Goat Diseases & Health Conditions (2020): Complete Farmer’s Guide to Symptoms and Treatments

The nutritional status of goats directly affect their hair coat. Hair loss can occur when there is a lack of specific nutrients that play a primary role in the growth and integrity of the hair coat.

Coughing is a prominent symptom of pneumonia in goats. Other symptoms include breathing problems, fever, lethargy, and nasal discharge. Some of the most common causes of pneumonia in goats include Pasteurella multocida, Mycoplasma mycoides, and lungworm.

There are several causes of upper respiratory tract disease in goats, the most common of which are Oestrus ovis larvae infestation, nasal tumors, and foreign bodies in the nasal passages. Clinical signs associated with these diseases include nasal discharges, lack of airflow in the nostrils, sneezing, coughing, and mild respiratory distress.

Long-term or constant exposure and inhalation of environmental irritants, such as dust or ammonia, can cause coughing and sneezing brought about by the inflammation of the respiratory passages. Nasal discharge may also be present.

Incorrect use of balling or drenching guns can possibly lead to the injury of a goat’s trachea and eventually respiratory problems.

Indigestion occurs when there is a problem in the normal movement of the rumen. High feed intake causes a form of acidosis that leads to the slowing down of the rumen motility. Affected goats appear depressed, separate from the herd, and display muscular tremors. There may be constipation which may be followed by diarrhea. Fever and increased heart and respiratory rates may also be present.

A lack of water intake can lead to dehydration which can have an impact on the stool of goats. This is also what happens when the goat is not eating enough fiber.

Enterotoxemia in goats (Overeating or Pulpy Kidney Disease) is caused by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens Type D. Typical symptoms include loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. There may be neurological symptoms and sudden death may occur. Treatment generally involves administering Clostridium perfringens C&D antitoxin, antibiotics, antacids, pain relievers, probiotics, and supportive therapy.

Pink eye in goats is caused by Mycoplasma and Chlamydia organisms. The eyes of affected goats appear reddish and inflamed and there is eye discharge. The eyelids may appear closed. Most cases resolve on their own with time even without treatment. In severe cases, there may be a need to administer antibiotics.

Mastitis is the most common problem affecting the udder or mammary glands of goats. It is characterized by the inflammation of the mammary glands which is caused by a variety of pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even injury.

Signs of mastitis include a change in the color, smell, taste, and/or texture of milk, lameness, and drop in milk yield. Serious cases of mastitis include hard bag and blue bag. In hard bag, the udder appears inflamed and abscesses and milk clots may be present. Blue bag is also called gangrene mastitis and is characterized by a change in the color of the udder to grayish or bluish. The mode of treatment depends on the severity of the mastitis but mainly involves broad spectrum antibiotic treatment.

This is a highly contagious disease that affects goats and is caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The symptoms that are manifested depends on whether it’s the external or internal type. External infections are characterized by the formation of abscesses that are filled with pus in the lymph nodes of the neck, head, limbs, and torso. Internal infections are characterized by the formation of abscess in the visceral organs such as the lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, etc. There is no successful treatment regimen for CL infections.

In adult goats, CAE is manifested as a form of arthritis while in kids it is characterized as progressive paresis. Common symptoms include distension of the joint capsule and lameness. Affected kids show weakness, depression, circling, and ataxia. There are no specific treatments for CAE. Affected goats are only given supportive treatment.

Listeriosis causes encephalitis in goats. The bacteria Listeria monocytogenes is responsible for the infection. Affected goats manifest incoordination, facial paralysis, circling, loss of appetite, and depression. Early aggressive treatment with antibiotics can possibly help with recovery which is, however very rare.

This is a type of metabolic disorder that causes neuro-muscular changes in affected goats. It is associated with thiamine deficiency. The clinical signs include convulsions, depression, incoordination, muscle tremors, and temporary blindness. Treatment during the early stages can help reverse the symptoms, however, a goat’s response to treatment depends to a large extent on the extent of the lesions in the brain.

This is a fatal disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract of goats and caused by species of Mycobacterium. Unfortunately, Johne’s disease cannot be cured with antibiotics. Persistent diarrhea is a prominent symptom.

Tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani, a type of bacteria. Signs of infection include an incoordination, stiffness of the muscles, ears and tails that are erect, voice changes, and unable to eat and drink as the muscles of the mouth and neck become paralyzed. Even with antibiotic treatment and administration of tetanus anti-toxin, tetanus can be fatal.

This is a common metabolic disease of male goats. It is characterized by the formation of stones (calculi) that lodge in the urinary tract. Affected goats have difficulty voiding urine causing them to become restless and anxious. The treatment will depend on the where the obstruction is located. Surgical intervention may be necessary in advanced cases.

This viral condition causes the formation of painful scabs and sores on the lips and gums of affected goats. Most infections, however, resolve on their own within 1-4 weeks. Antibiotic treatment may be needed if secondary infection is present.

There are many potential causes of goat diarrhea--infectious or non-infectious. Diarrhea can possibly lead to depression, dehydration, anorexia, and weakness. Without prompt medical intervention, death can occur.

A prominent symptom of coccidiosis in goats is diarrhea. The condition is caused by a group of protozoan parasites. It’s the most common cause of diarrhea in young goats. The treatment for coccidiosis include drenching with amprolium (coccidiostat) and sulfa-drugs.

This involves several disorders that cause weakness, depression, dehydration, and recumbency in affected kids. The treatment regimen involves providing an external heat source, nutritional support, and correcting dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

Pneumonia in goats can be caused by certain types of viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, environmental irritants, and aspiration of liquids. The common symptoms include respiratory problems -- difficulty breathing, mouth breathing, fever, nasal discharge, coughing, and mobility problems. The treatment will depend to a large extent on the underlying cause. Broadspectrum antibiotics may be administered to combat primary or secondary infections caused by bacteria.

Foot rot is an aggressive inflammatory condition that is characterized by the formation of a painful moist, raw lesion on the skin between the toes. Affected goats suffer from severe lameness. Treatment involves systemic treatment with antibiotics.

Bloat occurs when a goat is unable to get rid of the buildup of gases in the rumen. Gas is a normal by-product of fermentation of food in the rumen that is usually released by belching. The two major causes of bloats in goats are esophageal obstruction and inappropriate food or a change in diet. Affected goats have a noticeable bulge on the left side of their abdomen. The pain and discomfort cause them to engage in excessive bleating and listlessness. Bloat is a medical emergency and should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian ASAP.

The problem occurs when there is incomplete metabolic breakdown of fat in the body which can lead to the accumulation of ketones in the blood of affected goats. It is called pregnancy toxemia when it occurs before kidding, while it’s ketosis when it’s after kidding. Clinical symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, isolation from the herd, muscular tremors and seizures, head pressing, mobility difficulty, teeth grinding, rapid breathing, and the doe’s breath and urine may have a distinct fruity sweet smell. The treatment protocol usually includes giving molasses, propylene glycol, vitamin B-complex, and calcium gluconate.

A heavy infestation of worms or liver flukes cause the formation of a hardened swelling underneath the jaw of affected goats. In most cases, worming can alleviate symptoms while eliminating the primary causative agents. Your veterinarian may also recommend vitamin B12 injections.

Anemia occurs when the number of hemoglobin or red blood cells is abnormally low. There are various causes of the condition including improper nutrition, infestation of blood-sucking parasites. It can also be a result of internal bleeding or external bleeding with significant blood loss. There are also certain plants that cause anemia in goats. Affected goats appear lethargic and off-feed. The eye membranes (conjunctiva) appear pale pink to white instead of being bright pink or red. Treatment involves administration of vitamin B12 injections, proper nutrition, and frequent deworming.

Best Dewormers for Goats

​Goat Vaccines

Vaccines are the best way to protect goats against specific life-threatening illnesses. While some vaccines like CDT or CD&T  (Clostridium perfringens Type C and C, Tetanus) are required, there are vaccines that are given only after taking the goat’s risk factors into consideration. These include caseous lymphadenitis, contagious ecthyma (sore mouth), Pasteurella multocida, and Mannheimia hemolytica.

​Goat Vitamins & Supplements

Vitamin A is necessary for healthy skin and support vision.

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and metabolism.

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that works in conjunction with selenium.

Vitamin K is an essential factor in the blood clotting mechanism.

​Goat Medicine

Goat farmers should have these medicine essentials on hand to address various health issues.

​Antibiotics for Goats