Cure for Mange in a Goat

Mange can make your goat look and feel terrible by causing skin irritation and hair loss. Mange mites burrow under the skin to suck the goat's blood, and this burrowing causes severe irritation such as itching and pain. Mange can spread easily from animal to animal through close contact, so if you have more than one goat you should assume that all of your goats are infected. So how do you treat your goats for mange mites?

Things You'll Need

  • Prescription mite-killing shampoo
  • Latex gloves
  • Prescription medication
  • Prescription spray-able pesticide
  • Water hose
  • Towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Call your veterinarian to examine your goat and determine what type of mange it has. Treatment will depend upon the species of mite and how bad the infestation is. There are several types of mange that affect goats and other animals. Your veterinarian will typically prescribe a shampoo, oral medication and a spray-able pesticide.

    • 2

      Separate your goats so that they do not come into contact with each other while being treated. If you kill the mange on one goat but not the others, the infestation will continue to circulate within the herd. Keep other pets away from the goats, and anywhere the goats have been. This includes dogs, cats, rabbits and cattle.

    • 3

      Put on a pair of latex gloves. Take the water hose and wet the goat thoroughly. Pour the prescription shampoo onto the goat's coat and lather it well so that it penetrates through its coat to the skin. Let the shampoo sit on the goat according to the directions on the bottle (typically five to seven minutes). Rinse the goat well and repeat.

    • 4

      Towel dry the goat's ears and nose but not the rest of its body. It is important to let the remaining medication air dry. Before allowing the goat to return to it's holding stall or cage, spray the area well with the prescription pesticide spray. Make sure that you cover all areas well including corners and inside of cracks in wood. Wash all blankets and bedding that the animal uses.

    • 5

      Give your goat the oral medication prescribed by the veterinarian. An easy way to administer medication to your goat is through food. Cut a small hole in an apple slice, grape or dog biscuit and place the pill inside of it.