Equipment
Hay feeder for one adult buck or two young bucks, inside the barn but not
in the stall. You can see a square opening where the buck can put his head through to
get to the hay and water. The size of the feeder is about 24 to 30 inches high, 24 inches wide. Height from
floor, about 18 or 24 inches. Across the front inside of the feeder put a piece of plywood or a board
about 8 to 12 inches tall so the hay lays down on the bottom of the feeder and
the board is nailed to the front, so he has to put his head down over the board
to get the hay, this way he don't pull it out easy. You can see the board on
other photos. Make sure the box is high enough off the floor so droppings can't
get in it. The electric heater buckets are great in the winter,
on the outside of the stall they can't get to the wire easily.
Please note. I am not
responsible for loss, injury or anything happening to animals
from person's following any of the information listed below,
please check with your vet first.
This information came from sources I have read over the years. However some goats can have allergic reactions to medications or
vaccines.
Feeding (our program)
Kids: From birth to two months old we recommend
gradually increase milk to 1 1/2 quarts per day. We
have fed 2 quarts per day, but you do have to watch they do not have problems. When the kids are first born until about 2
weeks old we try to feed smaller amounts 3 or 4 times a day.
Then we go to morning and evening feedings. If goat milk is in short supply you
can use calf or veal milk replacer. We had good results
purchasing veal replacer, as it is higher in fat than cow, what you want to look
for in any replacer is milk or milk products listed as the first
ingredient, soy products should not be the first ingredient. Calf replacer
is ok to use but the fat content is not quite high enough for goats. If
you are using some goat milk than calf replacer would be ok. Lamb or
kid replacer is expensive. The calf or veal works fine. Goat or dairy
grain should be offered when the kids are a couple weeks old, they eat very
little at first, but I like to see mine eat between 3/4 to 1 lb. daily morning
and evening, when they are
several months old. If the kid is to fat cut back on the grain. Add
grain slowly or kids will bloat. We also offer a good
quality mixed or orchard grass hay with the grain. They can have all the hay
they will eat. When starting pasture or nibbling on grass go slowly or
they may scour.
How to use replacer I usually sell my kids at
1 month old. When picked up I send along frozen milk. I recommend
they use goat milk the 1st day or 2. Then gradually switch over to all
replacer. The first few days use about 3/4 milk to 1/4 diluted replacer.
Then the next few days 1/2 milk 1/2 diluted replacer. Calculate how much
goat milk you have, if you have enough to stay on 1/2 and 1/2 continue, if not
use 1/4 milk to 3/4 replacer. I have found is always better to add some
goat milk. We used to raise a calf, and even 1 cup of goat milk in a
gallon of diluted replacer would keep him from scouring.
Worming:
Don't forget to worm your kids. It is best to have a fecal
sample checked by a vet. However if you can't there is a list of wormers
listed below. How often you worm depends on the situation. If the
kids are kept in a clean area, feed in feeders off the ground and have hay
racks, you have less worms. In a clean situation I would worm the kid when
it is about 2 months old. In pasture situations you may have to worm
every 3 or 4 months. I usually worm my kids and adults about 3 times
a year. If they are thin I would worm more often.
Vaccines:
We give Clostridium prefringes type C & D - tetanus toxoid to the
dam in the last month of pregnancy and to kids at 1 month and 2 months
old, then once per year. It can be purchased at Tractor Supply and over the net
at 1-800-JEFFERS it is called CD/T shot. There are 8 way shots which cover more
disease but in the Maryland area the CDT has worked for us. Tetanus
antitoxin is used when disbudded or castrated, it is temporary and last
just a few weeks.
Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis
- At the bottom of this list is somme good links to go to for more info
on CAE & other disease.
CAE is a disease most goat owners fear. It
is a slow virus and there is no vaccines available to prevent the
virus. Kids can get encephalitis (swelling of the brain), it can
show as progressive paralysis and they usually have to be destroyed. Adult
goats have the arthritis form, with swollen joints and pain. Other
symptoms in adults can be hard udder where the udder looks large and full of
milk but when milked will produce about 1 cup of milk. Adults also have wasting
disease where goats with good conformation will be thin and waste away. The most efficient transmission of the virus is through
the colostrum and milk. However it can be transmitted horizontal
from goat to goat, but is harder to pass that way. A program for
eradication is to remove offspring from positive dams immediately
after birth and feed safe (pasteurized) milk and colostrum or possibly
milk from a
negative doe or milk replacer. Isolate such offspring
permanently from the rest of the herd. Many herds are
pasteurizing milk and colostrum from their positive does and
feeding their offspring. A easier method is to only purchase
negative animals from breeders that have the whole herd tested.
Tests are available and not expensive. At this time June, 2002
Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab, Phone 509-335-9696,
charges $10 initial fee and $4.80 per test. The test is not
accurate until the goat is around a year old. There are many
other labs also doing the test, however the Elisa test is the
best at this time, the Washington lab is working on a new Elisa, but has not
been approved at this time.
Washington Lab 2001 as per phone call. I asked how long the
virus lives outside the goat, they said if kept moist it can live
several hours, if a few drops of milk is put in a bucket of water
it only lives a short time. A goat needs a good bit of milk form
a positive doe to get CAE. A herd of 80 goats that have been
negative for years had 2 bucks test positive (probably new
bucks), the does did not get the CAE from breeding. However you
don't know how long the bucks were with the does or at what point
the bucks were positive. As the lab said anything can happen. The
virus does pass easily through blood, don't use the same needle
on all your goats.
April 24, 2002 Called the lab with more questions. I talked with a lab
person and then the vet John.
If your whole herd has been negative for 2 or 3 years and you have not brought
any new does in, do you have to pasteurize?
No, there are many herds that are negative and the breeders do not
pasteurize.
Can does that are fed pasteurized milk and test negative convert to
positive?
Delayed serum converting, the vet don't believe they can, there was talk about
does converting, but they do not have any facts indicating they can. They think
the pasteurized milk could have not been at the right temperature and the doe showed
negative until stressed and then showed positive, or the goat picked the virus
up somewhere.
When was CAE discovered?
In 74, 75, 76, the USDA found a viral infection a isolated virus, and that's
when the USDA started working on it.
When CAE was discovered was 20% of the goats negative?
Yes, however not everyone tested
their goats. There could have been a larger percent of negative or
positive.
What is a passive doe?
A goat can be passive when raised on pasteurized/clostrum milk and show
positive for 6-8-12 months and then finally correctly test negative. It is
more accurate to test after the goat is 12 months old.
Caseous Lymphadenitis
By North Carolina Cooperative
Extension Service
Swollen, abscessed lymph nodes (usually under the jaw and ear, in
front of the shoulder, high in the flank, or above the udder,
scrotum or hock). The abscesses contain a thick, cheesy, greenish
colored pus is rarely fatal for the goat (unless internal
abscesses occur).
Cause
The bacterium. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, causes this
disease and is present in the abscesses. When the abscess breaks
or are lanced, the bacterium spreads from goat to goat directly
or to the surroundings and hence to other goats. It can live in
soil for a long time, thus acting as a continuing source of
infection.
Treatment
There is no good treatment for a goat with caseous. You may lance
the abscess and wash the wound with 7% iodine however, if you
do, all material from the abscess should be burned to prevent
transmission. Many veterinarians advise culling infected animals
before the disease spreads to the rest of the herd.
Prevention lies in
good management practices. Isolate new goats for 30 to 90 days
before introduction into your herd, especially those with unusual
swellings. Avoid contact at shows and sales. Avoid physical
causes of injury which would help allow infection of the skin.
Regularly clean and sanitize equipment (syringes, tattoo pliers,
ear tattoo. castration tools, etc)
Human Health Concerns
C Pseudotuberculosis can cause skin infection in humans, thus it
is advisable to wear gloves when dealing with infected animals
and to wash hands well afterwards.
Coccidiosis
Coccidia are organisms that parasites most goats. Sheep and goats have the same species of
coccidia, therefore if possible, it is best not to keep the two
species together.
How to measure if
you don't have a scale. I find it is easier to measure powder by
the tablespoon. Open the package and just start counting how many
tablespoons of powder per pack. Then break it down from there.
Sample
Agrilabs Sufadimethoxine (same as Albon) 107 gram pack = Label
directions read 1 pack (which is 12 tablespoons) to 1 gallon of
water, this makes the solution, then you dilute this solution
with 40 gallons of water. This is way to much for me. Start
breaking it down more. 3 tbls. to 1 quart of. water for the
solution then you mix this to 10 more gallon of water. This is
enough to medicate ten 100 lb. or approximately seven 150 lb. goats the 1st day. Then cut the medication in half to the 10
gallon of water from day 2 to 4. I use 5 gallon buckets so I
would mix half the solution in 5 gallons of water and when that
is empty mix the remaining solution to 5 more gallon of water.
For kids break it down to teaspoons, 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon.
So about 3/4 tsp. in 3/4 gallon of milk will feed three 25 lb.
kids or six 12 1/2 lb. kids, I just mix the small amount of
powder right in the milk. Check with your vet to be sure Albon
can be mixed with milk.
1 kilogram is 2.54 lbs. So
when the directions calls for a kilogram it's approximately 2 1/2
lbs. of body weight. Use a syringe to determine cc or ml. If you
have any questions about measurements call the local pharmacy.
A cc. or ml are the same. A mg. is a measurement, but is hard to
calculate it depends on the weight of the product. You can also
call the laboratories that make the medication for information.
There name and address is on the label, ask directory assistance
for the phone number, try 1-800-555-1212 (this number works in MD
for toll free numbers) first to see if they have a toll free
number.
Treatment:
Amprolium (brand
name Corid)10mg per 2 1/2 lbs. of body weight for 5 days (can
cause thiamine deficiency used long term)
Sodium Sulfamethazine
12.5% (brand name Sulmet) solution give orally for 5
days. 2cc per 2 lbs. of body weight the first day and 1cc per 2
lbs. body weight the next 4 days, in milk or water that the
animal will finish in 1 day. If the animal drinks 2 bottles a day
give half in the morning and half in the evening. I add a little
sugar to make it taste better. I find the dry powder Sulmet is
easier to use, I follow the dosage for cattle. It is hard to
figure out the dose, but you can break it down by measuring the
pack contents by the tablespoon, then calculating until you get
it to the approximate weight of the goat. I mix the dry powder
with a little yogurt and administer it in a large syringe (cut
off the tip) as you would a paste wormer. Then feed a bottle of
milk or water......... Withhold milk 96 hrs.
Sulfadimethoxine (Albon)
bolus or drinking water solution, follow label
directions. There is a 40% injectable dose, give it SQ, the 1st
day give .63 cc per 10 lbs. then day 2 to 5 give
1/2 dose. The injectable can also be mixed with an equal amount
of water and given orally, it may taste better with a little
sugar, or check with your vet to see if it can be added to milk
for kids. .........Withhold milk 60hrs.
Sulfaquinoxaline (brand name Sulquin 6-50) follow label
directions.
There also feed additives already
in certain feed such as Bovatec and decox, that work well if used
at least 28 days.
Check with your vet to see which additives he recommends.
Sulfonamide's are
used to treat acute systemic or local infections . Disease
treated include actinobacillosis, mastitis, merits, coccidiosis, colibacillosis, respiratory infections,
toxoplasmosis, polyarthritis, pododermatitis. They are more
effective administered early. Treatment should not exceed 72 hrs.
There are side effects due to hypersensitity or direct toxic
effects. There is a difference between the pharmacokinetic values
of sulfonamide's. Such as the plasma half/life in cattle is 10
hours and 2.9 hrs in pigs. Some are given more frequent than
others. Follow label instructions. Milk discard is only a general
guideline. It must be determined by each country.
There are at several Sulfonamide's
- Sulfamethazine 96 hr milk disccard recommended for cows
and pigs. Sulfathiazole recommended for horse,
sheep, cow, pig milk discard ? Sulfamethazine recommended
for cattle. Sulfadiazine recommended for all
species. Sulfadimethoxine all species 60 hr milk discard. See more above.
Drug milk withdraw
Always read label directions first
.......................discard milk for times below
after last dose
Amoxicillin (IM).............2 days
Chlortetacycline.............10 days
Erythromycin.................72 hrs.
Oxytetracycline.............3 to 5 days long
acting 10 days
Procaine Penicillin G...(IM)...3 days
Sulfabromethazine.........96 hrs.
Sulfadimethoxidine........60 hrs.
Sulfamethazine .............96hrs
Tylosin..........................21 days
Benzathine Cephapirin intrammary.....3 days
after calving-milk not be used for food ( I don't quite get what
this means)
Sodium Cerphapirin intrammary........4 days
Udder Infusions are safe usually after 2-3 days
List of Dewormers and milk
withdraw
Check the labels on the dewormer
for more information. Most dewormers are tested for cattle,
horses, pigs and sheep. Unfortunately we have to use what is available. I don't know if
any has been tested for goats.
Albendazole* oral dosing
removes most major adult gastrointestinal parasites and many of
the larval stages. Albendazole possess activity against inhibited
fourth stage larvae of Ostertagia spp.
I use the cattle dose, 5 day milk
out.
Fenbendazole*
(Panacur) broad spectrum dewormer will kill tapeworms - 2.5cc per
100 lbs. milk out 96 hrs.
Ivermectin (Ivomec injectable, Zimectrin
horse paste, Eqvalan horse paste) Is not for use for lactating
does. The drug is a by-product of fermentation and is in the does
milk for one month and will alter the curd formation. It stings
and the does will jump around after a injection. It is safe for
pregnant does. It covers a large range of worms including mange
mites and lice. I use the cattle dose 1ml per 110 lbs.-When I use
it on milking does I withhold milk 30-35 days. I have also used it
on dogs for mites .18cc per 25 lbs. (notice the
point before the .18 a very small amount) Heartworm .01cc
per 11 lbs. Check with your vet before use, some Collie dogs are
more sensitive to it, and can use only a very low dose.
Levamisol (Levasole, Tramisol, Ripercol)
A good wormer for strongyles including lung worm for cattle,
sheep, goats, pigs and poultry. Dosage 2.5 cc per hundred lbs.
Read label. Do not over dose. Levamisol possesses activity
against benzimidazole resistant parasites.* The injections do
sting.
Oxfendazole* broad spectrum dewormer 5
day milk out
Pyrantel (Strongid drench and horse
paste) safe general dewormer. Not recommended for lactating does.
Safe for pregnant does. Dose 5cc per 100 lbs. However I did find
a later article with a 5 day milk out but do not know the source.
Pyrantel can also be used for dogs. Dog supply catalogues carry
it. I believe I have used the paste horse wormer for dogs at 1cc
per 10 lbs.
* Febendazole, Oxfendazole and Albendazole are benzimidazoles.
Sources ...Mid Atlantic Goat Seminar-Dairy
Goat Conference-Merck
Mastitis Treatment
For signs of mastitis there are
many good websites, especially North Caroline Extension
Cooperative Service below. However there is usually little
information on what medication to use. Below are medications
recommended to me by reliable sources. Always check with your vet
first. It is always best to take a milk sample to the vet to be
cultured before you treat, if I am unable to get to the vet, I at
least take a sample and refrigerate it, for a later culture if
needed. Once you start treatment, a culture will do no good, as
the antibiotic will give false readings.
I purchase the cow intramammary infusion and use half a
tube into each teat, follow directions on label.
Treatment:
Streptococcus Agalactiae,
Strep uberis, Strep dys, Strep zooepidemicus
Intramammary infusion - Penicillin
G (excellent), Erythromycin (excel), Ampicillin (excel), Sodium
cloxacillin, Chlortetacycline, Oxytetracycline, some work better
than others. Some brand names are Forte or Albacillin, Hetacin-K,
Cefa-Lak/Today, Penicillin, to list a few.
Straphylococci aureus (peracute and acute)
Intramammary infusion - Erythromycin, (excel), Cloxacillin
(excel), Chlortetracycline, Neomycin (excel),
Systemic - Dihydrostreptomycin injected intramuscularly,
Chlortetracycline injected intravenously, Erythromycin (good)
intravenously.
E coli./coliform (peracute
and acute)
Intramammary infusion - Ampicillin (good) Streptomucin
(good), Polymyxin B (okay), Terramycin, Hetacin-K,
Cefa-Lak/Today.
Remember there are always newer
drugs that come on the market
Plants that effect milk
Anemone
Taints taste & odour
Bracken
bitter milk, butter, cheese & reduces
milk production
Buckhorn &
Buttercups
reduces milk
Butterwort
taints taste and odor
Chamomiles
reduces milk, taints taste and odor
Onion & Garlic
taints taste and odor
Ivy
reduces milk, taints taste and odor
Mints
taints taste and odor,
prevents clotting
Oak Leaves and acorns
reduces milk, bitter milk
Turnips and Brassica (cabbage family)
taints taste and odor, unpleasant milk and
butter
Urinary Calculi
You should be familiar with
urinary calculi (stones) if you own a buck or wether, incidence
is higher for a kid that is castrated at a early age. Signs
include abdominal discomfort, possibly kicking at the stomach,
straining to urinate, he may dribble urine. The condition
requires prompt veterinary attention. If the condition is not
relieved within 24 hours he may die of ureic poisoning. In some
cases the stone can be easily removed, depending where it is
located. If the stone it farther up it may be necessary to do
surgery, called perinea urethostomy. This procedure is also
expensive. According to Merck Veterinary Manual in early cases,
smooth muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory agents may help,
treating early using ammonium chloride at a rate of
7-10g/head/day for a 30kg is a satisfactory method for acidifying
the urine (for treatment only).
Prevention is better than the cure. Encourage bucks to drink
plenty of water, possibly take warm water to him on the winter,
keep buckets clean and water fresh. Adding a little salt 1-4% to
the grain is beneficial., Ammonium Chloride can be added to the
grain at 2%, however check with your vet first. Grain should be a
2-1 calcium to phosphorus ratio. I have not had any problems with
this condition however, I do add ammonium chloride purchased from
the pharmacy in grain occasionally. Blue Seal Feed Co. does make
a lamb finisher that contains it, don't feed your buck/wethers
any more grain than necessary. They should have a well balanced
diet and adequate vitamin A.
This websites
has almost anything
you need to know about goat health
Washing State University http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu
type goat in the search box
