Signs of a Wormy Goat

Worms, also called internal parasites, are very common in goats. Goats can pick up worms from eating food off the ground, where worms in an infective state reside. After entering the stomach, adult worms reproduce and the eggs pass out in the feces. The eggs hatch outside and return to an infective stage again. Measures you can take to control an infestation in your herd include providing a healthy diet to reduce susceptibility, and feeding the goats in an elevated feeder instead of on the ground.

  1. Rough Coat

    • Goats infested with worms show a rough and brittle coat, especially along the withers, between the shoulder blades at the base of the neck and fur along the spine curls back toward the tail. Faded coat color is an indication of copper deficiency.

    Anemia

    • Anemia is primarily caused by internal parasites, and can be an indication of infestation. To detect anemia in a goat, check the bottom eyelid. Secure the goat in a milking stand or have a second person hold the goat around the shoulders. Pull down on the lower eyelid and note the color. A healthy goat has bright pink or red inner membranes. A light pink or white color indicates anemia, and immediate intervention is necessary. Vitamin B12 injections and iron supplements should be administered quickly.

    Underweight

    • A goat with worms has a hard time keeping on weight because the worms are using nutrients that the goat needs. To check if a goat is underweight, run a hand along the spine, or what is also called the top line. If each vertebrae is prominent, there is a weight problem. Diarrhea is another symptom indicative of worms in the intestinal tract.

    Listless and Depressed

    • Goats are normally lively, friendly and curious about their environment. They will feed on weeds and they especially like to strip tree bark and eat leaves that are still on the tree. People have a false belief that goats will eat anything. The truth is that goats are curious about everything, whether it's a string from your jacket or a new leaf on a tree, and will try a taste. If your goat is not interested in exploring its environment, then it may be cause for concern and worms could be the problem.