× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! The Short Answer Kind of. But probably not the way you think. If you’re here because your goat just ate angel’s trumpet and you’re panicking, take a breath. I’ll give you the practical steps first, then we’ll talk about why the internet has this one mostly wrong. If your goat grabbed a leaf or two while browsing: Monitor. Watch for staggering, dilated pupils, or rapid breathing over the next few hours. You’re most likely fine. If your goat sat down and ate several good bites: Give a dose of activated charcoal, then monitor. If symptoms show up, call your vet. Okay. Now let’s talk about what’s actually going on here. What Read More
Category: Goat Health Conditions
Weather Changes & Stress: Megan’s Method for Immune Support
× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! The question I get every single time the weather shifts: “What does everyone use to support their herd’s immune system during weather changes?” Goats are resilient in many ways, but can be vulnerable to respiratory issues, so I understand the concern and want to share Megan’s Method for Immune Support. Here’s what I need you to know: goats can get colds just like humans and often these colds subside without any extra effort on our part. Be careful not to give up peace for fear of what could be. Look at what is in front of you, take a deep breath and trust. Why Weather Messes With Goat Immune Systems Temperature Read More
Dewormer Resistance in Goats
× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! Numerous studies are identifying a pattern goat producers have known for some time: goat parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to virtually every conventional dewormer available on the market today. Understanding Parasite Resistance in Livestock Management Extensive research has looked at how parasites respond to the numerous deworming options currently available. See the bibliography below for a more detailed look. With statistics as high as 90% resistance in some parasites and some treatments, we are facing a crisis that needs to be addressed. The Challenge Parasite resistance has become a significant issue in livestock management. As common dewormers become less effective, goat owners need to adapt their approach to maintain healthy animals Read More
Liver Flukes in Goats
× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! Title: Natural Approaches to Liver Fluke Control in Goats: What the Research Says When our herd first moved to the lush bottomland, it looked like paradise: green, wet, abundant. But it didn’t take long for the hidden ecosystem to show itself. Within our first year on the new pasture, we lost a goat to liver flukes. I had never seen such a rapid and stealthy decline. The diagnosis felt like a punch to the gut. We were dealing with fascioliasis — a parasitic infection caused by liver flukes (primarily Fasciola hepatica) that target the liver and bile ducts of ruminants. This disease is especially insidious in wet, snail- and slug-rich environments. Read More
What Does a Wormy Goat Look Like? Signs of Internal Parasites in Goats (With Photos)
× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! I was so excited in a geeky sort of way when this image came up in my FB group. I immediately asked the owner if I could use it because it is such a perfect representation of a wormy goat compared to a healthy goat. Images like this demonstrate far better than text could and I don’t often have subjects of my own to photograph, so I am very grateful to our Anonymous member for agreeing to let me use this photo! Let’s pick it apart and see what we can learn. Coat Condition: Healthy Goat vs. Wormy Goat The condition of the goat’s coat will tell us a lot about Read More
Selenium Deficiency or Contracted Tendons?
× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! Legs folded over at birth? Give it selenium! Actually, DON’T. This is one of the most pervasive Internet goat care myths to ever exist and it is my sworn duty to try to educate, so let’s talk about selenium deficiency, contracted tendons and slow unfolding at birth. Selenium Deficiency AKA White Muscle Disease First, let’s start with true selenium deficiency, officially known as White Muscle Disease. According to Merck, “Most kids affected by white muscle disease have been in good condition and are 2–3 months old (range, 1 week to 4 months).” As in, if you had a newborn present with selenium deficiency, that would be an exceedingly rare case, because Read More