Sickness & disease
Sickness & Diseases in Goats
All quoted ("") material and excerpts on this page are from:
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/as/as-595-commondiseases.pdf
** this is the only page without original content
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Prevention is the Best Game Plan
"Biosecurity begins with the goal of preventing the spread of infectious agents from infected to susceptible animals. A biosecurity plan must take into account all modes of transmission, including direct animal contact within a herd, contact with wild animals or other domesticated species, airborne transmission, contaminated feed or water, and visitors or vehicles that come onto the farm.
The most basic method of disease control inindividual herds/flocks is to avoid introduction ofdisease agents. If possible and practical, producersshould keep a closed herd/flock. Most diseases of a contagious nature are introduced into operations when new animals are added. Disease agents can be introduced when breeding animals are added to an operation; when animals co-mingle at a fair, show or sale; or when animals contact wildlife. If aclosed herd/flock is not feasible, then use an animalquarantine program. A useful isolation program consists of a facility that prevents co-mingling of animals for at least 30 days, including separate water supplies. Restricting traffic in and out of a facility canreduce the potential introduction of pathogenic agents. Producers should minimize the number of people and vehicles that enter premises or require a sanitation and disinfectant plan to prevent spread of disease agents. Other important management tasks that can prevent or help minimize disease issues are sanitation of facilities (especially shared livestock trailers), good ventilation or air turnover, proper stocking or animal density rates, and a good nutrition program." - https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/as/as-595-commondiseases.pdf
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Keeping your goats healthy starts with prevention.
The biggest rule: Try not to introduce disease in the first place.
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Avoid bringing in new animals unless necessary
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If you do, quarantine them for at least 30 days
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Limit contact with:
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Other livestock
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Wildlife
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Shared trailers or equipment
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Be mindful of visitors, vehicles, and anything entering your property
Good management also includes:
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Clean living areas
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Proper ventilation
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Not overcrowding your goats
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Providing proper nutrition
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Overall Evaluation
"To recognize clinical signs of diseases common to sheep and goats, it is important to be familiar with what is normal. Producers should assess the herd orflock’s general health on a regular basis, includingvital signs, body condition, and coat.
A normal temperature range for sheep and goats is between 101.5°F and 103.5°F. The respiration rate for sheep and goats is about 12 to 15 breaths per minute (depending on environmental temperature), and heart rate should be between 70 and 80 beats per minute.
Animals should exhibit a healthy hair coat or fleece,while maintaining a body condition score appropriate to their production stage. Both coat and body condition score are good indications of nutritional adequacy and overall health. Signs of an unhealthy animal includeisolation from the rest of the herd/flock, abnormaleating habits, depression, scouring or diarrhea, abnormal vocalization, teeth grinding, or any other abnormal behavior." - https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/as/as-595-commondiseases.pdf
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Overall Health Check (What’s Normal?)
To know when something is wrong, you need to know what’s normal.
Healthy goats should have:
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Bright eyes and a healthy coat
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A good appetite
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Normal behavior (not isolating themselves)
Normal vital signs:
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Temperature: 101.5°F – 103.5°F
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Breathing: 12–15 breaths per minute
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Heart rate: 70–80 beats per minute
Warning signs to watch for:
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Isolation from the herd
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Not eating
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Diarrhea (scours)
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Teeth grinding
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Unusual noises or behavior
If something feels “off,” trust your instincts—early action matters.
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Veterinary Care
"Many sheep and goat producers complain that they cannot find a veterinarian who is knowledgeable orinterested in sheep and goats. Some veterinarians are very interested in small ruminants and act as important resources for producers. Producers share some of the blame for not attracting knowledgeable animal health professionals to practices that include sheep and goats. Too often, producers only utilize a veterinarian when they have an emergency. Often, these emergency situations do not turn out as successfully as the veterinarian or the producer would like. However, producers can adopt strategies to attract a veterinarian to service their animal-health needs. First they should cultivate a relationship with the veterinarian as a trained professional to help in whole- herd health maintenance and not just as a source of free information or emergency service. Proactive management tasks such as breeding soundness exams on rams or bucks, tailoring a vaccination program tothe producer’s farm, purchasing supplies and vaccinesfrom the vet, and using their services for other animals such as household pets are just a few examples. Additionally, producers can work together to obtain services from a veterinarian. Producers who coordinate with other sheep and goat producers in a geographic region are more likely to attract the attention of a veterinarian who is interested in sheep and goats. Advice and treatment from a veterinarian is almost an absolute in preventing and controlling healthproblems in a herd/flock. Veterinarians can recommendvaccination programs; help with parasite control programs; assist with reproductive management; deal with emergency situations; prescribe drugs that may be useful, but are not approved for sheep or goats; do necropsies on dead animals; and perform a host of other important management tasks." Before you bring your goats home, find and secure a veterinarian. - https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/as/as-595-commondiseases.pdf
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Takeaway
One of the most important things you can do as a goat owner is build a relationship with a veterinarian BEFORE you need one.
Many people wait until there’s an emergency—but that often leads to worse outcomes.
Instead:
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Find a vet experienced with goats (or willing to learn)
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Use them for routine care, not just emergencies
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Work with them on:
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Vaccination plans
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Parasite control
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Breeding and overall herd health
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Pro tip: If you and other local goat owners work together, it’s easier to attract and keep a good livestock vet in your area.
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Common Issues
Again, I love this PDF by Perdue. Conditions and definitions and treatments can be found through this link:
https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/as/as-595-commondiseases.pdf​
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Testing
Testing should be done once a year or anytime a new animal is being added to your herd. I cannot stress this enough because if a disease like Johnees is spread to your herd you have to euthanize your whole herd and wait several years before re-introducing goats to the property. Great links to use for testing: