What Would a Goat Be Acting Like if It Had Worm Parasites?

Goats are not only livestock; they are engaging, intelligent creatures that make fantastic pets. Goats are invaluable for their ability to create firebreaks by eating potential grass fire hazards down to the root. However, goats can acquire internal parasites -- usually worms that cause illness and death. A goat cannot tell its owner what is wrong, so knowing how goats with worms would behave could save a goat's life.

  1. Internal Parasites in Goats

    • Internal parasites are worms that invade goats' intestinal tracts and other organs. However, worms themselves don't kill goats; these parasites' overall internal damage is the real culprit. Each worm creates adverse symptoms in the goat, depending on what key system is violated. Significant damage to the goat's skin, heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, blood, stomach, brain, intestine and lymphatic system can be fatal.

    Common Symptoms of Internal Parasites

    • The most common symptoms of worm infestation include lethargy, weight loss or just maintaining weight, blanching of gums due to blood loss, shivering, impaired vision, diarrhea, inability to eat and stand, rough coat, depression and lack of coordination. A veterinarian immediately should investigate any of these symptoms for infestation. A barber-pole worm can burrow into the mucosal wall of a goat's stomach, causing death within hours.

    Worm Types and Early Signs

    • Meningeal worms usually infest white-tailed deer, which show no side effects. However, in an unusual host including a goat, these worms move to the brain or around the spinal cord, causing disorientation, head-tilt and weakness in the legs.

      Tapeworms are evident because worms appear as rice grains in the goat's feces. The host goat can expel adult worms up to a foot long. Immediate veterinary attention is required after noticing tapeworms, as these parasites can choke the goat's vital organs.

      Lungworms occupy the goat's bronchial area. Once the lungs fill with worms, the goat will cough them up. Quick treatment is necessary to keep these worms from suffocating the goat.

    Diagnosing and Treating Parasitic Worms

    • Goat owners with large herds must be vigilant when their animals show symptoms of infestation. Regular veterinary care is the best weapon against parasites. A veterinarian can see by hooves, eyes and gum color whether a goat is strong and parasite-free. A stool test will reveal most worms to the vet. Many remedies exist for treating worms. Most are successful, but can be hard on the goat. Infested goats should be quarantined while treated; otherwise, they would be weaker and possibly picked on by other goats. With time, an astute goat owner can recognize problem goats and seek medical help before the situation becomes life threatening.