The Second edition of my goat production manual will finally be available sometime during the summer. Since the publication of the first edition in 1998 somethings have changed but many things remain the same. Parasite control and treatment has changed significantly,but still there are no deworming medications approved for goats in Canada.
Steps to Internal Parasite Control:
1)Identify the worm burden present in your goats:
This can be done by taking random fresh fecal samples from the various groups that you maintain. These fecal samples should be taken just prior to moving the goats from one area to new area as the old area may be contaminated but the a new area may notbe
The second edition outlines the procedures you can follow to do your own parasite identification and burden
2) Strategically Deworm
Once you establish the parasite burden in each group of goats than you can strategically dewormed them. Remember it is necessary for goats to have a small population of worms to maintain their immunity. Overzealous use or underdosing of deworming medications can lead too a population of parasites that are resistant to the dewormer.
Recommended reading:
The Biology of the Goat-Internal Parasites
University of Florida - External Parasites
Have you heard of the FAMACHA method to determine parasites?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I had not heard of this method. I researched it and found that it is a colour chart that measures the pinkness of the mucous membranes in the eye. The whiter the membranes the more parasites the goat has. This test is only applicabile to the barberpole (Hemonchus contortus) a worm that inhabits the abomasum and sucks blood from the host causing anemia. I personally have had no experience with it, perhaps others have.
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