So it's been a really long time since I've shared anything. My goal is to create a new post at least once a month regarding common ailments, feed concerns, and care of dairy goats. Occasionally some fun and exciting happenings will also be shared.
First off is a great article on goats and coccidia as well as the prevention of coccidiosis (the outbreak of an overload of coccidia in the goats system). All goats carry some level of coccidia that are host specific and cannot be passed on to humans, dogs, horses, chickens, etc. The exception is goats and sheep may pass some forms of parasites with each other so it is not recommended to share pastures with sheep and goats.
Here's a great write up that Sweetlix has on their website regarding coccidia in goats.
https://www.sweetlix.com/research-articles/goats/wet-summer-ideal-for-goat-coccidia/
"Coccidiosis represents a major economic drain on goat herds. Hot, wet conditions during summer are ideal for development and transmission of coccidia. In order to properly protect your investment against Coccidiosis, it is necessary to understand what coccidia are and how they proliferate.
What is Coccidia? Coccidia are single-celled parasites that live in goats’ intestines. All adult goats harbor coccidia in their gut, even healthy goats. Coccidiosis is the disease that results from uncontrolled infection (proliferation) of coccidia. Coccidiosis symptoms can be either subclinical or clinical. Subclinical cases result in decreased feed intake, reduced weight gain and unthrifty appearance and are difficult to detect due to an absence of diarrhea. Undiagnosed subclinical cases of coccidiosis are quite common. If left untreated, subclinical cases can develop into clinical disease. Clinical coccidiosis can vary in severity. Some goats experience a slight loss of appetite and decreased weight gain along with light, short-term diarrhea. Severe cases of coccidiosis result in dark, bloody, foul smelling diarrhea; diarrhea containing mucous and blood; loss of weight; rough hair coat; dehydration; and, in some cases, death within 24 hours.
Young, sick and stressed goats are most susceptible to coccidiosis symptoms. Kids less than 5 months of age are particularly susceptible since their immune system is often still developing. Stresses that can induce a coccidiosis outbreak include: weaning, drastic weather changes, rapid feed changes, transport and rough/stressful handling.
Continuous exposure to a particular species of coccidia stimulates an immune response that results in limited protection against that particular species of coccidia. This is why adult goats tend to be resistant to the development of coccidiosis. Also, kids raised in pasture conditions will often develop immunity on their own. However, severe challenge or stress can depress the goat’s natural immunity to the point that disease is induced. Goats that survive usually become immune; however, they may be permanently unthrifty or stunted due to extensive damage to the intestinal lining. This damaged lining is unable to effectively absorb nutrients.
Coccidia Lifecycle: In order to manage the impact of coccidia, it is necessary to understand their lifecycle. The coccidian lifecycle begins when goats consume infective oocysts. Once inside the goat, coccidia are released from the oocyst and invade intestinal cells. Rapid multiplication occurs resulting in the destruction of intestinal cells. In roughly 21 days, oocysts (coccidia eggs) are formed and passed in the feces. Oocysts are not immediately infective once they are shed into the environment. Proper moisture, temperature and oxygen levels are required for oocysts to become infective. In general, the warmer the weather the faster the development into infective oocysts. When conditions are right, this process can occur in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Once oocysts become infective they are very hardy and can remain viable in the environment for up to a year; however, 2 to 3 months is the norm. Infective oocysts survive best in moist, shaded areas and can even survive freezing temperatures. When a goat consumes an infective oocyst the process starts over again.
Coccidiostats are drugs that inhibit the development of coccidia. Remember that these do not kill coccidia. Normally, use of coccidiostats prior to anticipated susceptible periods are an effective management tool in preventing and controlling coccidiosis. Coccidiostats that are presently labeled for use in goats include monensin (Rumensin®) and decoquinate (Deccox®). However, use of coccidiostats alone may not provide adequate control under some conditions. Contact your veterinarian for recommendations for strategic use of these and other drugs in the control of coccidiosis.
Goats fed a properly balanced diet are better able to mount an immune response and recover from parasitic challenge than animals that are deficient in one or more nutrients. Proper nutrition involves providing adequate amounts of protein, energy, water, minerals and vitamins. Antibodies, which fight parasitic invaders, are composed of protein. Energy is needed to drive the metabolic functions involved in mounting an immune response. Proper hydration is absolutely necessary for metabolic function. Several minerals and vitamins are also directly involved in the immune response.
Summary: Wet conditions result in ideal conditions for the development of coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is a potentially fatal and economically significant disease of goats caused by an intestinal protozoan. Kids up to weaning age are most susceptible to coccidiosis. Control of coccidiosis involves a combination of drugs and management practices that limit exposure of goats to infective oocytes and minimize stress. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations for strategic use of drugs in response to coccidiosis outbreaks and to help prevent future outbreaks."
It is not recommended to feed coccidiostats to lactating diary goats as the milk is then unsafe for human consumption. However, it is great for kids that have been separated and newly weaned to keep the coccidia in check till the kids have built up a healthy immunity. It is recommended to feed it until they are at least 6 months. Non lactating does and bucks can also be fed feeds containing a coccidiostat as a preventative measure for coccidiosis in wet and warm areas.
NC State University shares:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/coccidiosis-the-most-common-cause-of-diarrhea-in-young-goats
"How to Minimize the Risk and/or to Prevent Coccidiosis?
Good husbandry practices are the best preventive measures against coccidiosis. Regular removal of manure and wasted feed, not feeding on the ground, designing feeders and water systems that minimize fecal contamination, providing a clean source of water, cleaning water tanks and feeders regularly, making sure that watering systems do not leak and that sufficient sunlight enters buildings are examples of such husbandry practices. If goats are kept on solid floors during the winter, maintaining clean and dry bedding is important.
On farms where coccidiosis problems keep recurring, it may be advisable to treat the herd preventively.
Several choices are available depending on the situation:
When goats come down with the signs of coccidiosis:
AuthorsJM Luginbuhl
Extension Specialist (Goats & Forage Systems)
Crop and Soil Sciences
Kevin Anderson
Professor, Ruminant Health and Production Medicine
Veterinary Medicine"
There is also a wholistic/herbal option for preventing and/or treating coccidiosis in goats. Fir Meadow LLC has a wonderful blend called GI Soother that is formulated by a master herbalist to be used in diarrheal incidents in livestock, pets, and poultry from coccidiosis, bacterium, ulcers, pasty vent, and barberpole worms.
It is available here: https://www.firmeadowllc.com/store/p811/GI_Soother%E2%84%A2_Digestive_System_Support_16_oz.html
First off is a great article on goats and coccidia as well as the prevention of coccidiosis (the outbreak of an overload of coccidia in the goats system). All goats carry some level of coccidia that are host specific and cannot be passed on to humans, dogs, horses, chickens, etc. The exception is goats and sheep may pass some forms of parasites with each other so it is not recommended to share pastures with sheep and goats.
Here's a great write up that Sweetlix has on their website regarding coccidia in goats.
https://www.sweetlix.com/research-articles/goats/wet-summer-ideal-for-goat-coccidia/
"Coccidiosis represents a major economic drain on goat herds. Hot, wet conditions during summer are ideal for development and transmission of coccidia. In order to properly protect your investment against Coccidiosis, it is necessary to understand what coccidia are and how they proliferate.
What is Coccidia? Coccidia are single-celled parasites that live in goats’ intestines. All adult goats harbor coccidia in their gut, even healthy goats. Coccidiosis is the disease that results from uncontrolled infection (proliferation) of coccidia. Coccidiosis symptoms can be either subclinical or clinical. Subclinical cases result in decreased feed intake, reduced weight gain and unthrifty appearance and are difficult to detect due to an absence of diarrhea. Undiagnosed subclinical cases of coccidiosis are quite common. If left untreated, subclinical cases can develop into clinical disease. Clinical coccidiosis can vary in severity. Some goats experience a slight loss of appetite and decreased weight gain along with light, short-term diarrhea. Severe cases of coccidiosis result in dark, bloody, foul smelling diarrhea; diarrhea containing mucous and blood; loss of weight; rough hair coat; dehydration; and, in some cases, death within 24 hours.
Young, sick and stressed goats are most susceptible to coccidiosis symptoms. Kids less than 5 months of age are particularly susceptible since their immune system is often still developing. Stresses that can induce a coccidiosis outbreak include: weaning, drastic weather changes, rapid feed changes, transport and rough/stressful handling.
Continuous exposure to a particular species of coccidia stimulates an immune response that results in limited protection against that particular species of coccidia. This is why adult goats tend to be resistant to the development of coccidiosis. Also, kids raised in pasture conditions will often develop immunity on their own. However, severe challenge or stress can depress the goat’s natural immunity to the point that disease is induced. Goats that survive usually become immune; however, they may be permanently unthrifty or stunted due to extensive damage to the intestinal lining. This damaged lining is unable to effectively absorb nutrients.
Coccidia Lifecycle: In order to manage the impact of coccidia, it is necessary to understand their lifecycle. The coccidian lifecycle begins when goats consume infective oocysts. Once inside the goat, coccidia are released from the oocyst and invade intestinal cells. Rapid multiplication occurs resulting in the destruction of intestinal cells. In roughly 21 days, oocysts (coccidia eggs) are formed and passed in the feces. Oocysts are not immediately infective once they are shed into the environment. Proper moisture, temperature and oxygen levels are required for oocysts to become infective. In general, the warmer the weather the faster the development into infective oocysts. When conditions are right, this process can occur in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Once oocysts become infective they are very hardy and can remain viable in the environment for up to a year; however, 2 to 3 months is the norm. Infective oocysts survive best in moist, shaded areas and can even survive freezing temperatures. When a goat consumes an infective oocyst the process starts over again.
Coccidiostats are drugs that inhibit the development of coccidia. Remember that these do not kill coccidia. Normally, use of coccidiostats prior to anticipated susceptible periods are an effective management tool in preventing and controlling coccidiosis. Coccidiostats that are presently labeled for use in goats include monensin (Rumensin®) and decoquinate (Deccox®). However, use of coccidiostats alone may not provide adequate control under some conditions. Contact your veterinarian for recommendations for strategic use of these and other drugs in the control of coccidiosis.
Goats fed a properly balanced diet are better able to mount an immune response and recover from parasitic challenge than animals that are deficient in one or more nutrients. Proper nutrition involves providing adequate amounts of protein, energy, water, minerals and vitamins. Antibodies, which fight parasitic invaders, are composed of protein. Energy is needed to drive the metabolic functions involved in mounting an immune response. Proper hydration is absolutely necessary for metabolic function. Several minerals and vitamins are also directly involved in the immune response.
Summary: Wet conditions result in ideal conditions for the development of coccidiosis. Coccidiosis is a potentially fatal and economically significant disease of goats caused by an intestinal protozoan. Kids up to weaning age are most susceptible to coccidiosis. Control of coccidiosis involves a combination of drugs and management practices that limit exposure of goats to infective oocytes and minimize stress. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations for strategic use of drugs in response to coccidiosis outbreaks and to help prevent future outbreaks."
It is not recommended to feed coccidiostats to lactating diary goats as the milk is then unsafe for human consumption. However, it is great for kids that have been separated and newly weaned to keep the coccidia in check till the kids have built up a healthy immunity. It is recommended to feed it until they are at least 6 months. Non lactating does and bucks can also be fed feeds containing a coccidiostat as a preventative measure for coccidiosis in wet and warm areas.
NC State University shares:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/coccidiosis-the-most-common-cause-of-diarrhea-in-young-goats
"How to Minimize the Risk and/or to Prevent Coccidiosis?
Good husbandry practices are the best preventive measures against coccidiosis. Regular removal of manure and wasted feed, not feeding on the ground, designing feeders and water systems that minimize fecal contamination, providing a clean source of water, cleaning water tanks and feeders regularly, making sure that watering systems do not leak and that sufficient sunlight enters buildings are examples of such husbandry practices. If goats are kept on solid floors during the winter, maintaining clean and dry bedding is important.
On farms where coccidiosis problems keep recurring, it may be advisable to treat the herd preventively.
Several choices are available depending on the situation:
- Using feeds containing a coccidiostat:
- Feeds containing decoquinate (brand name Deccox®) are available commercially and US FDA-approved for prevention of coccidiosis in non-lactating goats.
- Another coccidiostat, monensin (brand name Rumensin®), is also US FDA-approved in feed for prevention of coccidiosis in non-lactating goats.
- Lasalocid (brand name Bovatec®), another coccidiostat, has US FDA approval for sheep but not goats.
- Drenching goats with an oral dose of amprolium solution (Corid® - 9.6%). This drug is not approved by the US FDA for use in goats. In some cases, it is advised to treat all adult goats, yearlings and, especially, kids because kids are very susceptible at weaning.
- Alternatively, adding amprolium (Corid®) to the drinking water. During treatment, it is important to limit the water supply of the goats and to make sure that they do not have access to any other water source. Be aware that adding amprolium (Corid®) to the drinking water does not assure that all animals will receive an appropriate dose of amprolium.
When goats come down with the signs of coccidiosis:
- Drenching them orally with amprolium (Corid® - 9.6%) for 5 consecutive days. This is often considered an effective form of treatment. This is an extra-label use, as amprolium is not labeled for goats, and a veterinarian needs to prescribe its use.
- Sulfa drugs (sulfadimethoxine-sulfamethazine) such as Albon® and Sulmet® are most effective in the early stages of acute infections when coccidia are multiplying rapidly. Sulfa drugs may not cure coccidiosis but are often given to infected goats to prevent secondary infections such as bacterial enteritis. This is also an extra-label use, as sulfadimethoxine and sulfamethazine are not US FDA labeled for goats, and a veterinarian needs to prescribe its use.
- Whether treating goats against coccidiosis preventively or goats having come down with the clinical signs of coccidiosis, always consult first with an animal health specialist (local veterinarian, cooperative extension agent, etc.) for specific directions about which product and dosage to use, the route of administration (feed or oral), meat and milk withdrawal times, etc.
- A vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency can be created by using amprolium (Corid®) too often. Some animal health specialists advise giving animals injections of thiamine hydrochloride when treating goats with amprolium.
- Always obtain and adhere to appropriate meat withholding times following any extra-label use of drugs.
- Coccidia are very host specific. Therefore, the species of coccidia that infect goats only affect goats. Coccidia found in birds, cattle, dogs, and rabbits will NOT infect goats. For some coccidia, there may be some cross-infection between sheep and goats.
- Virtually every goat has some level of infection, but illness occurs only in some animals. Fecal samples from virtually any goat of any age, sex, breed, and physiological stage can contain coccidia eggs.
- THE DISEASE IS ALMOST ALWAYS GOING TO OCCUR IN YOUNG ANIMALS. KIDS LESS THAN 5 MONTHS OF AGE ARE ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE. Kids will become infected early on from the environment. Adults will have immunity to the parasite that is reasonably effective in preventing disease, but not infection.
- The primary sign of coccidiosis is diarrhea. Look for the signs of the infection in stressed animals. Happy, well-nourished kids left with their dam may show no diarrhea until they are weaned. THE STRESS OF WEANING MAY DEPRESS IMMUNITY ENOUGH FOR THE COCCIDIA TO GET THE UPPER HAND AND CAUSE INFECTION.
- Good husbandry practices are the best preventive measures against coccidiosis. These include measures such as removing manure, not feeding off the ground, not letting goats jump into feeders (a real challenge), cleaning feed troughs and water tanks regularly, etc. Drugs used to treat coccidia include amprolium (Corid®), decoquinate (Deccox®), monensin (Rumensin®), lasalocid (Bovatec®) and sulfadimethoxine (Albon®).
AuthorsJM Luginbuhl
Extension Specialist (Goats & Forage Systems)
Crop and Soil Sciences
Kevin Anderson
Professor, Ruminant Health and Production Medicine
Veterinary Medicine"
There is also a wholistic/herbal option for preventing and/or treating coccidiosis in goats. Fir Meadow LLC has a wonderful blend called GI Soother that is formulated by a master herbalist to be used in diarrheal incidents in livestock, pets, and poultry from coccidiosis, bacterium, ulcers, pasty vent, and barberpole worms.
It is available here: https://www.firmeadowllc.com/store/p811/GI_Soother%E2%84%A2_Digestive_System_Support_16_oz.html