Use of Ivermectin in Goats for Nose Bots

Parasites are nasty creatures that affect all domestic livestock. Goats have a particularly horrible affliction in the form of nose bots--a larvae that hatches from an egg laid in the mucosa of the nose. The eggs hatch and the larva burrow into the soft membranes of the nose, feeding on the mucous and surrounding tissues. The goats are unable to rid themselves of this horror and suffer tremendous pain and discomfort. With proper treatment, the bots can be killed and the animals spared.

  1. Nose Bots

    • The adult stage of the nose bot is a fly. The male and female mate, and the female then seeks a goat to victimize. The bot hovers in front of the goat and dives in, laying small, tube shaped maggots on the hairs of the nose of the goat. These tubes fit the hair and cannot be easily removed. The maggots immediately burrow into the skin of the nostrils and migrate up into the nasal sinuses, feeding as they go. Killing these nasty parasites is a must for any goat owner.

    Ivermectin

    • Ivermectin is currently the only available treatment for nose bots. Ivermectin is given orally and will effectively kill any parasitic infestation in the goat, including nose bots. How ivermectin works is by paralyzing the parasites, causing them to be unable to feed or to remain attached to their host. The parasites die within 24 hours and are passed from the infested animal via their feces, or, in the case of nose bots, by falling out. If there is a heavy infestation of nose bots, care needs to be taken of the goat after administering the medication to avoid suffocation. Dosing is done by weight and directions are included with the medication. It is drawn into a syringe and administered to the goat by mouth. Ivermectin is a safe treatment, and there has been no parasitic resistance shown to this drug. Check with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about the use or dose of ivermectin for your goats.

    Administration and Aftercare

    • Using a syringe, draw up the dose as prescribed by your veterinarian or by the directions on the bottle of medication. Hold the goat firmly with one arm and hand, and with the other, slide the syringe up into the goats mouth and administer the medication onto the back of the tongue. Massaging the throat while you do this can assure that the medication is swallowed. Once administered, praise your pet and let it go. Watch it carefully for the next 48 hours to make sure it is breathing without trouble and eating and drinking properly. Once you are past this time period, the goat should be fine. If the goat does not eat or drink during this time, or shows signs of trouble breathing, you need to get professional veterinary help immediately.