Worm Medications for Pregnant Pygmy Goats

"Pygmy" is a term given to breeds of animals that are smaller than the standard-sized breed. Thus, a pygmy goat is simply a miniature breed of goat. They are bred in all different colors, and as defined by the National Pygmy Goat Association, are no taller than 23 1/2 inches. Worms are a necessity in all goats; however, if there are too many, the effect of the worms is harmful instead of beneficial. If the goat is pregnant, extra precautions must be taken to ensure the health of the "kid" or baby pygmy goat.

  1. Deworming Time Periods

    • Once a pygmy doe is 1 to 1 1/2 years old, she is ready to be bred. Does then continue to breed about once a year. They can benefit from being de-wormed a few weeks before the "freshening," or birth-giving and lactating period, and regular pygmy goats are to be de-wormed two to three times a year. Thus, a pregnant pygmy goat should not be dewormed more than twice during her pregnancy. If she is to give birth just after fall, de-worm her at the end of pasture season with the other goats. If she is to give birth in the summer, de-worm her at the beginning of pasture season and in the middle of the summer.

    Herbal Medicine Mixtures

    • Any natural herbal compund will be drug-free and safe for de-worming your pregnant pygmy. Herbal products, however, are less potent than chemical products and can be used up to once a week. Of course, as with any medication intended for an animal, especially a pregnant one, consult your vet before administering it, as some herbal ingredients, such as wormwood, are not safe for pregnant goats and can weaken the liver and kidneys if overused. If you have these products, you will want to use them in larger doses every two months before the pregnancy.

    Herbal Laxatives

    • Herbal laxatives are also all-natural safe for de-worming a pregnant doe. These herbs are used with the intent of flushing the goat's system to clear it of dangerous parasites. While it is safe for emergency use, such as when a pygmy goat is pregnant, it should not be used as the main method for de-worming goats. This is because your pygmy can develop a dependency on the laxative, and over-stimulating bowel movements will put the goat under unhealthy stress.

    Unsafe Medicines for Pregnant Goats

    • Drugs are filled with chemicals that are dangerous to developing babies. Valbazen is a popular drug that is used for medicating pygmy goats with worms, but, while it is not dangerous during an entire pregnancy, it will cause abortions when used improperly and should be avoided while your doe is pregnant. LA 200 can also cause the death of a kid, but even if it survives, this medicine stops it from develop properly while in the womb.