How to Control Internal Parasites in Goats

After years of treating goats for worms and other parasites with various medications, the parasites are becoming drug resistant. This has made parasitic infections in goats more deadly and problematic for goat owners. The barber pole worm̵1;coccidia̵1; and the meningeal worm̵1;or brain worm̵1;are among the common internal parasites in goats. By following feeding and housing protocols and properly administering recommended drugs, you can control internal parasites in your goats.

Things You'll Need

  • Parasite medications
  • Large pasture
  • Shrubs and bushes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Give your goats lots of space. Overcrowding makes goats more susceptible to diseases such as parasites. Each goat should have at least 200 square feet of space.

    • 2

      Give your goats shrubs, tree branches and bushes to eat . This will keep them from grazing on the ground where parasites live.

    • 3

      Breed goats that are immune from internal parasites. A genetic component is believed to help goats resist the harmful effects of the parasites.

    • 4

      Rotate pastures. If possible, fence your pasture into sections and allow one pasture to remain empty each year. This will reduce the number of parasite in that area.

    • 5

      Use drugs only when necessary and follow the dosing instructions. Over-use of anti-parasitic drugs will lead to drug resistance.

    • 6

      Rotate the parasitic drugs you use to prevent the parasites from becoming resistant to any one drug.