Goat diseases? Ew, gross!
I know. I shudder just thinking about it.
We’ve been really fortunate to have very few goat ailments here on the farm. Goats are actually really hardy animals and if given the right diet and environment, can live a long, healthy life.
What we don’t want is a sickly goat.
That’s why today I’m going to give ya’ll a lesson on goat diseases, signs & symptoms, how to test from home, and hopefully, how to avoid them all together.
Goats are incredibly fun to raise, even if sometimes you have one that isn’t too in love with you, as evidenced in the photo below.
Sheep will always have a special place in my heart because they love me no matter what.
Common Goat Diseases
Common Goat DiseasesBefore I start, I want to mention that although goat diseases should be taken seriously, this shouldn’t deter you from owning and raising goats. We test our herd once a year, and then make sure not to introduce new goats to the group unless they’ve already been tested. We haven’t had one case of a disease here on the farm and everybody’s happy and healthy right now. We practice pasture rotation, holistic farming, and good sanitation practices and then we test once a year for our peace of mind.
Below I’m going to list the common goat diseases along with the natural treatment we’d choose if our goats ever contracted them. We aren’t opposed to using antibiotics, but in many cases, there isn’t any other treatment and in my experience, goats respond very well to herbal remedies!
For all our goat herbal needs, we use Kat’s recommendations at Fir Meadows. She’s extremely knowledgeable and helpful! I talked to her before publishing this post and she gave me advice on herbal remedies for the following diseases.
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE)
This is a virus that turns into an awful arthritis. It affects the joints and can make them really swollen and painful. Because it’s hard to tell if a goat’s in pain, sometimes your goat will have this without ever really showing symptoms. Others might wobble when standing. CAE can also develop into a more serious neurological condition, with your goat showing signs of paralysis of the neck or legs. CAE is contracted from mother goat to baby via milk, so when CAE shows up in a goat, it’s a good idea to separate the babies right after birth and bottle feed. There isn’t a vaccination for CAE currently available.
Is Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) transmissible to humans? No.
Treatments for Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE): Natural treatments include separation from herd, and using herbal remedies like Lung Support Tincture or Extract, Udder Blast (mastitis), DCongest Salve (congested udders), and A-King Joint (knee inflammation, joint issues). There is currently no standard treatment other than to treat symptoms or put down your goat.
Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL)
This is a bacterial infection that can collect in the lymph nodes and spread to other organs. It can be contracted and spread by both goats & sheep. Your goat will become emaciated and seem to not be able to keep on weight. When this happens, you’ll want to rule out CL or worms/lice, which can also be a cause of weight loss. They will also reduce in milk production. CL is contracted by oral pathways, and if you know goats, you know they are constantly licking, chewing, and sniffing out their environment. There is a vaccination for CL available but needs to be administered by a vet as the goat & sheep vaccinations are different.
Is Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) transmissible to humans? Yes, but seldom or rarely happens.
Treatments for Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL): Natural treatments include separation from herd, and using natural herbal remedies like HerBiotic Salve (at any abscess site).
Paratuberculosis (Johne’s Disease)
Johne’s disease can be contracted by ANY ruminant animal, including goats. This bacteria resides in the lining of the intestines and causes the lining to thicken so the animal isn’t able to absorb nutrients. Symptoms of Johne’s disease includes pasty or soft stools, depression, labored breathing, or shedding of hair/wool. Johne’s disease can be transmitted by oral contraction or from mother to baby in utero or from milk.
Is Paratuberculosis (Johne’s Disease) transmissible to humans? There is a risk that humans can contract Johne’s disease, although the rates are extremely low. Still, caution is advised.
Treatments for Paratuberculosis (Johne’s Disease): There is currently no standard treatment other than herd separation, and practicing good sanitation practices such as keeping the stalls clean, especially during kidding. You can also use the natural remedy GI Soother
Brucellosis
Brucellosis is most often found in cattle, but can also be found in goats occasionally. Brucellosis usually is contracted by the male and he transmits it to the female during breeding. A common sign in males is swollen testicles. It most often causes abortion in the female around 4 months. This is why you need to be very careful if your goat aborts early because brucellosis can be contracted to humans from the human handling the afterbirth. Also, you can contract it from the milk, vaginal discharges, semen, and urine of goats. Brucellosis can also live on clothing for long periods, so it’s best to “sun” the items to eliminate it. Other treatments include antibiotics, but because this has to be done on a long-term basis, I’d put down any animal that had brucellosis.
Is Brucellosis transmissible to humans? Yes. Humans can contract it by being exposed to a goat’s birthing fluids or drinking contaminated milk. Read more about how brucellosis affects humans here.
Treatments for Brucellosis: Most recommendations are for a slaughter of the herd that is affected though there has been some success with strong antibiotic treatment. There are also some herbal remedies to try such as Heart Support Herb Mix, A-King Joint Support for inflammation, Fresh Start for liver support.
Q Fever (Coxiella)
Q Fever is a bacterial infection that occurs in many different species and can be contracted to humans. It can cause late-term abortions or sometimes you’ll have weak kids when they are born. This is a major concern for humans because Q Fever can be a life-threatening illness for us. Humans are likely to contract it from handling newborn kids, so it’s important to test for Q Fever each year before your doe gives birth.
Is Q Fever transmissible to humans? Yes. While some people don’t show symptoms at all, many experience (within 2-3 weeks of exposure) high fevers, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, & abdominal pain. Read more about how Q Fever affects humans here.
Treatments for Q Fever: There are some recommended practices you can implement on your farm so that you can avoid & control Q Fever. Also, be sure to try the following herbal remedies: (select based on organs affected) Fresh Start Herb Mix – liver support, Lung Support Tincture or Extract, A-King Joint Support (inflammation such as in the liver or heart), Mel-O – nervous system support.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is another infection that can cause abortions, and it’s also contracted to humans by touching newborn kids or any of the afterbirth. Toxoplasmosis is especially concerning for pregnant humans, as it can cause defects or abortion.
Is Toxoplasmosis transmissible to humans? Yes, and this is something you need to be cautious of especially if your goat aborts its fetus(es). You can read more about how toxoplasmosis affects humans here.
Treatments for Toxoplasmosis: At the present time, there isn’t a standard treatment or vaccines for goats. Prevention includes keeping the feed away from cats, as cats can often transmit the disease to goats. A good natural herbal remedy is GI Soother.
Chagas (Trypanosoma cruzi)
Chagas is a tropical parasitic disease that is transmitted by little protozoans. There can be an initial sign of swelling around the affected area, but some goats and even humans can be asymptomatic. There are antiparasitic treatments that have a higher chance of cure if taken early. It used to be a concern in only tropical or sub-tropical climates, but it has recently popped up in the US, so I thought it would be worth mentioning here:)
Is Chagas (Trypanosoma cruzi) transmissible to humans? Yes, but more often it is transmitted to dogs. Here’s some information on how chagas is transmitted to dogs as well as signs.
Treatments for Chagas (Trypanosoma cruzi): There is currently no treatment other than symptomatic treatment and herd separation. You can also try the herbal remedy DWorm A.
Scrapie
Scrapie is a fatal, neurological degenerative disease that primarily affects sheep, but goats can also become affected. It is transmitted through the herd after an affected sheep/goat gives birth and the birthing fluids are introduced to the herd in some way. Scrapie is really persistent, but doesn’t always go through the entire herd. The animal will begin to tremor and lose control of its head, neck, then extremities. Scrapie can only be confirmed by the microscopic examination of brain tissue, so if your goat is affected, it’s advised that she be put down, a test performed, then all other goats are watched closely for signs while a deep cleaning and sanitizing of the barn/stalls is done. Here is some more general info about Scrapie.
Is Scrapie transmissible to humans? No. (There is no evidence it has been transmitted)
Treatments for Scrapie: Natural herbal remedies include: There is no standard treatment, but it’s recommended that the rest of the herd be treated with A-King Joint Support for inflammation, Better Brain Herb Mix, Mel – O Herb Mix for nervous system support.
How to test for goat diseases from home
We do all our own goat testing with a simple blood draw and shipment to a goat lab. It’s actually easier than you think! Head over here to watch my video and instructions on how to draw blood from a goat.
You can have a perfectly happy & healthy herd of goats, as long as you make sure and take precautions. Testing for goat diseases will give you peace of mind so you can get back to enjoying and snuggling those adorable babies.
Hi DaNelle, I have two goats about a year and a half old. They recently haven’t been crazy about food and underneath there eyelids are white. Was just wandering if you had any idea what was going on.
Hi,
I’ve bought a UltraCruz copper bolus for kids, and it says do only use for kids, but do you think it’s a problem to use for adults? Do you have any experience with that?
Thanks
Hi Joseph-
I haven’t used the kid product for adults, but I am guessing it’s a 2g bolus, whereas the adult is a 4g bolus. I can’t recommend that you go against the manufacturers instructions, but if you are going to give it to an adult goat, you would need to double the dose. Do follow the dosing weight instructions and also know if your goat is actually copper deficient before administering. If you are still unsure you should contact the UltraCruz company or your veterinarian.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi. My pet goat showed signs of bloating 3 days back. He was finding it difficult to poop but he was peeing normally. But after some natural efforts like massaging and exercise, his bloating stopped. But the next day he refused to eat much. We fed him eloctrolytes and tried feeding some leaves but it appeared he was struggling in the mouth. He was also pooping waste( watery, smelly). We opened his mouth and saw that he had a white coating on his mouth, making it difficult for him to eat or digest. He also has a lot of saliva stored in his mouth probably because of the tongue, we assume. We have been feeding him fluids since 2 days. We also cleaned his tongue with rose water. Yesterday while cleaming, a chunk of the white coat came out but there were no visible signs of bleeding. We haven’t moved further. What should we do? The pooping is still watery but it is less frequent and occurs only 3-4 times a day.
Hi Shilpi-
I’m not quite sure what’s going on with your goat, but you need to take them to the veterinarian immediately. It sounds like he may have several issues going on and needs to be seen and treated by your vet.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi we are wondering how to wean our 2 month old goats they are a wether and doeling. We do not have an area we can put them in at our house so our best option is my friends farm where they can have a clean fresh stall, ( there are no worries of diseases transmitting ). Basically what I am asking is how do I wean how long do they get separated for ext…….
Thx
Cate
Hi Cate-
Some kids can be weaned for a couple months and not try to nurse, while other can be separated for a year and still try to nurse. It really depends on the doe and the kids.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Please respond quickly
My 5 month old goat is breathing very fast and with her mouth open she has had extreme cases of bloat before and it is only around 60 degrees out please help thx
Cate
Hi Cate-
Bloat and breathing issues are serious situations and require a veterinarian. Call your vet immediately.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi! My goat was ill almost two or three weeks ago. First i get her some home remedies and she was somewhat fit but then she became ill again and left eating anything. Then I go to vet, he told, she had got pneumonia and gave me some injections and some medicines . My goat get her health and started eating . But the problem is , she is not eating to her fill . For three days i have been giving her two panadols but no positive results . Plz tell me what to do ? What could be possible cure for it?
Hi Zari-
I am not sure why you are giving her the pain medicine at all. This is not a cure for pneumonia. Also, Panadol has acetaminophen in it and should never be given to goats.
It is probably making her sick and that is why she is not eating.
Talk to your vet about appropriate medications.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Sorry , I mistook it, i gave her febrol tablets . Should I not also gave her it too??
She is not having any of pneumonia symptoms like breathing difficulty, or fever or others etc. She is just not eating anything and her weight is losing day by day. I gave her a half wheat bread she ate it . And guavas , which she eat a little and left it .
I think she has an issue with her tongue that’s why she can’t eat.
Plz tell me if there are some goat tongue problems?
Kindly guide me some medicine for it. I live far away from city . Doctor is out of reach.
Hi Zari-
Again, I do not know why you are giving her pain medicine. Also, Febrol is acetaminophen and should NOT be given to goats.
You need to discuss the issues you are having with your goat with your current veterinarian (or find a new one, maybe online, while your current vet is unreachable) so she can be treated properly with goat appropriate medications.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
We have a male yearling goat that is contracting and scratching at the ground like in labor. The vet does not normally work with goats. Mostly cat, dog and horse. He has been on antibiotics and we gave ammonium citrate. He has a constant dribble of pee. and now will not get up. The vet wants to do an exploratory 600 dollar surgery if he does not get better in a week or we put him down. Any Ideas on how to help?
Hi Kyle-
Your goat may have urinary calculi. Here is more information on that: https://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/urinarycalculi06.html#:~:text=Urinary%20Calculi%2C%20often%20called%20%22Water,urination%20and%20breeding%20in%20males.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have a 2 week old ND goat. She is bottle fed but recently we have found a friend with a bore female who lets her nurse. After nursing a few times, she has started to lose a lot of fur on her head and on her back legs. She has been treated for lice and mites and is on probiotics. Our best guess for the cause has been increased levels of stress from feeding on the bore. She went to the vet a week ago and he said she was fine and didnt’t have coccidiosis or anything. Any other ideas for a cause and possibly treatment?
Hello-
If you have the vet checking on her she should be fine.
You may want to make sure she isn’t low on minerals such as copper, selenium, and thiamine.
Also make sure she is dewormed.
Best wishes for your goat!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have a Nigerian dwarf goat that is almost 11 months old. I got her at a day old and bottle fed her for months. She couldn’t walk when I got her but she got a BoSe shot and was able to walk properly when she was a month old. She used to weight 35.6 pounds but dropped down to 32 pounds last week and had diarrhea. I took her to the vet. The vet tested her for worms and said she didn’t have any. She gave me probiotics which helped her poop but I weighed her and now she only weighs 29.4 pounds ? I’m going to take her back to the vet if she hasn’t gained any weight back by tomorrow morning. Do you have any idea what this could be? Also, is 35.6 pounds a normal weight for a Nigerian goat that is almost 11 months old?
Hi Sybil-
Yes, ND does at 11 months can weigh about 35# – 50#.
Besides various types of worms, coccidiosis and improper feeding of grains or low quality grass/hay can cause weight loss.
The vet will know best how to treat your goat.
Best wishes!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
We also have a new born Nigerian Dwarf and he is 8 days old and on bottle feeding. He has never stood up and does have some strength in read legs as he pushes himself short distances. The front legs very weak. He has had a bo-ce shot and antibiotic but nothing happening. What kind of therapy do we need to do and will it help his situation and how much time . He eats good and seems healthy otherwise.
Hi Eddie-
The BoSe shot will take 2-3 days to help. You can also work on helping him stand up 5-6 times a day to build strength in his legs as his ligaments and tendons might just not be fully developed yet.
If the symptoms continue beyond a couple days you should call the vet as there may be something more serious going on.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi Ashar-
It sounds like your goat may have goat polio, which is a deficiency in thiamine, and something that must be treated immediately.
This article talks about the causes, symptoms, and treatment for the disease: https://www.canr.msu.edu/sheep_goats/health/polioencephalomalacia
You will need to treat your goat immediately or it can die. Take it to the veterinarian to get a correct diagnosis and to have it treated it appropriately.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
hi, my goat is almost about 2 month 2 day ago I found her in very bad condition her all limbs are stretched and her head also stretch towards back. the hind limbs have no movement. she had Convulsion. she is in pain. what should I do?
Please my goat is sick
It once looked like it had froth bloat because it was swelled up and it was foaming in the mouth a bit so i massaged the belly and gave it groundnut oil then later on it came back to normal size but with total loss of appetite and watery waste
Please help she is skinny now and she recently gave birth
Hi Bobo-
It is possible your goat has frothy bloat or may eaten something poisonous. You need to contact your veterinarian immediately to treat her for either of those or to find out exactly what is wrong. In the meantime keep your goat dry and warm and allow her to have plenty of fresh water.
Best wishes for you goat.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi. Similar thing happened to my goat and we are very concerned. In addition, he has blisters in his tongue so he isn’t eating anything. Please help. The vet is isn’t available at the moment.
Hello Rituparna-
It sounds like your goat my have sore mouth disease. A veterinarian’s diagnosis is best to be sure of what you are actually dealing with.
There is no real treatment except offering soft foods (as it is difficult for them to eat) and possible antibiotics if a secondary infection occurs.
These two articles can give you more information on the disease: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/cms/life-out-here/the-barn/animal-medication-for-goats/goat-health-conditions-and-sore-mouth
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/controlling-sore-mouth-in-meat-goats
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello DaNelle…..We love your videos and posts.My 19 year old daughter had her goat tested from a lab you had recommended,PavLab.We were told the first testing,that it was an uncertain result for brucellosis…Then the second test result was positive.We didn’t see if the male goat that we had her bred with,was ever tested for this.She had two female kids and all seem healthy.We didn’t drink any of the milk until test results and now know that she tested positive.The mother does have some lumps on her stomach.My question is this…should we have her tested again through another lab? Also,should we put her down and her kids,thinking that they may have it because they drink her milk?We don’t have a vet in our area[small town] where they treat or look at goats,only cats and dogs.They had even told us that we really shouldn’t get them tested…good thing we didn’t listen to them.We are all feeling really sad and discouraged.Can you give any advice? We’d really appreciate it at this time.
Hi Tammy-
Your best option is to talk to your county agriculture extension agent and also your state’s department of agriculture to know what the best and proper protocol would be.
With certain diseases there are measures, precautions, and notifications that need to be followed and done.
Best wishes for your goat herd.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
We’re hoping you may have some insight for us because everyone we have consulted around here is at a loss. We have two Nigerian Dwarf sisters, just turned one years old, bottle-fed because their mom rejected them. Almost a week ago, both of them started to have twitchy legs. They stamp and jump, and when the twitching gets bad they run and hide. Strange part is they are fine in the mornings and evenings. The sunlight seems to make it worse. They eat normally (nominal bit of grain in am & pm, with free range of hay and grass), though they don’t eat a lot during the day if they are hiding. Vet checked and saw no signs of lice or fleas. skin is normal, no burns or abrasions, so missing patches of fur, no ear mites. One had soft stools but appears to be she ate too much rich grass and is being treated. We’re getting an electrician in to see if we have stray voltage (though no other animal breed here seems to be bothered) and no research on the internet can be found for something that sounds similar to what our girls are going through. It’s so painful to watch them, as it looks like they are being shocked regardless of what they are standing on. Then by 6 pm they are back to normal grazing and playing, and we think they are going to be okay. Fine in the morning, too, until 8 or 9, or when the sky brightens. Any thoughts you might have would be so appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Kelli-
I am not sure what your goats are dealing with. If they do not have lice, and there isn’t anything shocking them, perhaps they are still being bitten by small insects that are more prevalent when the sun is out such as biting midges.
I would keep working with your vet to see what the issue is. In the meantime you can try putting some neem oil on your goats’ legs and see if that helps (if it is a biting insect).
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
My ND are doing the exact same thing. They appear like they are getting bitten on their feet and legs, jump and hop around…but are fine when they are off the grass/ straw. I’ve done everything to find the problem- short of injecting ivermectin for mites. I will try the neem oil. Thank you for the information…I pray it works.
This is a late comment but have you given your goats a CAE rest? I had a young goat who started to have tremors in back legs at around 7 months. I didn’t know the tremors was CAE until 3 years later
Hi I just pulled 2 kids off of their mom last night. One had already been bottle fed as they were triplets and mom only claimed two. I had noticed some lice on two older kids, so I wormed them all last night as well. This morning the two kids I pulled to bottle feed are very weak, shivering and not wanting to eat. I have given some milk through a syringe. I’ve read that sometimes worming and stress can cause a thiamine deficiency. Does this sound right? I think I am going to call my vet and get some thiamine and see if that helps them. What do you think?
Hi Jenna-
I don’t know if stress and deworming causes a thiamine deficiency, but usually incomplete or inadequate feed will, even while in the womb. Since the goats are suffering from parasites they may be anemic. They could also be suffering from several other diseases due to thiamine, selenium, and/or Vitamin E deficiency. If the doe was not vaccinated for CD&T this could be an issue, or something all together different.
You do need to call the vet immediately so they can diagnosis the problem and give proper treatment.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hey I had two kids and one died and the other one is starting to do what the other one was doing. What do they have if they are coughing and wont want to take there bottle and when they just don’t wanna move. And she shivers but she is right under a heat lamp?
Hi Tiana-
Your goats may not be getting enough to eat and are getting weak and have dropping body temperatures (weak kid syndrome).
You need to call your vet immediately so they can assist you in getting food in them and also checking for other serious illnesses.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
We have a six day old kid born #13 that refuses to eat…bottle fed. We have tried several nipples. Given IV’s for fluid replacement etc. is 11# now. Not weak. Any suggestions.
Hi Nancy-
Here are some different things you can try that might work:
When you give the goat the bottle try holding it and covering its eyes. Sometimes this calms them and they will eat. Also gently tap the tail to mimic what the mama goat does when they nurse.
To be on the safe side check the baby for any mouth abnormalities that may prevent sucking.
You can try putting a little molasses on the nipple to make it sweet so they will suck.
If they still won’t eat you can use a syringe and slowly and carefully give milk this way. Or is all else fails run a tube into the stomach. However be extremely cautious not to damage the throat, etc. or give too much at one time. Know this is very stressful for the goat so keep trying the bottle. Usually a baby’s gets hungry enough to eat.
Good luck with your little goat.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi, We have 5 kids 2 of which are still feeding off mum sometimes and 3 that had to be bottle fed. They are all about 4 months old now ,but I just noticed that the 3 that were bottle fed have had their horns go black and the horns have a soft outer and flaking, where the other 2 kids have healthy looking horns. Any ideas. Kind Regards Simon.
Hi Simon-
It sounds like your goats may be lacking protein and/or some vital minerals. Here is DaNelle’s article on what minerals to give: https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
To increase protein give them high quality alfalfa and hay/grass if they are eating that or change to a higher protein milk replacer.
If you boost their mineral and protein profile and there is no improvement contact your vet.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi there! We just recently brought a doe with 2 babies approx 2 weeks old. The little girl is healthy and is your typical curious, cute, spastic, high energy, little goat. Her brother however is worrisome. He is tiny, stands in one place, walks stiff, he doesn’t really wobble, but he can run when he’s catching up to the herd. However he really doesn’t move around much and did I mention he is tiny!! Both are still drinking from mother but we are wondering if we should pull the little guy and bottle feed. Any suggestions?
Hi Reese-
Your goat may be deficient in thiamine and/or selenium and this can cause stiffness and weakness. Give him (and the other goats) a dose of those and see if that helps. Talk your vet about the proper dosing amount.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello! I have a Myatonic that had triplets Tuesday. This is her second time kidding. We could tell one of the babies was being left for dead so we are bottle feeding it. Everyone else seems ok but I have a camera on them 24/7 and can see mama is acting strange.. not necessarilly sick, but strange. She’s not hovering as much as she did last time but she is cleaning the babies now and then. It’s hard to tell how often she’s feeding them, but often she just stands staring at the wall for periods of time and isn’t laying down much..she is eating. Am I over-reacting or ?
Hi Stephanie-
Your mama goat may be depleted in certain nutrients. She may be suffering from ketosis or from goat polio (thiamin deficiency). Give her a dose of thiamin (minimum dose of 10 mg/kg bodyweight) and also give her boost of nutrition as suggested in this article: https://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/ketosis.htm
If her symptoms don’t improve in a few days contact your vet.
Best of luck.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
My 8 month old goat has been vomiting green icky stuff all day and I am not sure what is wrong and what to do. Please help!!!
Hi Ashley
Most likely your goat got into something toxic. Take him to the vet immediately. This article can give you more info: https://thisnzlife.co.nz/goat-eats-something-toxic/
Best wishes for your goat. I hope he is ok.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi I have a baby goat3weeks old that is eating of the bottle . What I am concerned about is he is limping on both right front and back legs . I have him in his own pen away from the rest . Any suggestions ?
Hi Renae-
You need to examine your goat and check for injury and/or signs of illness, such as fever, diarrhea, extended rumen, swollen joints, etc. Your goat could have CAE, but will need to be tested for it. This article will give you more information lameness. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-goats/overview-of-lameness-in-goats
I would strongly advise that you have your goat seen by a veterinarian right away.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi,Danelle, please help my young goat has swollen on the head also hears has started drooping down.What could be the problem.
Hello-
Your goat may have Bluetongue virus. Here is more info on it: http://veterinaryhandbook.com.au/Diseases.aspx?diseasenameid=41
It would be best to contact your vet immediately.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Spook I have two female goats one has horns and she’s can get rough. Now I am not sure but I think my goat peed either blood or orange. She will not stop eating the dog food we usually have to wait till night time when they get put up to feed the dogs. I am not sure what to do help is definitely appreciated
Hi Ashley-
It sounds like your goat may be dehydrated, suffering from a urinary tract infection, having kidney issues, or maybe even just eating a lot of minerals. It would be best to see if she is running a fever and also to contact your vet to treat her. Keep her away from the dog food as the protein content in it may affect her kidneys and rumen.
Best of luck.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
My goats come into barn at night. They were all in in Am when I turn them out, but in evening when I brought them in I had 2 out of 23 (Doeling Group) did not want to eat. One went directly lay down. The other just stood back watching the others eat. They look bloated. I treated them for bloated. Next Am one look 75% better the one that had been laying down still was. I put everyone outside but her. At noon she passed twice a thick diarrhea again at 2 pm they by 4pm she died. No fever, cough, or runny nose, No prior sign of illness before this. I did notice she had a daze look kept her neck and head cocked to one side more like neurological issue. I am almost thinking a noxious weed? Any thoughts….
Hi Marva-
I am so sorry about your goat. Never easy to lose one of them. It’s hard to know what is wrong with a goat without seeing it, but the dazed look is a symptom of Goat Polio (caused by thiamine deficiency) and the rigid neck is a symptom of Listeriosis (caused by bacteria). Both can have diarrhea, but usually both have a fever, but not always. With no other signs of illness your goats may be overran with internal parasites making them anemic and weak (wanting to lay down) and cause diarrhea and a bloated look and even death. To know if parasites are the issue a fecal count should be done. You can treat the rest of your herd with deworming them and giving additional thiamine just in case. Listeriosis needs to be treated by a vet. There are many more things that could have affected your goats, including a toxic plant. To know for sure you can do a necropsy. It would be best to contact your vet and discuss this with them as some disease can run through a whole herd and are zoonotic. Also, if they can help determine it was a toxic plant it would be best to identify exactly which one so you can remove it from your pasture.
I hope that helps. Best wishes for you goats.
Thank you-Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
hey there,
really great to stumble upon your site. we have a small homestead in nova scotia, and this summer we acquired four doelings. they have been grazed on pasture all summer.
yesterday, one of them appeared drunk. i did some research, and called the vet, but her symptoms are vague. ..no diarrhea, she is still eating and drinking, she did seem gassy yesterday and was grinding her teeth and seemed to have digestive upset. . .we gave her probiotics, vit. c and b, fennel seeds and bulbs, and an anti poison solution of strong black tea, olive oil, baking soda and ginger. . .
today is day two. she still is wobbly on her feet, but is otherwise alert and normal. . .
we live remotely and i would prefer to try to treat her herbally if possible. we have a fair arsenal of herbs in the garden and cupboards. ..curious if you have any advice?
thanks for your time
lisa
Hi Lisa-
There are few things that can make a goat appear “drunk”. Acidosis, Enterotoxaemia, and Polio. With the grinding of teeth and lack of diarrhea, this sounds along the lines of Acidosis. To treat that, stop feeding her and give her a drench of baking soda (2-3 oz). Then reintroduce food slowly, with no grain given. If you suspect Polio though you can give her thiamine, as the deficiency of this is what causes it. But polio usually has diarrhea, “stargazing”, stumbling, rigid muscles, and circling associated with it. If you suspect Enterotoxaemia, know this is pretty serious and is best to talk with a vet. However, this usually has diarrhea, vocalization, and pawing at the stomach associated with it.
Since you gave her an anti-poison solution I am guessing you believe she ate something toxic. If she did, the tannins in the tea will help with the toxicity and the olive oil will sooth the stomach. You can also give her some milk of magnesia to soothe the stomach if you think she needs additional help with that.
I hope that helps. Best wishes for your goat.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
hi sir hoe are you sir i am fahid from pakistan i have started the goat farming for this i bought male kids of the age under 2 months and 3 to four five months but the kids under two months lived with me for the two months period what happend to all one by one unable to stand do not walk less eating food and death what could be the reason
Hi Muhammad-
They may have suffered from White Muscle Disease which is caused by a selenium deficiency. Goats need to be supplemented with minerals: https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
They may also have been overran by parasites and became anemic. Properly deworming goats is essential: https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
I hope that helps.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi,
We are new farmers. We started our farm a 1.5 ago.
I had a 1.5 year old Nigerian dwarf female. Always healthy. 2 days ago she was laying in a corner not getting up, but would get up to eat. We tried electrolytes over the last 2 days. This morning I went out to feed her and she was almost dead. We lost another baby to bloat a few months ago so I treated her for that with baking soda and water. Her temp was 95.6. Our vet suggested she had belly shock from bloat when I talked to her later. We offer them baking soda in a bucket in their house if they want it as well as goat minerals. She ended up passing away quickly. She went pee and poop minutes before she died and her belly wasn’t hard. I am at a loss as to what happened.
We had 2 baby goats with diarrhea the last few days and after talking to our vet she suggested deworming everyone.
I am curious how you keep you goats healthy. After loosing 2 and having 2 sick babies. I feel lost.
Hi Naomi-
It is never easy losing goats. It can be so disheartening.
Your goats could be overrun by parasites, even if you are on a deworming schedule. You should do a fecal count to check. If they are overrun by parasites they can appear bloated and have diarrhea, and also become anemic.
Diarrhea can also be caused by coccicidiosis, especially in younger goats.
To keep goats healthy, DaNelle follows this deworming protocol: https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
To keep their nutrition up, including proper minerals, this is how DaNelle feeds her goats: https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
Also, be sure your goats’ living area is clean, dry, and has plenty of fresh air and water. Ensure their hay is not moldy and be cautious of how much they graze if grass is lush and rich. That’s great you offer them baking soda, that can definitely help with bloat.
I hope that helps. Best of luck with your goats.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have a goat that went out to graze on Monday & had no problems that night she was distressed, the next day I noticed that she was acting odd. I figured out that she had lost sight. Temp was taken & read 40.3 went to vet & have given her shots temp has gone down & think some sight is back. She will not eat or drink. We have put food in her mouth & she spits it out. She has 2 mth old twins at the moment. Have you ever seen or heard of this?
Hi Kylie-
It sounds like your goat may have goat polio. Blindness is one of the symptoms. Thiamine is the treatment for polio. This article can give you more information on symptoms and treatment. https://www.canr.msu.edu/sheep_goats/health/polioencephalomalacia
Best of luck with your goat. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi could someone please tell me what do you dose goats with and how much and what is the best diet for them THANKS IN ADVANCE
Hi Aaron-
Here are tips on feeding your goats: https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
This article has a link to syringes you can use for vaccinating or treating your goats: https://www.weedemandreap.com/draw-blood-goat/
The amount you give them will determine on what you are administering and the age and weight of your goat.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi I had two goats I had them as pets they would be quit greedy goats but they would stand way back and not go in and eat until the sheep moved as they were in a field with sheep and I just assumed that they weren’t hungry but about a day or so one of them went up to the top of the field and lay down. It wouldn’t get up for more than 15 seconds before it laying down again it wouldn’t walk and it kept crying every time I went to lift it to bring it in it wouldn’t eat or drink what would be wrong with it because I don’t want the other goat to go the same way they got dosed for fluke and worm with the sheep.THANKS
Hi Aaron-
It’s difficult to know exactly what is wrong with your goat without seeing it and knowing the entire story. If you suspect nutritional deficiency it could be a lack of Selenium and Vitamin E. This results in White Muscle Disease (which is extremely painful and could be why your goat cries out). Or it could be severe copper deficiency, since goats need copper levels much above that of sheep (because copper becomes toxic to sheep). Also, the goat could have severe anemia, due to nutritional issues and parasite overload (even if they have been wormed). You will need to know what your goat’s temperature is. At this point it is crucial you call in a vet to examine your goat(s).
Best wishes for your goats.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi we have 3 goats and today one of them seemed extremely lethargic. Would not get up to eat but would drink if you held the water bowl down to him. We noticed super soft, bloody stools throughout the field. We are very concerned it could be coccidiosis based on the symptoms. This was a very quick onset and we are not sure what to do. We have a vet coming to check him out today. He is 5 and was completely asymptomatic the past 24 hours. We have no idea what could have caused thsi quick decline out of no where. Any imput you have would be great. We are worried about him.
Hi Marissa-
I am so sorry about your goat. Coccidiosis usually affects younger goats, but can sometimes affect older goats, especially if they are stressed or already sick. Bloody stools typically do mean coccidiosis. And the decline in health is rapid if they have it. It’s great your vet is coming out. You will need them to help treat your goat.
Here is a good article on the disease and some treatment and prevention info (including herbal methods): https://fiascofarm.com/goats/coccidiosis.htm
Until your vet gets there separate him from the herd and try to keep your goat comfortable and his area clean.
Best of luck.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello, i recently took in 2 goats….probably a month ago. They seemed to be healthy and fit in well with my others. This weekend I noticed that one of them looked as if their ears and up into the hair on head looked sunburnt and is peeling. Today I noticed what looks like hair missing from around eyes. Any thoughts on treatment and what this could be?
Hi Danna-
Hair loss and the scalded looking skin are usually caused by parasites or bacterial skin diseases. It could also possibly be ringworm or even a copper or zinc deficiency.
With the hair loss and the skin issues the goats should be seen by a vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. I hope that helps. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi I am a new goat owner for a little over a year I haven’t had any problems until this year I have lost 3nigerian dwarf 2 females 1 male they started staying behind the herd alone then becoming disoriented falling then getting down and not getting back up will not eat or drink eyes jumping n the dying I have another that looks like she is getting early symptoms of the same thing can you help me
Hi Cindy-
I’m really sorry about your goats. I can’t say exactly what’s wrong with them without seeing them, but there is a possibility that your goats may have Listeriosis or Goat Polio. If your goats do have one of these diseases you need to take this seriously and act quickly. Polio will need to be treated with thiamine doses and Listeriosis needs to be treated with doses of penicillin. It’s best to contact your vet and get your goats treated right away. These two articles will give you a better understanding of the diseases, including symptoms and treatment. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/listeriosis-in-your-herd
https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/ruminant_nutrition/Optional%20Reading%20Materials/Polio_Vlietstra.pdf
I hope this helps.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi I’m curious I also have a goat that became very sick started w what I thought was pneumonia so we have given nuflor and banamine and wormed him. He got over that but has not been able to regain strength in his front legs so he will crawl on his front knees. He has started eating and drinking good but if he falls down or lays all the way down he can’t get up. What could be wrong?
Hi Marsha-
I’m sorry your goat is sick and not doing as well as hoped.
Since you mentioned pneumonia and issues with walking, it made me think of CAE. This can be expressed in different forms including pneumonia and arthritis. Here is some information on CAE: http://veterinaryextension.colostate.edu/menu2/sm%20rum/caprine_arthritis_encephalitis.pdf
http://veterinaryextension.colostate.edu/menu2/sm%20rum/Pneumonia%20in%20Sheep%20and%20Goats%20final.pdf
You need to contact your vet to know for sure if this is what it is and what you can do to ease some of the symptoms your goat has if it is indeed CAE.
Also, if it does turn out to be CAE, this needs to be reported to your state’s agriculture department.
I hope this helps. Best wishes for your goat.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello, I had a yearing who died. Her symptoms were she had problems standing and would fall down. If you helped her up she would graze for long periods. I would look out and she would be back laying down. She did not have diarrhea or any other symptoms. She ate a lot. She got to the point where she could not stand up at all. Now her sister also has the same problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Rachel-
I’m sorry about your goats. It sounds like there is a possibility that your goats have goat polio which is from a thiamine deficiency. You need to contact a vet to treat them at this stage and also just to check them to see if there is anything else wrong. Then be sure to properly feed them. Here some tips on that: https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
I hope your other goat gets better. Best wishes!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello I have a 2 year old doe and today she just started walking in circles, can not walk in a straight line any Ideas as to what is going on with her? Thanks,Clovis
Hi Clovis-
It sounds like your goat could have Listeriosis, often called circling disease. Here is some information about the disease: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/listeriosis-in-your-herd
If it’s not Listeriosis it could be goat polio, which comes from a thiamine deficiency.
You need to get your goat checked by a vet immediately, especially if you suspect Listeriosis.
Best wishes for your goat.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Thank You for the information it was very helpful.
Hi! I’m pretty sure my doe has mastitis. She birthed two babies (first time mom) about two days ago. One side is doing well for nursing but the other side is enlarged and hot. What can I do to help relieve this so she can start nursing on that side? And both babies seem to be nursing just fine but should I be supplementing since they are only being able to nurse from one side?
Thank you!
Hi Shauna-
In this video you can see how DaNelle treats mastitis (beginning at about minute 8 in the video): https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw9AWLGU8W4
The baby goats should be fine. However, if you notice they are becoming extremely vocal, acting tired, losing weight, and not being very active, then you will want to supplement the milk they are getting because those are signs they aren’t getting enough to eat.
I hope that helps! Best of luck with your goats!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Had a doe (2nd time mom) get weak and quit eating about 4 days after kidding. I wasn’t home, but caretaker gave her Banamine and LA200. By the time I got home from out-of-state, she was already totally down – could prod her up to feed her kid, though. But, she isn’t eating, drinking, or producing much milk (understandably so!). Have treated with a bag of warm fluids into abdomen, Banamine, LA200, and Naxcell and calcium g. Tried force feeding a syringe of electrolytes down her. Don’t really think it sounds like milk fever, but treated with calcium just in case. Gave both antibiotics together per vet’s advice as she is in such bad shape. Her temp is now dangerously low (90.1) and I don’t think I have much hope of saving her. In 40+ years of dairy goats, I’ve never had a doe get ill after kidding – or this ill any other time, actually. Ideas?? She seemed like a perfectly healthy goat before I left home. She kidded while I was gone, and then this. 🙁 This is her second year in a row to have twins, one of which was weak and didn’t make it each time. Losing a newborn is also a first for me! 🙁
Hi Kristy-
It sounds like you went through all the proper treatment protocol. It is hard to tell what your doe is suffering from. There are rare instances when the doe will go into ketosis or pregnancy toxemia due to improper nutrition. You may ask you vet about that and see what they think since they did examine your doe. You can read more about it here: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/agriculture/pregnancy-toxemia-ketosis-in-ewes-and-does-1-630/
You may also talk with your local county extension agent and see if there are any odd diseases going through herds in your local area that may have caused this.
I am really sorry this happened. Best wishes for you and your goats.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Thank you, Bobbi. My husband is a vet, so we have been doing all we know to do, including doing fecals and blood work. It frustrates both of us that there is still limited info in the veterinary world on goats, although there is more than there used to be. I have nursed the doe along and the good news is she is still living and doing better, but still not out of the woods. She gradually started eating again after a week off feed. She is now ALMOST eating as much as she normally would. Poor goat has been treated for almost everything! My husband is not sure but what she may possibly have hardware disease, but time will tell on that. No cure for it, if so…. I have hopes that she will pull through, but would love to know what went wrong so I can hopefully take steps to prevent it from happening again! I am gradually changing my feed mixture now as I’m afraid that the feeds I switched to last year may be part of the problem. Thanks for your reply! Experience is more helpful than books much of the time! And, although I’ve had dairy goats most of my life, this is the first time I’ve ever had an adult goat get sick.
I am glad your goat is doing better. That is great your husband is a vet, that will definitely help with treatments. I hope your goat improves over time and can make a full recovery. Let us know how she’s doing. Thanks -Bobbi
Hello, I would appreciate if you were to respond to this as soon as possible. My goat had a kid 2 days ago on Saturday, March 16th (between 8:30-9 AM). He was born very strong and healthy, but what concerns me is that my goat has since then been showing most symptoms of possibly having a second kid, although it has been more than 48 hours. She’s always been a bossy and loud goat but she’s been extremely depressed since a few hours after kidding. Her mood change has been so drastic, it’s heartbreaking to see her like that. She lays down or stands up in one spot for maybe even hours at a time, looking so down. The only reason she’ll stand up is to feed her kid. She has barely been eating and won’t let me touch her belly. But from what I’ve felt, her belly is hard, like if she were to be carrying another kid. She’s been releasing soft stools that are also often clumpy. Please respond to this as soon as possible, I’m scared about what may be wrong with her.
Hi Brenda-
You need to have your doe seen by a vet immediately. She could possibly have a kid inside her that died, perhaps she did not deliver the placenta, or has some sort of internal injury or infection. Either way she needs vet care.
Best wishes on your goat.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello! I have 4 goats, 2 of them just joined my other two girls 2 days ago. They are head butted a lot by the queen and today it’s raining a lot and they aren’t being allowed in the goat house. The other two I checked on are wet and I’m afraid they’re going to get sick. If they do end up with a cold, how can I help them get better? They are 7 months and 11 months.
Hi Diane-
Goats can be bossy and mean to new goats, but if you can find a way to make sure the new ones have adequate shelter this will help a lot in keeping them healthy. Also, animals that are fed, watered, and supplemented properly will get sick less often and heal faster. Here are some tips on feeding: https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
For a little extra boost you can look at herbal mixes from Fir Meadows. This article gives a little bit of information about them and a link to their website: https://www.weedemandreap.com/herbal-healthcare-for-animals/
If you want to focus more on treating the cold, this information and method from Fias Co Farms is a good one to look into: https://fiascofarm.com/goats/respiratory.htm
I hope that helps! Best wishes for all your goats!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I am so grateful in coming across your page. Love all the info on here! Does this info pretty much go for all types of goats? I have two female baby Lamancha goats. Pretty much our pets. Sweet little girls. For sure fun! They are about 8 to 10 months old. They have done pretty well with us being first timers. One of them her name is Pickles. She has a small growth on the outside back of her mouth. Looks like a raspberry. It was looking bad and now it looks as if it dried out. She still eats well from bottle to feed. Weening her off from bottle. Now my other baby goat, her name is Peanuts (she is the spunky one). She has always been that way. But she has in a couple of days started acting stand-offish. Steps out of her pin, and just stands there. Doesn’t seem as if she has any energy or play in her, as she was before. Is there concern for either of them? Thank you so much in advance! I will keep following your page. Really appreciate you.
Hi Lia-
That is so great you have your Lamancha goats! They sound wonderful!
If they are over 3 months old they do need to be weaned from the bottle. Most goats are weaned no later than 3 months (and many at 2 months).
Most goat diseases are universal across breeds, so this information would apply to Lamanchas too.
As for what is wrong with your goats it is difficult to tell without actually seeing them.
The issue with the mouth could be sore mouth. Here is some additional information on that: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/controlling-sore-mouth-in-meat-goats
Often when goats become lethargic they either are having digestive issues or and lacking proper nutrition. It would be best to take her temperature, make sure she is still eating and drinking, check for diarrhea, and offer her some baking soda in case she has bloat. Here are some tips on feeding your goat properly: https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
Also, be aware that she could have a thiamine deficiency which can lead to goat polio. Or she may have contracted Listeriosis. This article gives some really good information on both, including symptoms, differences, and treatments: http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/listeriosis.html
It would be good to call your vet and have them check out both goats just to check and see what is going on with them so they can be as healthy and happy as ever.
I hope that helps! Thank you for following us!
Best of luck with your goats!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi, I just recently took over the care of my step daughters goat. He’s a pygmy goat, I believe, and we have had him with us for going on three days. I’m concerned though. The first morning we had him I became concerned when I went out to prepare a better food and waterer for him, he bahhed and I turned about and he was slowly falling face forward and his hindquarters was rising and then it slowed but immediately after he was stumbling around as if he wasn’t able to walk and rocking back and forth. This morning he did the same thing, I’m don’t believe this to be normal behavior. Can someone give me some insight if they have had this same thing happen or possibly what I can do? I thought maybe due to how my daughter was raising him he wasn’t getting the nutrients he was needed so yesterday we started introducing a new diet of actual goat feed instead of cracked corn and also since he hasn’t been vaccinated we also vaccinated him with C&D. He was very sleepy yesterday of course from the vaccination.
Hi Theresa-
Your goat could have goat polio, which is from a thiamine deficiency. Another similar disease is Listeriosis. These two articles talk about those diseases. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/listeriosis-in-your-herd
https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/ruminant_nutrition/Optional%20Reading%20Materials/Polio_Vlietstra.pdf
It is best to contact your vet immediately to examine and treat you goat.
Best of luck with your goat.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I thought I read somewhere of a goat disease that once it is on your property and in your soil, there is no getting rid of it. Do you know what that is? One of our precious does tested boarder line for CAE. We will retest her in 30 days but if CAE is the dreaded disease, I need to prepare my daughter for the eventual culling of this loved animal. Thank you for your information and help.
Hi Robyn-
No, I do not believe what you are referencing is CAE. Here is a fact sheet on CAE that can explain more about it, including how the disease can be transmitted: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergingissues/downloads/prcaevinfosheet.pdf
The disease you may be talking about could be anthrax or maybe even possibly Johne’s disease.
I am really sorry about your does. I wish you the best and hope everything will be ok.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
What would cause a goat to cough all the time. I have 6 goats all have been treated for worms. My 1 yr old doe was treated for phenomia with 2 different antibiotics, was given a steroid, and after that didn’t stop the cough I tried benadryl. She still coughs and alot more when she is active. I thought maybe dust or mold but none of the others are coughing. She eats and poops and urinated normal and acts normal, just an awful cough. Vet seems to think she is fine buy to me coughing all the time is not normal. What can I do for her?
Hi Viki-
The top things that can make a goat cough is pneumonia, lungworms, and allergies.
It sounds like you have treated for pneumonia, but in some goats there can remain some residual damage to the lungs. This can increase the chances of recurrence of pneumonia setting in (even very soon after treatment). Sometimes if the infection has been bad enough then there can be slight scarring and the goat will always seem to get sick easier and may cause them to cough even at the slightest inhalation of dust or pollen. Simply the goat will just always cough.
Lungworms are rare, but can be deadly if the infestation is high. Your vet would need to test for these. If a goat has had lungworms there is often scarring of the lung as well.
Allergies are usually the cause of coughing for goats, especially if they have had previous lung damage. Giving the goat Benadryl (or the generic brand equivalent) is the best way to handle this. That and make sure your goats’ living quarters are clean and they have plenty of fresh air. Make sure that they are not living in damp/moldy conditions and that none of their feed or hay has become moldy.
Do take your goats temperature to make sure there is no fever so you can rule out any infections or other sickness. Ruling out diseases or infections may not stop your goat from coughing, but you will know that it is not sick, simply just a cougher. If you notice the coughing worsens in anyway or the goat has a fever, contact your vet and have the goat looked at.
I hope that helps and your goat’s cough gets better with time.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I think there is blood in our goats stool, there are a few years old and I haven’t seen this before, it stands out in our first snow fall. Where should I look for possible causes? Thanks!
Hi Justin-
Blood in goats’ stool could mean they have coccidiosis. You will need to do a fecal test with your vet to confirm this. Once you know for certain, you can then begin treatment. This article has some good information about coccidiosis, including causes, symptoms, and treatments. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/coccidiosis-the-most-common-cause-of-diarrhea-in-young-goats
I hope that helps.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
looking for answers; friend has had 3 goats (mini’s) give birth but, all the males died(were born dead) and females born alive. wondering where to start to look for answers, thanks they were vaccinated & wormed prior to babies
Hi Laurie-
How devastating for your friend and their goats. I don’t know any diseases or deficiencies that target in utero males as opposed to females, so I am not sure why only the males died. Perhaps they were just weaker kids to begin with. Late term aborts and stillbirths are usually caused by diseases or nutritional deficiencies. I have attached an article from Oregon State that goes through many of the common causes. https://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/book/export/html/175690
I hope it can shed some light on what happened to the baby goats.
The best thing your friend can do, if they really want to know what is afflicting the goats, is to have a necropsy done by the vet. I would also have your friend discuss this with their local Agriculture Extension Agent so they can let your friend know if there are any diseases going around and also to make record of your friend’s problem in case others in the county experience this issue too.
I hope that helps. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi.. we have 3 goats, a momma and two baby boys which are 7 months old now. One of the male babies started acting sick this morning. He was standing by himself in the goat lot by a large tree and making loud sounds as if he’s hurting. He acts like he’s gagging or trying to throw up but doesn’t. Haven’t noticed any diarrhea yet. Any ideas what could be wrong?
Hi Todd-
It difficult to tell what is wrong with him without seeing him, but sometimes male goats get urinary calculi. Often they looked hunched over and as if they are straining. The sometimes paw at their bellies, grit their teeth, and will vocalize if in pain. Check to see if he is urinating, and if so, if the quantity is diminished or has any blood in the urine. Also check the penis area for swelling and yellowing.
If this is not the issue, then he may have some type of issue with his rumen.
Check to see if he has a fever or bloated/extended belly.
I would suggest you have the vet check him out to diagnose him.
I hope he gets better.
Thank you -Bobbi(DaNelle’s Assistant)
very interesting I have goats but many have died and I have failed to dragonize the disease . They start with loose stool ,lose weight few hours or days they die . can I do to save them
Hi Sarah-
It sounds like your goats may have coccidiosis or are overrun my internal parasites. You will need to do a fecal test with your vet to determine the cause. Once you know for certain, you can treat for what your goats have. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I am very new to owning goats. I have a 4 month old buckling that has started limping and doesn’t seem to feel well. I’ve researched the symptoms but just not sure what may be wrong. Nothing wrong with his hoof or leg that I can detect. At first he was just limping on it but now he’s limping and acts like he doesn’t feel well. I’m wondering if the hoof being sore is keeping him from moving around and eating and drinking as he should. Note it’s July and very hot so maybe he’s dehydrated?
Hi Darlene-
I am sorry to hear about your goat. Without seeing your goat it is difficult to tell exactly what is wrong with him. If you have properly trimmed his hooves, and you see no cuts or puncture wounds either, then it could be laminitis (founder) especially if you are feeding a high grain diet. This can cause limping and for your goat not to feel well. The hoof will be hot to the touch and your goat may be running a fever (be sure to take your goat’s temperature). If you are feeding him grain, no longer do that, and make sure he has access to plenty of fresh hay/grass/forage and plenty of water. Also, give him some baking soda to combat the acidosis. If he is not drinking water you will need to force some into him so he doesn’t become dehydrated. Using a drencher usually works well. If he is in pain you can give him non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics.
If this is not the problem your goat may have Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE). This can cause lameness and swollen joints. You will need a vet to see your goat. There is actually no specific treatment for CAE, but goats can be given pain medication and antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections. Plus in many states CAE needs to be reported to the State Agriculture Department.
There is also a chance your goat could have polio (thiamine deficiency) or Listeriosis (bacterial infection), but usually this is seen more as a staggering, not so much as a limping. Your vet will treat your goat with a thiamine and penicillin if this is the case.
Keep an eye on your goat and if you try changing his diet, etc. as mentioned above, and you do not see improvement call your vet to have your goat treated.
I hope this helps. Best of luck with your goat.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have a goat she is about 9 months old and she just started stumbling to one side and acts like she cant see. She was fine yesterday but today she is acting weird.
Hi Nick-
I’m really sorry about your doe. I can’t say exactly what’s wrong with her without seeing her, but it sounds like she may have Listeriosis or Goat Polio. If your goat does have one of these diseases you need to take this seriously and act quickly. Polio will need to be treated with thiamine doses and Listeriosis needs to be treated with doses of penicillin. It’s best to contact your vet and get your goat treated right away. These two articles will give you a better understanding of the diseases, including symptoms and treatment. https://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/U/UNP-0064/UNP-0064.pdf
https://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/U/UNP-0065/UNP-0065.pdf
I hope this helps.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
My goat suddenly stopped drinking all the milk from his bottle. And a day before that random black spots showed up around his face. As soon as he stops drinking his bottle he sneezes and coughs and opens his mouth wide. At the end of his little fit he shakes his head really hard and repeats. Thoughout the whole day he has these little fits. Help please.
Hi Marcey-
I am so sorry your goat is having trouble. I’m not quite sure what’s wrong. The coughing and sneezing and trouble drinking sounds like he may have a respiratory issue. The head shaking could be a sign of that too or maybe trouble with his ears, such as ear mites or fluid. I am not sure about the black spots unless it is some sort of lice or mite infestation. It would be best to check your goats temperature, watch if he is going to the bathroom, and keep track of how much he’s eating. Be sure he has been wormed and treated for external parasites as well. You will need to contact your vet and have your little goat checked out. It sounds like he is having some serious issues. Without actually seeing him it’s hard to tell what the problem is, but with everything going on I think a trip to the vet will be well worth it. I hope that helps. Let us know how’s he doing. Best wishes.
Thank you-Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello! I have read on some of your blog before. I have two alpine goats. One of them is super hyper and to match its hyperness super stupid!! The doe kid has never been super hyper, and maybe thats just her, but she seems to be kind of sickly, runny nose, still eating a little, anyways, wondering how I can diagnose and treat this without a vet trip(more like vet bill lol) I am assuming it may be a cold of some sort but don’t know for sure. Thanks!
Hi Liz-
Well, not sure what to do with that hyper, not so smart goat you have, except let him run and play and love him the way he is. 😉
It’s hard to tell why your doe has a runny nose. It can be anything from allergies to pneumonia. You need to take her temperature to start. Also, be sure your goats are in a well ventilated area that’s clean and their hay and water is fresh. You can give your goat rosehips for a boost and also try giving her Nutridrench and VetRx. If that doesn’t help clear her up, or if she is running a fever, you will need to contact the vet. I hope that helps.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi, Danelle!
First, let me say I love your blog! I found you when we first started talking about getting goats (well, to be honest, it was before I talked to my husband :)), and I have enjoyed reading your articles and watching videos. Thanks for being informative, yet very accessible to newbies like myself. ANYWAY…. we got 2 Nubian sisters about a month and a half ago and everything seemed to be going well until just recently. They both started having trouble getting up off the ground. They kind of flop around trying to get up and really have to fight. They don’t seem to be in pain, but I’m not sure how to tell that exactly. This isn’t constant, just occasional. I noticed it for the first time today, but my husband said he’d seen it before. The only other symptom I can see is that they seem to scratch their ears a lot. I’m not sure what to look for, though. I can’t seem to find anything online that would match these symptoms. Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you!
Hi Monica-
Since your Nubians are a few months old, I don’t think they are suffering from weak kid or floppy kid syndrome as the occurs from first few days, to first few weeks of life. What the problem may be is that they may be suffering from a deficiency in selenium or vitamin E. If you notice a problem with their coat condition as well, this may be from a copper or thiamine deficiency. Also, parasite infestations can cause some of these problems. It is best to test their feces and do a coat analysis. This can help diagnosis what is going on.
The condition could also be related to Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) or Tetanus. Both of these require immediate vet attention. It would be best to schedule a visit with your vet at this time.
In the meantime here is some information of what your goats should be supplemented with and a natural deworming protocol.
https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
As for the scratching of the ears I am assuming your goats have ear mites. You can treat this by putting a mix of olive oil and pressed garlic oil, plus lavender EO in their ears. Just a few drops will do.
I hope that helps. Best of luck. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have a 5-6 month old nubbian . This morning she wasnt interested in eating. This evening she was having trouble standing. Now she lays streched out running ( no labored breathing )with her head streched back. Any ideas as to whats going on. The other 2 seem fine still. Thanks for being there
Hi Earl-
I am not 100% sure what is wrong with your Nubian, but there is a possibility she may have some as serious as Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) or Tetanus. Both of these require immediate vet attention. Sometimes weakness in the legs can be from a selenium or vitamin E deficiency, but the neck part is something beyond that. She may even be overrun by parasites, as this can kill a goat. Even if this is not what is wrong with your doe, with the symptoms she has she needs to be seen by a vet ASAP. I hope she is ok. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
one of my goats two days ago all of a sudden couldn’t get (1 1/2 ‘) into the shed using her front legs,
she did get in by her self ,then yesterday I had to pick her up cause she couldn’t do it
she is walking ok, was wondering if maybe she has a difficiency?
Hi Linda-
I’m sorry about your goat. Yes, it could be a selenium or vitamin E deficiency causing this. Supplementing your goats diet can help fix this. Here sre links to minerals and supplements goats need: https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
Do watch your goat and make sure she has no other symptoms to rule out possible diseases. If she gets worse call your vet.
Best of luck. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi Danielle. I just recently found your blog and I love it. I will definitely be checking it out frequently. Here’s my story. My 4yr old Nigerian Dwarf Wether dropped dead last night. He had been completely normal, so this came as quite a shock to us. We have a very small backyard herd. Our other goats are 3yr old Mini Lamancha females (sisters). All poop is normal, eating and drinking normal. I saw him urinate a few days ago and it was a nice solid stream, not bloody. One of the girls is really blowing her coat, but the other two are fine. I’m having the stool tested just in case, and I am making an appointment to have the girls checked over. I was just wondering if you had any ideas of what it could have been. Someone mentioned that it could be goat “aids”, that it could lay dormant and then all of a sudden kill them. What disease is that and is that tested by blood? Thank you for your time.
Hi Michelle-
I am really sorry about your goat. So sad when they pass away.
I assuming they were referencing Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus when they were talking about goat “AIDS”. This article from the USDA will give you all the details on it: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergingissues/downloads/prcaevinfosheet.pdf
As for the goats dying suddenly and the poor coat condition this could be due to parasite infestation and/or copper or thiamine deficiency. It is best to test their feces and do a coat analysis. This should tell you what is going on.
In the meantime here is some information of what your goats should be supplemented with and a natural deworming protocol.
https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
I hope that helps. Best of luck. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello ? I am a new (Soon to be) goat owner. My husband and I have always wanted a small homestead and a good friend is going to give us two Nubian baby goats. They are brother and sister, bottle feed and 7 days old today. The little girl is doing great. She is such a character and dare devil. Full of energy and eats like cray. Our friends still have them and told me that they have to make the little girl stop eatting because she just goes and goes and goes. The little boy on the other hand…. Well he is completely different. He does eat but very very little. He has started nibbling on hay and goes to the bathroom. One night he had labored breathing but hasn’t had another episode (according to our friends) he does walk around but doesn’t play around like his sister. His legs also MAYBE seem a little stiff but then again maybe not? Can he just be a shy, lazy or laid back baby goat (if that’s possible) or could something br wrong? Any tips for when I get him. He is on a replacer so I thought maybe trying to slowly switch to cow’s milk to see if maybe that will help. Thank you and I love your blog! It has helped me so much!
Hi Amber-
I’m sorry about your male goat. Not eating and not playing can be serious signs of illness for baby goats. I wouldn’t switch him to cow’s milk, this can be hard on his digestive system. Stick with milk replacer, but give him some probiotics. This article will give suggestions for a probiotic and how to continue feeding your baby goats now and as they grow. https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-to-care-for-baby-goats/
You need to have the goat’s temperature checked to see if there is a fever. This can let you know more about his condition. Also, look for any snotty discharge or a bloated abdomen.
As for stiff legs, this can be a number of things ranging from polio to an injury. Make sure he isn’t hurt to rule out injury. If his diet has changed recently or he’s gotten into grain he can develop polio. You can give him a dose of thiamine, this would help if it is polio. Your vet can help you with this.
As for labored breathing this can be pneumonia or maybe he just aspirated when he was drinking. If the breathing is normal and continues as such, you needn’t worry about it, but do keep an eye on it and make sure he isn’t having trouble.
If he continues to not eat or displays other problems, get him checked by the vet immediately.
Let us know how he is. Best of luck. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Before you first consume milk from a goat, should that milk be tested and if so for what and do you pasturize the milk your family drinks? thanks
Hi Carolyn-
No, the milk is not pasteurized. Here is an article DaNelle wrote that explains why she doesn’t and what the benefits of raw milk are. It also mentions that testing is important for the diseases she mentions in this article: https://www.weedemandreap.com/drinking-raw-milk/
If you want to test your milk you can also do that. It would be best to contact your local county extension office and they can tell you who in your area offers milk testing services.
I hope this helps! Best of luck! Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have a goat of a very good breed and it was out for three days sent for breeding but it was tied outside in the cold weather but breeding not done and later when we brought from there it’s not eating any thing properly and it’s ill wat to do now get any tips to make our goat in good condition please
Hi Zafar-
Sounds like your goat was not properly taken care of and most likely extremely stressed out. You need to make sure she is drinking water. Keep offering her food. You may add just a tad bit of molasses to it to make it sweet and tempt her more to eat. You will need to make sure she has adequate vitamins, minerals, and is dewormed.
These great articles that DaNelle wrote will help you to know what to give her:
https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
Keep an eye on your goat and watch for diarrhea and weight loss. If she doesn’t improve in a few days call your vet because she may have contracted something serious from the place she was at for breeding. I hope this helps. Best of luck and I hope she gets much better. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi my goat billy is not drinking milk and having fully loose motion . what are the natural remedies
Hello Dhanasekar-
That’s too bad about your goat. These articles DaNelle wrote have some great information that may help you out:
https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/happy-anniversary-goat/
Be sure to offer your goat plenty of fresh water. If the goat continues to have diarrhea and will not eat, it may be best to call the vet. I hope this helps. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Help… I’m so scared something is wrong with billy. He got stuck in a cattle panel probably 3 weeks ago. It was pretty bad. His body flipped and his head and neck stayed the other direction if that makes any sense.
Well since then. He stopped making noice. And can’t really stick his tongue out when I give him food from my hand. The vet said to watch him. But I noticed that when I pet him or kind of hit his side with my hand. He burps. And he coughs.im puzzled. Need advice. If u have any…
He’s my baby….
Hi Heather-
It sounds like your goat has suffered some real trauma. You need to call your vet again and have him looked at. I am assuming he needs medical treatment. I wish you and your goat the best. Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have a re sue Nigerian Dawrf Pygmy goats and her birth as I have been told was on July 5th … she seems younger and still losing her ambilical cord. I had to take her to the vet 2vweeks ago and they diagnosed her with coccidia and gave her 5 days of medicine which she has finished . I have been having to drench her with milk replacement so she will eat and even that is a challenge. She walks around looking sad with her head and tail down. I really don’t know what is wrong with her. She won’t eat grain and she will graze very little. What should I do ? What can I do to make her better she has been staying in our house in a cage off and on during the day and we let her out in the pen that is next to the other goats in the here but I am scared of putting her with the others due to me being over protective and I don’t feel she can take the other goats at the moment.
Hi Jennifer-
It sounds like you have a not so healthy little goat that isn’t feeling well. And you’re doing good keeping your goat separated. It’s best not to let the little goat in with your others for her safety, but also theirs, so they don’t become infected with something she may have.
Not being able to see your goat makes it difficult to guess what exactly is wrong with her. You didn’t mention that she had diarrhea or a fever, so I am assuming she is ok in the aspect. Has she been wormed and checked for lice, etc.? Worms can do a real number on goats, even killing them if they become infested. Parasites can really drain a little goat (or even a big goat), making them sick. Also, is she getting the right supplements and minerals? Goats lacking in these areas can also become sick. I am going to give you some links to DaNelle’s articles about raising baby goats, as well as guides to supplementation, minerals, and dewormers.
https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-to-care-for-baby-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
I hope these helps. You may also want to check back with your vet to discuss any follow up medication they think your goat may need. I hope your little one gets better. Let us know how things go. I wish you the best. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Being a breeder of pygmy goats for nearly 30 yrs. We have coccidia flare up every few years, and from what you describe, they treated it just how we would of, however, additionally, I would recommend using a syringe and giving a couple cc’s of plain yogurt,a couple times a day for a reward days to get those I intestinal issues back in order, and also 2cc of B-Complex, this gives them energy and appetite. This is also a good practice anytime antibiotics are given.
Hi Denise-
This is great advice! Thanks for sharing! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello i have a problem with my male 1,5 year old pygmy goat. He eats normaly and isnt realy depressed, but he chooses to lie down more than walk, he even eats while lieing down. Also tends to walk on his knees likes to eat like that. After geting up he doesnt walk properly for some time but afterwards hes normal like nothing is wrong. He has a adequet diet with plenty of minerals also we give some vitamin D suplemens to make sure it isnt caused by calcium difiency. Doesnt show any pain sings when touched the joins arent swolen. Any sugestion what could be the cause of it?
Hi Leja-
I’m sorry your Pygmy seems to not be feeling well. It sounds like he may have a foot problem. It’s hard to tell without seeing him in person, but it almost sounds like he is foundering (laminitis). Does he eat a lot of grain? If so, this (especially combined with low forage) can cause foundering. Feel his hooves. If they are hot to the touch this is a definite sign. Also feel if the hooves are extremely soft to the touch or are white looking. If he is foundering you need to call the vet for treatment and slowly start pulling him off of grain. If you don’t see any of those problems look for cuts, holes, or any sign of infection. Always remember with this little goat of yours, and any other goat, you really need to care for their feet and keep them trimmed and make sure they are not consistently in damp conditions.
I hope this information helps. Let me know how is doing. Best of luck with him. Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
On 5.14.2017, we purchased 3 goats one was about 7 months old and a set of boy girl twins. I thought that we had completed enough research before buying them….. I have found though that we still have a lot to learn. In the short time that we have had them we have had them it seems like something is always going on. First, we banded the little boy goat and about a week later he contracted a skin infection around the banded site. He doctored him and got that problem taken care of. Then a week ago I was holding him and noticed a speck on him. I got to looking and it was lice. Then noticed that the two babies are anemic, I am assuming from the lice. We are now treating for lice and the anemia. I have read over the goat diseases and what to look for. Are there other resources or a possible a book that you would recommend for us. I have had read tons online about goats. Not sure if I am just not searching for the right thing or looking in the right places. We want to be sure that we are looking and preventing things instead of always treating the problem.
Thank you!
Hi Veronica-
The fact that you are trying so hard and doing so much research makes me think your goats are doing just fine. With any animals, much like children, there are bumps along the road, ones which you seem to deal with just fine. The best thing you can do is offer proper nutrition, never feed straight of the ground, offer fresh water, access to quality pasture, space, and sunshine, put them on a worming regiment, examine them daily, and just let them be happy goats. If you want a resource to go to about your goats, the most personal one I can think of is your county agriculture extension agent. These people are a fantastic resource because they have seen and heard it all. They can personally come out to your place and let you know about great local programs, etc. I am sure you are doing just fine with your goats, but definitely get to know your county extension folks, they can help out in so many ways. Best wishes and Happy Goating! -Bobbi
I have a 3 year old Alpine goat that has lost weight and wont eat very much. He streatches out like his tummy hurts. He will eat celery , carrots, but not much. He wont drink and has no energy and looks weak. has lost about 25 pounds. we have been given him probiotics and today 1 cc of penacillian. any advice would be great. Cant afford a vet right now , please help if you can, Thanks…
Hi Rhonda-
I am so sorry to hear about your Alpine.
For tummy issues there are a few things to think about. The first thing to find out is if he has eaten something that has caused digestive upset. Things like too much grain, alfalfa, clover, molasses, or certain weeds (like milkweed) can all cause stomach upset. Rapidly changing your goats diet can also do this. Giving your goats too many treats, even carrots and celery are not good for him. He really just needs quality pasture or hay to eat.
Beyond making sure his diet is limited and consistent, also give him free access to some bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), as this can ease digestive upset. Also make sure your goat is getting all his minerals, especially potassium and magnesium, as a lack in certain ones can disrupt digestion. Here are 2 articles DaNelle wrote on supplements and minerals: https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
Another thing to look for is if you goat has worms. This can cause stomach pain, as well as other issues. Be sure to consistently worm your goats. Here is DaNelle’s article about deworming. https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
One more thing to look at is if your goat may be getting poisoned. I don’t necessarily mean someone is poisoning him, but more likely he may have eaten a poisonous plant such as azalea, rhododendron, and oleander. Make sure goat cannot access these, as they will cause stomach pain and death.
If your goat is becoming severely dehydrated you can use a drencher to gently push some water into his stomach. If you do this, know it is a huge stressor for a goat and must be done slowly. If it is done too fast or the goat is being too vocal he can choke on the water and die. Only do this if the goat truly won’t drink and just give him a little at a time.
I hope some of this information helps. I really do hope your little Alpine is ok. Best wishes. -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have a 7 month old buck boer goat and have a problem. When we first bought the goat two months ago he seemed fine with weight and and energy. The first problem we had was that he wouldn’t eat much. We feed all our goats and him alfalfa hay but he wouldn’t eat it. Only a small amount. We tried calf manna and corn but he won’t eat that either. Then we let him out into a large area and he won’t eat anything like grass. The person we bought him from said that he ate alfalfa hay. Now he’s lost a lot of weight and just wanders around acting very weak. What do you suggest we do? Thank You, Finn
Hi Finn,
I would call a vet, because that seems very weird that he won’t eat.
Hello, I have a quick question. So, I had a goat who was pregnant but she died and her kid hadn’t made t either. It was out of no where. Then a month later in the morning I find one of my other goats dead. Neither had symptoms of anything and they were eating and digesting everything normally. Everything was normal, just one night they’re okay and in the morning they’re gone. Any help that you can offer?
Wow, interesting. It was either a sudden food/plant they ate that made them sick, or it was a disease. I would get any other goats on your property tested, ASAP.
Young goat dont eat anything but sometimes few leaves she eat. she also have diarrhea. She might have eaten too much wheat flour his stomach feel very heavy. Iven him digestion mixture also encure injection……
Also given her a sulpha 33.33 w/v
lactic acidosis is your problem bro……
What do goat stop have diarrhea? What we give her feel better?
It’s usually coccidia or that they’ve upset their rumen by eating too much grain.
Hello Da Nelle, please my goat all of a sudden lost appetite to food, so quiet and don’t move around unlike before he use to play and jump around. What should I do?
I would call the vet for sure. It sounds serious. Hope he feels better!
I just got a 23 day old Nubian so my 20 day old male Nubian will have a mate. The male is double her size. They are both full blooded Nubians. I am having a hard time giving them a bottle. Why is she so much smaller? Should I worm her at 23 days old? ?
Hi Priscilla. Here is a blog post about goat deworming. I hope it helps!
DaNelle
https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
Hi there. We had our first kidding experience just 4 days ago. Very exciting! The first few days were great but now my little billy has a fever. I am trying to find the best fever reducer without using antibiotics. I will if necessary it just makes me nervous with him being newborn. I have read Batamine, penicillin and nuflor are the best to use but am unclear on dosage. What antibiotic has worked best in your experience and also dosing a baby.
I’ve only had to use antibiotics one time, and we used penicillin. I would say go for the antibiotics in a newborn, it’s too risky.
My 6 months old buckling has fits. It lays still on the right side when in pain and it has lost weight. What could be the problem?
He sounds very sick, I would take him to a vet.
What do you work your goats with and when
Worm not work
I usually do a complete testing once a year:)
Hello mam i have a goat which suffering from brain problem . sometime it puts her head on the soil. What should i do ?
I think you need to take it to the vet, to determine which problem she has.
Hi Wendy- I have 2 female goats about 5 years old. They have never been around other goats and for some reason they are producing milk. What would you recommend?
If you feed them alfalfa hay it can make a doe give “maidens milk” perfect for drinking just weird.
Good morning. Just found your blog and I absolutely love it. I am now following you on pinterest. I have goats and I love that your blog is so organized and you make things easy to understand. And I’m big into canning and dehydrating. In fact looking for ideas of more things to dehydrate is how I found your site. Thank you.
Thank you!!
HI DaNelle. We have a problem with 2 of our young goats dying. They were fine then. Dead! No bites or abrasions, runny nose. The only thing was foam coming from their nose. I can’t seem to find any info on this. Any ideas? They were being grained 1 x a day. They have free range on 10 acres in Florida. I have put out a tub of baking soda in hopes that maybe it’s indigestion? Any help would be great. I would call the vet but they are dead no symptoms…. Thanks! Sharon H.
Hi Sharon,
Foam from the nose with bloating means rumen trouble. Foam from the nose without bloating means it was probably respiratory, either a virus or something. SO SORRY! I would get your whole herd tested for the above diseases, then go from there. Also, we don’t feed grain to babies, just hay only. Grain upsets their rumen bacteria too easily.
I have 3 Two month old goats. I buckling and 2 doelings. When they wake up in the morning they have snotty noses and they cough a bit but after they get around for awhile it goes away. Any ideas?
Hmmm, interesting. it sounds like a cold, I would try this immune booster herbal blend here: https://www.firmeadowllc.com/store/p90/Herb_Mix_Better_Daze_8_oz.html
Ah ok, thank you so much. I couldn’t find it that day so thought maybe it was my browser messing up. Thanks for replying.
I’ve had goats for 7 years now and I’ve never heard of Q fever. The biggies here that everyone tests for are CL, CAE, and Johnnes. Is Q fever a regional problem?
It might be. It’s common here in AZ.
Hi DaNelle!
I am wondering if you could give me some advice here. I picked up a Lamancha doe from a neighbor this spring. She thought it had just kidded, so I figured that may be why it was so thin. But after a summer on pasture and my other goats as healthy as ever, she is still so skinny you can see her ribs. She has softer stool as well- not the “raisin” type of manure most have. No blood that I’ve seen though. Just wondering what your thoughts are on that and if I should get rid of her before my healthy goats get sick… Thanks in advance!
Hi Naomi-
I’m sorry your new goat isn’t gaining weight.
Some things to try are as follows:
Check your goat’s teeth. Often an incorrect bite or teeth issues will cause weight issues in a goat.
Make sure your goat is getting enough to eat and not getting excluded or pushed out by the other goats.
Deworm your goat and do a fecal test to make sure that the dewormer actually worked. A heavy parasite load can prevent weight gain.
Copper and (rarely) cobalt deficiency can affect gain. Give your goat a proper mineral blend: https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
There are cases of diseases such as Johne’s Disease and CAE causing issues with weight and stool consistency. Talk your vet about testing for this and what you can do.
Hopefully some of the simpler fixes will help your goat. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello, my goats have dry flakey skin especially on their spine area. Any idea what could have caused this?
It could be due to an overgrowth of worms or deficiency in minerals. I would suggest doing a round of blood tests to ease your mind, then go towards making sure they are dewormed and have a good supply of minerals.
What lab do you use to test the blood? Do you know of a website that list testing labs?
Hi Rob, I link to the lab above in the article.
Where do you link at? I am guessing I am blind. I have looked through the article twice and cant find the link. Ill look again though.
Hi Wendy, I link to it in my tutorial on how to draw blood from goats here: https://www.weedemandreap.com/draw-blood-goat/