When To Worm Goats After Kidding
When To Worm Goats After Kidding
This may not be on your radar, but if you own a goat farm or know anyone who does, it’s important to understand when goats should be wormed. This can help them get enough nutrients and avoid infection. So, here’s everything you need to know about when to worm goats after kidding:
Don’t worm immediately after kidding.
While you may be tempted to worm your goats immediately after kidding, there are a few reasons why this is not the best idea.
First of all, when goats are pregnant they produce milk with an increased level of antibodies that helps protect the babies from infection during their first month of life. If you give them a dewormer at this time it will kill those antibodies and leave your kids vulnerable to parasites like worms and coccidia, which are present in most pastures where goats graze.
Second, if you worm too early and get rid of those protective antibodies before your kid has started eating solid food (this usually happens around 2 weeks old), you risk getting rid of some beneficial bacteria as well and increasing risk for scours or diarrhea – two things every goat owner wants to avoid!
Inspect the goats’ manure to determine whether they need a worming.
- Inspect the goats’ manure to determine whether they need a worming. You can do this before kidding if you have access to fecal samples from other goats in your herd, but if you’re just starting out with goats, it’s best to wait until after kidding so that you know exactly what kind of worms your goat has.
- Check for worms in the droppings. Look for small white pieces or thin strings; these are signs that a worm is moving through their system and leaving part of itself behind as it goes.
- Check for worms in their mouths by looking at their teeth; if there are any gaps or missing teeth, it means they may have been infected by tapeworms or roundworms while grazing on pastureland (tapeworms tend to come from grasses such as rye). If there’s no evidence of them having had tapeworms before coming into contact with other animals (such as mice), then there’s probably nothing left inside their digestive tract at all!
Make sure you are using the right wormer.
- Make sure you are using the right wormer. Wormers intended for sheep, goats and cattle are different, so make sure to get the right one and use it properly! For example, if you have a goat with worms and you give it a wormer meant for cows, that can kill your goat instead of treating its problem. Also, don’t forget about dosages: if you think your animal doesn’t need any worming because it hasn’t been eating much lately (in which case it may not be able to hold down large doses of worm medicine), then consider giving half-doses until their appetite returns so they can process them better. And finally: always buy organic!
Consult a veterinarian if symptoms persist.
If you are unsure about the goat’s condition, seek veterinary help. You can provide a veterinarian with important information on the condition of your goat and her symptoms. This will allow them to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Your veterinarian may ask:
- When did you first see this or notice this symptom?
- What has been done for this animal so far?
- What have you tried but failed to work?
Get help if you need it!
If you have any questions about worm goats after kidding, or need help with the process, contact your local veterinarian. They will be able to provide you with advice on treatment and medication that is safe for both people and goats. If you are not sure who to call, ask your local goat association or 4-H chapter for recommendations on vets who have experience treating goats. Vets can also be found in the phone book under “Veterinarians” or by searching online through websites like Yelp!
If you notice any of the symptoms described here, it’s best to consult with a trusted veterinarian as soon as possible. They will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis, and they may also recommend a preventative worming program for your herd in order to avoid these problems in the future.