What Are the Signs of Worm Load in Pygmy Goats?

Maximize your pygmy goats' chances of leading a long, healthy life by being able to identify signs of worm problems. All pygmy goats have worms, but the proliferation of those worms -- particularly intestinal parasites, such as Haemonchus contortus -- leads to a heavy worm load, which can quickly result in death if undetected and untreated.

  1. Mucus Membranes

    • One of the most distinctive signs of a heavy intestinal parasite load in goats is a significant change in the color of their mucous membranes. Normally bright pink or red, these membranes indicate the amount of blood circulating through the goat's body. The more intestinal parasites a goat has, the more blood they suck, which translates to unhealthy pale pink or gray mucous membranes. The easiest mucous membranes for you to monitor are inside the goat's eyelids. Check the color of these membranes once weekly by pulling down gently on the goat's lower eyelid to check its color.

    Hair and Behavioral Signs

    • A worm-infested pygmy goat often reveals signs of the infestation in behavioral changes and in the condition of its coat. A pygmy with a heavy load of worms loses energy quickly, so it may become lethargic and fatigue quite easily. A normally active, enthusiastic pygmy often becomes withdrawn and may not even come forward or jostle with the rest of the herd at feeding time. A healthy pygmy possesses a shiny coat and supple skin, while a worm-infested goat typically has a dull or rough coat.

    Physical Condition

    • Pygmy goats with heavy worm loads typically experience a gradual decline in physical condition, often despite having a hearty appetite. Whenever a normally healthy-looking pygmy goat begins to lose weight for no apparent reason, you should suspect intestinal parasites. Possible indications of a worm-linked decrease in physical condition include more prominent hip bones, pin bones and ribs, as well as significant weight loss and the sudden onset of watery diarrhea. Upon closer inspection, you may notice a slight lump on the throat beneath the jaw, a worm-caused abnormal accumulation of fluid known among goat raisers as "bottle jaw."

    Considerations

    • Collect a stool sample as soon as you notice signs of a possible worm infestation in your pygmy goats. Complete recovery relies upon prompt diagnosis; once your veterinarian identifies the worm species causing the symptoms, he can recommend an appropriate worm medication. Once you've dealt with the worm infestation, take measures to prevent future outbreaks. Always feed hay to your pygmies in a raised hay rack or container so they don't consume feces-coated hay from the ground. Additional preventive strategies include keeping the water bucket outside the pen so the goats can't soil the water and keeping the goats inside during extremely wet weather.