The Health & Care of Sick Goats

Goats are herd animals that can become ill from a number of sources, such as infected or dirty grazing pastures that can result in worms and parasites. When a goat becomes ill, the blood is diverted to vital organs for survival and can be taken from the digestive systems and muscle of the body. An owner must ensure the blood circulates through the body of a sick goat.

  1. Illness

    • A goat's health can be maintained through the use of vaccinations as a preventative measure to avoid infection. Vaccinations reduce the risk of bacterial-based illnesses, viruses and parasites. Young goats, known as kids, can be vaccinated against illnesses, along with older goats during periods of outbreak for an illness. For example, a common parasitic problem within goats is the Barber Pole Worm, which can spread quickly through a herd and can be treated with anti-parasitic drugs that should be administered orally. Animals lying on their sides should be moved every hour to ensure proper blood circulation.

    General Health

    • One of the first tasks when a goat appears to be ill is taking the animal's temperature with a rectal thermometer. The temperature of a goat generally lies between 101.5 degrees F and 103.5 degrees F. When the temperature is above or below this range, medical care is usually required. A fever or inflammation is generally treated with antibiotics. As herd animals, goats are happiest and healthiest when part of a group. A goat standing far away from a herd can be a sign of a female goat preparing to give birth or the sign of an illness.

    Hydration

    • Caring for a sick goat generally requires the administering of fresh, clean water because dehydration can take place quickly. When sick, a goat is commonly placed in a pen for observation and to prevent the spread of any disease or illness through the rest of a herd, with water and food readily available. When adult goats are ill and dehydrated, rehydration with electrolytes is recommended by Onion Creek Ranch. A stomach tube can be inserted into the throats of adults and kids for rehydration. In adult kids, the tube should be pushed into the back of the mouth as far as possible to avoid the tube being bitten into pieces by the animal. When swallowed, these plastic pieces must be removed by surgery.

    Feeding

    • When ill, a goat often finds it difficult to digest food. Green leaves from freshly cut branches are often the simplest food to digest. Processed foods aren't recommended for sick goats because they can be difficult to digest. Undigested foods within the goat's stomach can restrict recovery from an illness. In newborn kids, milk is often difficult to digest when a kid is sick. Supply fluids instead of solid foods.