant thiaminase, or bacteria that either inhibit production of thiamin in the goat's gut, or consume the thiamin. Since we don't know what the origin is, It is preferred to sterilize the gut, and start over. So, the oral penicillin will kill the bacteria if that is the cause. On the morning of day 2, calf pac the goat, and give 500mg Thiamin orally, and 500mg SQ. Do not repeat any of the penicillin. If the goat will eat, feed her. If she can't eat,  tube her or drench her with 100cc of Revive, 100cc of water several times a day until she can eat.
 

Retained kid after kidding
 

Tetanus:
Infection of open wounds by the bacterium Clostridium tetani results in tetanus (lockjaw).

Symptoms:
A general increase in muscle stiffness is seen, causing an unsteady gait. Eyelid begins to extend over the eye and animal looks "anxious". The symptoms get progressively worse and convulsions may occur. The goat dies because it is unable to breathe.

Treatment:
Goats can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin and antisera, but response is poor.  The site of bacterial proliferation should be searched for and whenever possible, the wound or infection site should be opened to the air, debrided, flushed with hydrogen peroxide and infiltrated with penicillin. The area be infiltrated with tetanus antitoxin before the wound cleaning process is begun to reduce the chance that more pre-existing toxin will b absorbed during tissue manipulations.
 

Diarrhea

Gastro-intestinal roundworms:
Infest stomach and intestines sucking blood or reducing the absorption of digested food materials from the gut.

Symptoms:
Diarrhea and weight loss, anemia.

Treatment:
Drench with dewormer medicine such as Ivomec, Cydectin. Make sure the worms are not resistant to your wormer.

Coccidiosis:
Coccidia parasites. A disease of young or stressed animals.

Symptoms:
Off food, diarrhea, blood in  diarrhea, rapid weight loss, dehydration, may show straining in attempts to pass feces, dehydration and fever.

Treatment 1:
You can treat easily with Biosol. Depending on weight.
Give 2-5cc to kids.
7-10 cc to adults orally once a day for 5-7 days.

Treatment 2:
Corid liquid. We mix half Corid and half water and drench with 1cc per 4 lbs for 5 days. Do not mix more than you will use in 3 days.

Enterotoxaemia:
(Overeaters disease) Clostridium perfringens type D bacteria produce the poisons responsible, when conditions in the digestive tract deprive them of oxygen.

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

Treatment 1:
The prognosis for recovery is guarded in Caprine enterotoxemia, even with treatment. Fluid therapy 
providing mixed electrolyte solution with bicarbonate are indicate in acute cases to counter shock, dehydration an acidosis.
Commercially available type C and D antitoxins should be administered. Antibiotic therapy may be helpful in reducing bacterial
proliferation. Oral sulfas have been used successfully.

Prevention:
CD/T Vaccine.
2cc. SQ. and come back 1 month later and give 2cc. SQ. Then Annual.

Johne’s Disease:
Chronic incurable infection of the intestines by Mycobacterium johnei bacterium. Causes a thickening of the intestine,

Symptoms:
Loss of condition, occasional scouring, becoming more frequent with bubbles of gas in the droppings. Weakness. Thirst may increase.

Treatment:
0None. Slaughter animal as soon as possible to prevent spread to other animals.

Polioencephalomalcia (Goat Polio):
A Thiamine (Vitamin B 1) deficiency. From improper feeding, particularly feeding too much grain and too little roughage.

Symptoms:
Excitability, "stargazing", muscle rigidity, uncoordinated staggering and/or weaving, drunkenness, circling, diarrhea, muscle tremor, head against wall,  and apparent blindness. A rapid, involuntary, oscillatory motion of the eyeball. As it progresses, convulsions and high fever may  occur, and if untreated, the animal generally dies within 24-72 hours.

Treatment:
Thiamine is the only effective therapy, and treatment can result in improvement in as little as two hours, if the disease is caught early enough. Dosage is related to body weight:  

Use 500mg/ml Thiamin. Start with a gram (1,000 mg) IM the first dose, then at least 500mg per day for as long as it takes for complete recovery. Give 10cc Penicillin orally, and 10cc SQ at first treatment. Polio can be caused by plant thiaminase, or bacteria that either inhibit production of thiamin in the goat's gut, or consume the thiamin. Since we don't know what the origin is, It is preferred to sterilize the gut, and start over. So, the oral penicillin will kill the bacteria if that is the cause. On the morning of day 2, calf pac the goat, and give 500mg Thiamin orally, and 500mg SQ. Do not repeat any of the penicillin. If the goat will eat, feed her. If she can't eat,  tube her or drench her with 100cc of Revive, 100cc of water several times a day until she can eat.
 

Trace mineral deficiency
 

Drooling or Salivate Excessively

Foot & Mouth Disease:
Viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals.

Symptoms:
Foot Blisters or vesicles form in any of the following places: lips, tongue, teats, or the coronary band of the hoof. Tend to become lame and possibly salivate excessively. Rot.

Treatment:
Must be controlled from occurring. Animals exposed to the disease are destroyed.

Listeriosis:
Caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, found in soil, water, plant litter, silage and goat's digestive tract.  Brought on by feeding silage, sudden changes in kind of feed, parasitism, dramatic weather changes and advanced stages of pregnancy.

Symptoms:
Depression, decreased appetite, fever, leaning or stumbling or moving in one direction only, head pulled to flank with rigid neck, facial paralysis on one side, slack jaw, and drooling, abortions.

Treatment:
Administration of Procaine penicillin every six hours for three to five days, then daily for an additional seven days.

Mycotoxin poisoning:
Myco means fungus and toxin means poison" - a poisoning of an animal from a fungus growth normally in old hay or feed.

Symptoms:
Excessive salivation, depression, anorexia, convulsions, arched back.

Treatment:
Varies according to the source of problem. Remove the "bad" feed or hay from the animals immediately. Administration of activated charcoal may inhibit additional uptake of toxin from the gut. Mineral oil may help.
 

Drunken Behavior or Stumbling

Acidosis:
Occurs after accidentally taking in large quantities of concentrate foodstuffs

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

Treatment:
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 veterinary as needed.

Enterotoxaemia:
(Overeaters disease) Clostridium perfringens type D bacteria produce the poisons responsible, when conditions in the digestive tract deprive them of oxygen.

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

Treatment 1:
The prognosis for recovery is guarded in caprine enterotoxemia, even with treatment. Fluid therapy 
providing mixed electrolyte solution with bicarbonate are indicate in acute cases to counter shock, dehydration an acidosis.
Commercially available type C and D antitoxins should be administered. Antibiotic therapy may be helpful in reducing bacterial
proliferation. Oral sulfas have been used successfully..

Prevention:
CD/T Vaccine.
2cc. SQ. and come back 1 month later and give 2cc. SQ. Then Annual.

Floppy Kid Syndrome:
Some people believe it is caused by too much rich milk and others believe that it is associated with e-coli.

Symptoms:
Newborn kids seem to do well for  a few days after birth then start to show depression and weakness of limbs that progress to flaccid paralysis. Drunken appearance. No signs of diarrhea or elevated temperature. Possible distension of the abdomen.

Treatment 1:
Remove kid from source of Milk immediately for 24 to 36 hours. Dissolve a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in a glass of water. With a syringe administer between 20 and 50 cc of the solution orally. Do it slowly so the kid has time to swallow. Repeat the treatment at 1, 3, 6, 12 hours from initial treatment. Feed electrolytes as alternative until returned to milk. Also administer a wide spectrum antibiotic to prevent secondary bacterial infections.

Treatment 2:
One-half tsp baking soda, mixed with electrolytes and one-half teaspoon Pepto-Bismol.
 Repeat in 6-12 hours.  Not required to pull from mother's milk from this solution's perspective

Treatment 3:
If the kid can still walk but is wobbly then give  2cc long-acting penicillin orally and 500MG thiamin. The Thiamin is mixed with the penicillin, and is imperative to recovery This should work in 6 hours. If the kid is comatose, give 5CC %50 dextrose orally and keep warm. Give the pen and thiamin for 3 days once a day.

Listeriosis:
Caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, found in soil, water, plant litter, silage and goat's digestive tract.  Brought on by feeding silage, sudden changes in kind of feed, parasitism, dramatic weather changes and advanced stages of pregnancy.

Symptoms:
Depression, decreased appetite, fever, leaning or stumbling or moving in one direction only, head pulled to flank with rigid neck, facial paralysis on one side, slack jaw, and drooling, abortions.

Treatment:
Administration of Procaine penicillin every six hours for three to five days, then daily for an additional seven days.

Polioencephalomalcia (Goat Polio):
A Thiamine (Vitamin B 1) deficiency. From improper feeding, particularly feeding too much grain and too little roughage.

Symptoms:
Excitability, "stargazing", muscle rigidity, uncoordinated staggering and/or weaving, drunkenness, circling, diarrhea, muscle tremor, head against wall,  and apparent blindness. A rapid, involuntary, oscillatory motion of the eyeball. As it progresses, convulsions and high fever may  occur, and if untreated, the animal generally dies within 24-72 hours.

Treatment:
Thiamine is the only effective therapy, and treatment can result in improvement in as little as two hours, if the disease is caught early enough. Dosage is related to body weight:  

Use 500mg/ml Thiamin. Start with a gram (1,000 mg) IM the first dose, then at least 500mg per day for as long as it takes for complete recovery. Give 10cc Penicillin orally, and 10cc SQ at first treatment. Polio can be caused by plant thiaminase, or bacteria that either inhibit production of thiamin in the goat's gut, or consume the thiamin. Since we don't know what the origin is, It is preferred to sterilize the gut, and start over. So, the oral penicillin will kill the bacteria if that is the cause. On the morning of day 2, calf pac the goat, and give 500mg Thiamin orally, and 500mg SQ. Do not repeat any of the penicillin. If the goat will eat, feed her. If she can't eat,  tube her or drench her with 100cc of Revive, 100cc of water several times a day until she can eat.

Tetanus:
Infection of open wounds by the bacterium Clostridium tetani results in tetanus (lockjaw).

Symptoms:
A general increase in muscle stiffness is seen, causing an unsteady gait. Eyelid begins to extend over the eye and animal looks "anxious". The symptoms get progressively worse and convulsions may occur. The goat dies because it is unable to breathe.

Treatment:
Goats can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin and antisera, but response is poor.  The site of bacterial proliferation should be searched for and whenever possible, the wound or infection site should be opened to the air, debrided, flushed with hydrogen peroxide and infiltrated with penicillin. The area be infiltrated with tetanus antitoxin before the wound cleaning process is begun to reduce the chance that more pre-existing toxin will b absorbed during tissue manipulations.
 

Eyelid begins to extend over the eye

Tetanus:
Infection of open wounds by the bacterium Clostridium tetani results in tetanus (lockjaw).

Symptoms:
A general increase in muscle stiffness is seen, causing an unsteady gait. Eyelid begins to extend over the eye and animal looks "anxious". The symptoms get progressively worse and convulsions may occur. The goat dies because it is unable to breathe.

Treatment:
Goats can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin and antisera, but response is poor.  The site of bacterial proliferation should be searched for and whenever possible, the wound or infection site should be opened to the air, debrided, flushed with hydrogen peroxide and infiltrated with penicillin. The area be infiltrated with tetanus antitoxin before the wound cleaning process is begun to reduce the chance that more pre-existing toxin will b absorbed during tissue manipulations.
 

Eye closed and watery

Pinkeye:
Infection of the eye spread by agents such as flies, dust and long grass.

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

Treatment 1:
Pink Eye spray: 
10cc of 100mg/ml Gentamycin 
10cc 2mg/ml Dexamethasone 
10cc distilled water, or sterile water.
Take a small travel size hair spray bottle (clean of course) to your vet, and have him mix it for you.
Gentamycin is not approved for food animals except in the topical form. Eye treatment is considered topical.

Keep it in the refrigerator when it is not in use, and keep it out of the sun, or it looses efficacy.  I have a dark brown glass spray bottle I put it in. 

Treatment 2:
Flush eyes with 1 cc of penicillin or Oxytetracycline for several days. Isolate animal from others to keep it from spreading.
 

Fever

Coccidiosis:
Coccidia parasites. A disease of young or stressed animals.

Symptoms:
Off food, diarrhea, blood in  diarrhea, rapid weight loss, dehydration, may show straining in attempts to pass feces, dehydration and fever.

Treatment 1:

You can treat easily with Biosol. Depending on weight.
Give 2-5cc to kids.
7-10 cc to adults orally once a day for 5-7 days.

Treatment 2:
Corid liquid. We mix half Corid and half water and drench with 1cc per 4 lbs for 5 days. Do not mix more than you will use in 3 days.

 

Enterotoxaemia:
(overeaters disease) Clostridium perfringens type D bacteria produce the poisons responsible, when conditions in the digestive tract deprive them of oxygen.

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

Treatment 1:
The prognosis for recovery is guarded in Caprine enterotoxemia, even with treatment. Fluid therapy 
providing mixed electrolyte solution with bicarbonate are indicate in acute cases to counter shock, dehydration an acidosis.
Commercially available type C and D antitoxins should be administered. Antibiotic therapy may be helpful in reducing bacterial
proliferation. Oral sulfas have been used successfully.

Prevention:
CD/T Vaccine.
2cc. SQ. and come back 1 month later and give 2cc. SQ. Then Annual.

Infection
 

Listeriosis:
Caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, found in soil, water, plant litter, silage and goat's digestive tract.  Brought on by feeding silage, sudden changes in kind of feed, parasitism, dramatic weather changes and advanced stages of pregnancy.

Symptoms:
Depression, decreased appetite, fever, leaning or stumbling or moving in one direction only, head pulled to flank with rigid neck, facial paralysis on one side, slack jaw, and drooling, abortions.

Treatment:
Administration of Procaine penicillin every six hours for three to five days, then daily for an additional seven days.

Polioencephalomalcia (Goat Polio):
A Thiamine (Vitamin B 1) deficiency. From improper feeding, particularly feeding too much grain and too little roughage.

Symptoms:
Excitability, "stargazing", muscle rigidity, uncoordinated staggering and/or weaving, drunkenness, circling, diarrhea, muscle tremor, head against wall,  and apparent blindness. A rapid, involuntary, oscillatory motion of the eyeball. As it progresses, convulsions and high fever may  occur, and if untreated, the animal generally dies within 24-72 hours.

Treatment:
Thiamine is the only effective therapy, and treatment can result in improvement in as little as two hours, if the disease is caught early enough. Dosage is related to body weight:  

Use 500mg/ml Thiamin. Start with a gram (1,000 mg) IM the first dose, then at least 500mg per day for as long as it takes for complete recovery. Give 10cc Penicillin orally, and 10cc SQ at first treatment. Polio can be caused by plant thiaminase, or bacteria that either inhibit production of thiamin in the goat's gut, or consume the thiamin. Since we don't know what the origin is, It is preferred to sterilize the gut, and start over. So, the oral penicillin will kill the bacteria if that is the cause. On the morning of day 2, calf pac the goat, and give 500mg Thiamin orally, and 500mg SQ. Do not repeat any of the penicillin. If the goat will eat, feed her. If she can't eat,  tube her or drench her with 100cc of Revive, 100cc of water several times a day until she can eat.

 

Respiratory problem

Foaming at the Mouth

Bloat:
Gorging on anything unsuitable such as wet grass pastures or after raiding food bin.

Symptoms:
Tightly inflated flanks, misery, collapse.

Treatment 1:
15cc Pepto-Bismol
5cc Penicillin orally
5cc SQ Penicillin
5-7cc CD antitoxin SQ

Hair Loss

Ringworms:
Fungal condition

Symptoms;
Grey-white crusty appearance on small areas of skin. Skin is usually thickened and the hairs thin or absent. Generally no itching or evidence of irritation. Enlargement of affected areas occurs.

Treatment:
Fungicidal preparations applied as a liquid dressing. Any of the following daily for five days and then weekly:
0.5% Lime sulphur
1:10 bleach
1:300 Captan
1% Betadine
 

Hanging of head

See Depressed

Hoof with foul smell

Foot Rot:
Fusiformis nodosus infection enters the hoof and causes inflammation of the sensitive laminae.

Symptoms:
Lameness, mild to severe. There is a foul smell associated with it. Animals are reluctant to walk.

Treatment:
Hoof paring in order to remove the underrun hoof. Apply antiseptic agents in order to remove any infection.
 

Itching - Irritation

Lice:
Parasite

Symptoms:
Intense irritation, rubbing, bald patches and itching, usually during the winter months

Treatment:
Louse powder will normally control the problem. Insecticides for spray or dip repeated.tment:

Mange, Chorioptic:
Chorioptes caprae infest the skin of the lower leg.

Symptoms:
Itchiness may be noticed and there may be small crusty scabs.

Treatments:

Mange, Psoroptic:
Psoroptes caprae which infests the ears.

Symptoms:
Small lumps are noticed in the skin. They may be like a cyst or bag of fluid.

Treatments:
Response to treatment is generally poor. Discuss with your veterinary.

Mange, Demodectic:
Demodex caprae invade the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the skin.

Symptoms:
May cause head-shaking and scratching.

Treatments:
Gamma benzene hexachloride and gammexane can be used.

Mange, Sarcoptic:
Saroptes scabei burrow in the skin and lay their eggs in tunnels

Symptoms:
Terrible itching, Skin becomes raised, red and hairless round the eyes, ears and nose.

Treatments:
Infestation can be passed to other goats. Veterinary treatment is required.

Mites
 

Kidding  - past due-date

Dead kid

False pregnancy

Hypocalcaemia

Retained kid

Ringwomb

Single large kid

Kid raw under tail

urine scald:
Some people put  I use any antibiotic cream I have on hand that I have for myself, one is a triple antibiotic ointment sold over the counter in any grocery store. It  Good luck..........aren't goats great? lol!!

Symptoms:
Holds tail down. Hairs on tail are pinkish from blood. Under tail is swollen and raw, kid is depressed sometimes. It looks terrible.

Treatment:
Antibiotic Cream, Destin or A&D ointment applied to infectioned area under the tail. I prefer to use an antibiotic cream or ointment since the skin is usually broken and I don't want any secondary infection to start. Clears up pretty fast, just a few days.
 

Lameness

(CAE) Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis
Virus. Infectious to others.

Symptoms:
Knees becomes enlarges, lameness, weight wasting, hard udder. Pneumonia, chronic cough.

Treatment:
Isolate and remove animal from herd. Cull.

Degenerative Arthritis
 

Foot & Mouth Disease:
Viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals.

Symptoms:
Foot Blisters or vesicles form in any of the following places: lips, tongue, teats, or the coronary band of the hoof. Tend to become lame and possibly salivate excessively. Rot.

Treatment:
Must be controlled from occurring. Animals exposed to the disease are destroyed.

 

Foreign object in hoof
 

Fracture, Soft tissue or joint damage
 

Injection damage to Sciatic or Peroneal nerves
 

Laminitis:
Inflammation of the skin layers around the hoof.  Often caused by consumption of a highly concentrated or lush forage diet. It may also be associated with sicknesses such as pneumonia, mastitis, and metritis.

Symptoms:
Lameness and warm feet. Moves with a stiff gait, prefers to lay down or stay on knees. May also show signs of bloat, diarrhea and toxemia

Treatment:
Place on a reduced protein/energy diet such as hay with a very reduced or not concentrate ration and soft bed for lying down. Pain relief with a Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Phenylbutazone is essential. Chronis cases need careful foot trimming to relieve pain by reducing pressure on the sensitive areas.
 

Overextension of the stifle and hock in young kids
 

Overgrown feet
 

Swollen feet from pregnancy (pregnancy toxemia):
A metabolic disease of does in late pregnancy. Most of the nutrition is going to the kids. Similar to Ketosis. Ketosis is after birthing.

Symptoms:
Lethargy and losses of appetite over one to two weeks, generally in very late pregnancy. Limping or swelling of feet. Laying around not wanting to get up. Sweet-smelling (ketotic) breath. Ketosis strips can be used to identify if the doe is ketotic.

Treatment 1:
Give doe propylene glycol twice a day. We give 60cc drench in am and pm. We also create a mixture of sodium bicarbonate with water and give 30cc drench am and pm. Help get the doe up and moving around during the day and offering food.

Treatment 2: 
Give her 3 Tbs Calf Pac mixed with 100cc Revive and 100cc  water. Give the doe 200cc of Revive every 2 hours, with Calf Pac in it. Also, once you get the doe awake, always give alfalfa, and corn with the sweet feed. Give her at least 6-8 oz.  Magic at night to hold them.

Weak pasterns
 

Foot Rot:
Fusiformis nodosus infection enters the hoof and causes inflammation of the sensitive laminae.

Symptoms:
Lameness, mild to severe. There is a foul smell associated with it. Animals are reluctant to walk.

Treatment:
Hoof paring in order to remove the under run hoof. Apply antiseptic agents in order to remove any infection.
 

Leg paralysis

Tetanus:
Infection of open wounds by the bacterium Clostridium tetani results in tetanus (lockjaw).

Symptoms:
A general increase in muscle stiffness is seen, causing an unsteady gait. Eyelid begins to extend over the eye and animal looks "anxious". The symptoms get progressively worse and convulsions may occur. The goat dies because it is unable to breathe.

Treatment:
Goats can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin and antisera, but response is poor.  The site of bacterial proliferation should be searched for and whenever possible, the wound or infection site should be opened to the air, debrided, flushed with hydrogen peroxide and infiltrated with penicillin. The area be infiltrated with tetanus antitoxin before the wound cleaning process is begun to reduce the chance that more pre-existing toxin will b absorbed during tissue manipulations.

Trace minerals deficiencies
 

White Muscle Disease:
Deficiency of Vitamin E and Selenium

Symptoms:
Stiffness, weakness and trembling. Back legs become stiff and unable to use. Can result in death.

Treatment:
Administration of selenium, together with vitamin E.
 

Looking at  its own abdomen

Urinary Calculi  (Urolithiasis)-
A hard mass of mineral salts in the urinary tract caused by a dietary mineral imbalance, usually in bucks.

Symptoms:
Restlessness, straining to urinate, pawing the ground, recurrent looking at its own abdomen, vocal signs of pain.

Treatment 1:
3 Tablespoons of 4 way acid pack and 10cc of water. Mix well and drench. Repeat 4 or 5 times a day,  Drench with very little water  until pee-ing again.

Most treatment must be done by veterinarians. Often requiring the removal of the tip of the penis. Look at  the article on Urinary Calculi.
 

Lying on side making paddling movements

Enterotoxaemia:
(Overeaters disease) Clostridium perfringens type D bacteria produce the poisons responsible, when conditions in the digestive tract deprive them of oxygen.

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

Treatment 1:
The prognosis for recovery is guarded in caprine enterotoxemia, even with treatment. Fluid therapy 
providing mixed electrolyte solution with bicarbonate are indicate in acute cases to counter shock, dehydration an acidosis.
Commercially available type C and D antitoxins should be administered. Antibiotic therapy may be helpful in reducing bacterial
proliferation. Oral sulfas have been used successfully.
 

Mouth covered with Sores

(Sore Mouth) – Contagious Pustular Dermatitis (ORF):
Highly infectious viral disease to animals and humans. ORF is the name for this in humans.

Symptoms:
Pimples about the nose, mouth, eyes, anus and hoofs. Turning to watery blisters, then to sticky and encrusted scabs. Swelling of mouth and gums. Will run a course of around three weeks. Animals can die if they are unable to eat or nurse because of the sore mouth.

Treatment:
Difficult. Dress with antibiotic spray or ointment. Isolate infected animals.  There is a Ovine Ecthyma Vaccine against sore mouth infection to all animals. Vaccine to infected animals may reduce the time to recover. 
We do not recommend vaccinating. We let the soremouth run its course of 3 weeks and doctor severe  cases. We use medication with Cephapirin Benzathine in it. Two brands are Cefa-Dri and Tomorrow.  CHX-Guard LA gel antibacterial agent adheres to the gums of infected animals.
 

Moving in one direction only

Listeriosis:
Caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, found in soil, water, plant litter, silage and goat's digestive tract.  Brought on by feeding silage, sudden changes in kind of feed, parasitism, dramatic weather changes and advanced stages of pregnancy.

Symptoms:
Depression, decreased appetite, fever, leaning or stumbling or moving in one direction only, head pulled to flank with rigid neck, facial paralysis on one side, slack jaw, and drooling, abortions.

Treatment:
Administration of Procaine penicillin every six hours for three to five days, then daily for an additional seven days.
 

Muscle Stiffness

Tetanus:
Infection of open wounds by the bacterium Clostridium tetani results in tetanus (lockjaw).

Symptoms:
A general increase in muscle stiffness is seen, causing an unsteady gait. Eyelid begins to extend over the eye and animal looks "anxious". The symptoms get progressively worse and convulsions may occur. The goat dies because it is unable to breathe.

Treatment:
Goats can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin and antisera, but response is poor.  The site of bacterial proliferation should be searched for and whenever possible, the wound or infection site should be opened to the air, debrided, flushed with hydrogen peroxide and infiltrated with penicillin. The area be infiltrated with tetanus antitoxin before the wound cleaning process is begun to reduce the chance that more pre-existing toxin will b absorbed during tissue manipulations.

White Muscle Disease:
Deficiency of Vitamin E and Selenium

Symptoms:
Stiffness, weakness and trembling. Back legs become stiff and unable to use. Can result in death.

Treatment:
Administration of selenium, together with vitamin E.
 

Navel Swollen

Navel Ill:
Dirty environments infecting the navel cord after birth

Symptoms:
Young kid with swollen, painful navel which may look red.

Treatment:
Antibiotic injections. Area around the navel should be cleaned with antiseptic iodine, crusty scabs removed by soaking and any pockets of pus drained.
 

Scabs

(Sore Mouth) – Contagious Pustular Dermatitis (ORF):
Highly infectious viral disease to animals and humans. ORF is the name for this in humans.

Symptoms:
Pimples about the nose, mouth, eyes, anus and hoofs. Turning to watery blisters, then to sticky and encrusted scabs. Swelling of mouth and gums. Will run a course of around three weeks. Animals can die if they are unable to eat or nurse because of the sore mouth.

Treatment:
Difficult. Dress with antibiotic spray or ointment. Isolate infected animals.  There is a Ovine Ecthyma Vaccine against sore mouth infection to all animals. Vaccine to infected animals may reduce the time to recover. 
We do not recommend vaccinating. We let the soremouth run its course of 3 weeks and doctor severe  cases. We use medication with Cephapirin Benzathine in it. Two brands are Cefa-Dri and Tomorrow.  CHX-Guard LA gel antibacterial agent adheres to the gums of infected animals.

Mange, Chorioptic:
Chorioptes caprae infest the skin of the lower leg.

Symptoms:
Itchiness may be noticed and there may be small crusty scabs.

Treatments:
 

Skin Bumps

Mange, Demodectic:
Demodex caprae invade the hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the skin.

Symptoms:
May cause head-shaking and scratching.

Treatments:
Gamma benzene hexachloride and gammexane can be used.
 

Straining to Urinate

Urinary Calculi  (Urolithiasis):
A hard mass of mineral salts in the urinary tract caused by a dietary mineral imbalance, usually in bucks.

Symptoms:
Restlessness, straining to urinate, pawing the ground, recurrent looking at its own abdomen, vocal signs of pain.

Treatment 1:
3 Tablespoons of 4 way acid pack and 10cc of water. Mix well and drench. Repeat 4 or 5 times a day,  Drench with very little water  until pee-ing again.

Most treatment must be done by veterinarians. Often requiring the removal of the tip of the penis. Look at  the article on Urinary Calculi.
 

Sudden Death