How to Treat Goats for Ticks & Fleas

Goats are susceptible to a variety of external parasites, including fleas, mosquitoes and ticks. Treating goats for these parasites is similar as it is for cats or dogs, but there are remedies available that are specifically formulated for goat usage.

Things You'll Need

  • Flea, tick medications for goats
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Instructions

  1. Treat Goats for Parasites

    • 1

      Treat for fleas. Fleas can infect goats just like they infect any other animal. The fleas may land on the goats for a short time in order to drink their blood, or they may create a semipermanent residence for themselves on the goat's hide. Domestic animals can develop anemia if they are bitten by fleas too many times, and fleas from the goats can spread to other farm animals, including herding dogs. To treat goats for fleas, use an insecticide such as Permethrin II, which comes in pour-on, spray and dip varieties.

    • 2

      Treat for ticks. Ticks tend to infest the goat population in spring and summer months, and they can cause blood loss and transmission of diseases if they go unchecked. To treat goats for ticks, you can use a product such as Permethrin or Zeta-Pymethrin. You may need to reapply the treatment after a few weeks, because some tick populations can infect more than one host within one lifetime and the problem may persist after the initial treatment.

    • 3

      Treat for keds. Keds, also known as sheep ticks, mainly infect sheep but can also bother goats. Keds suck an animal's blood in much the same way that mosquitoes do, and their bites can cause itching and irritation. Keds generally infect a goat population during the winter and early spring, and exposure to several bites can lead to anemia. To treat keds, you can use a spray, dip or hand-dusted insecticide such as Python Dust.