Molly's Herbal Coccidiosis Treatment for Goats

One of the most serious problems goat breeders and owners have in the United States is controlling parasites. The choice of effective drug treatments has diminished with the resistance that has built up in the parasites. Consequently, goat owners are turning to alternative, herbal treatments to help control parasite infestation in their herds.

  1. Coccidiosis

    • Coccidiosis is a disease that results from the invasion and destruction of the mucous lining of the small intestine by a protozoan--one celled organism--parasite that are almost always present in a goat's environment. When the goat is infected with these parasites in small numbers, the coccidia causes very little damage and no disease. When a goat is infected in large numbers, this disease is called coccidiosis. All goats generally carry a small number of coccidia. Adult goats are typically strong enough to resist them, unlike kids which have not built up a strong enough immune system.
      Coccidian are species specific, meaning goat coccidian do not infect cattle, horses, or pigs. However, the coccidia of sheep may be responsible for some problems in goats.

    Symptoms of Coccidiosis

    • If the kid is mildly infected he may stand off by himself, hunch his back, or have diarrhea. When the infestation is acute blood will be evident in diarrhea and the kid
      may be dehydrated and strain trying to pass feces. If the coccidiosis is very acute death can occur within 24 hours. Other symptoms are pale or white gums, dull coat, lower milk production, clumpy stools, refusing feed, fluffed hair, listlessness, subnormal or slightly elevated temperature, reumen failure, dehydration, chronic coughing, and bottle jaw, a swelling under the jaw.

    Environmental Prevention

    • Proper management is key to prevent severe infestation of coccidiosis. The goat's pen should always be kept clean and dry. Keep food and water dishes clean, keep them high enough so the goats cannot step in them or soil them.
      If you suspect that the pasture has been contaminated, switch pastures with another species. When another animal species eats the goat parasite larvae they will die.

    Molly's Herbal Treatment

    • Goat owners have experienced great success with herbal wormers, mainly due to the fact that the parasites do not develop a resistance to herbs as they can to chemical wormers. Molly's Herbal Wormer contains black walnut, which is resistant to many types of parasites, worms and insects.

    Administering Molly's Herbal Treatment

    • Mix the herbs with enough water to suck the herb mixture into the drenching syringe. Give the recommended amount in milliliters to each kid. You can add a small amount of probiotic powder to the herbs.