Instructions
Practice good sanitation habits. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida states that infected feces is the primary mode of roundworm and coccidia transmission. Clean feed and water buckets regularly, placing them in elevated locations or removing them from the feeding area when not in use so your goats can̵7;t defecate in them. Never feed your goats hay or grain on the ground, especially growing kids, since they are particularly susceptible to internal parasite infection. IFAS also suggests that you improve drainage in areas that your goats frequent to minimize parasite infection.
Utilize preventative grazing habits. Internal parasites such as the barber pole worm are present on shorter grasses in a pasture; rotate your goats to different pastures on a regular basis to keep them from having to graze on very short grass. Co-graze your goats with other animal species, such as cattle, that can consume roundworm-infected grass without developing an infection.
Conduct a thorough physical evaluation of your goats at least once weekly. Conducting this regular check can maximize your ability to limit parasite infections to just one animal, rather than allowing the parasites to infect your entire herd. Run your hand over each goat̵7;s hair coat, visually inspecting for excessive hair loss, flakes of loose skin, areas of skin irritation, and any crusty lesions or bumps that might indicate infection with an external parasite. Check each goat̵7;s inside lower eyelid, which should be bright pink to red in color in a healthy goat; pale pink or gray inner eyelids indicate a heavy barber pole worm infection that you should treat immediately. Don̵7;t forget to check daily for diarrhea, weight loss and decreased appetite, all possible signs of internal parasite infection, according to Ray Mobley, director of the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Office.
Maintain and regularly use an isolation pen for your goats. If any of your goats show signs of parasite infection or seem to be unthrifty, immediately place them in your isolation pen in order to reduce the chances of passing infection on to the rest of your animals. Obtain a definitive diagnosis from your veterinarian and provide prompt treatment for any parasite-infected animals, keeping them in the isolation pen until all signs of infection are gone. Isolate new goats for several weeks before introducing them to your herd to make sure they don̵7;t have parasite infections.
How to Control Internal & External Parasites in Goats
Goats can suffer from a range of both internal and external parasites, including round worms, coccidia, mites and lice. According to the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Office, external parasites cause skin problems that can reduce your goats̵7; weight gains and milk production. Uncontrolled, the most common internal parasite, the roundworm Haemonchus contortus (also known as the barber pole worm) can wreak havoc on your goats̵7; health, causing severe anemia, increased susceptibility to disease, and death. Maintaining a strict preventative regimen is essential to controlling both internal and external parasites in goats.