Symptoms of diseases in kids and methods of their treatment, methods of prevention
Of course, veterinarians should deal with the treatment of adult goats and kids. True, pet owners need to know what their pets can get sick with. After all, it is important to recognize the disease in time and treat it at the initial stage. The majority of diseases are caused by improper keeping and feeding of animals. There are diseases that affect goats in case of direct contact with carriers of the infection.
Infectious diseases
This category of diseases includes those that are caused by the penetration of various pathogens (viruses or bacteria) into the body of goats. Infection leads to disease only if the animal is weakened and lacks the necessary immunity. Such diseases are treated with the help of medicines, including antibiotics. Only preventive vaccinations, that is, vaccination at 3 months of age, save from the most dangerous diseases.
Smallpox
This viral disease is transmitted by direct contact with animals with smallpox. Goats can also become infected in the pasture, where the infected herd sometimes grazes, that is, through the grass. Smallpox can be identified by the characteristic reddish pockmarks that appear on the head, around the eyes and mouth, and on the genitals and udders of goats. The incubation period is only 1-2 weeks.
Animals get sick with smallpox in different ways. Some recover after 2-3 weeks, and some get sepsis (infection) and die. Only preventive vaccination saves from smallpox. Do it for both adults and young goats. The main thing is that the animal is healthy.
Foot and mouth disease
This is also a viral disease, which can be determined by looking into the goat's mouth. On the mucous membranes, a rash appears in the form of bubbles, which eventually burst, turn into sores. In animals with foot and mouth disease, redness is noticeable in the hoof area, then foci of decay appear. The cause of the disease is infection from sick animals. Foot and mouth disease in 9 cases out of 10 leads to the death of goats. Sick animals are usually slaughtered. Only vaccination can save goats from foot and mouth disease.
Listeriosis
This bacterial contagious disease is impossible to miss. Listeriosis affects the nervous system of goats.In animals, coordination of movement is upset, muscle tremors, convulsions, agitation or, conversely, lethargy appear. Miscarriages are possible in pregnant goats. Listeriosis is rodent-borne and is initially treated with antibiotics.
Pasteurellosis
This bacterial disease is characterized by multiple hemorrhages (red spots) on the mucous membranes and skin. Pasteurellosis is transmitted by sick animals and even through insect bites. Infected goats become lethargic, inactive, there is no appetite, breathing is heavy and frequent, rhinitis and coughing appear. The disease is treated with a special serum and antibiotics (penicillin and tetracycline). Vaccination is recommended to prevent pasteurellosis.
Brucellosis
This disease is also called Maltese fever. Typically, brucellosis in goats is asymptomatic. In goats, the testes swell a little, and in females, nodular thickenings form on the udder. Brucellosis leads to involuntary miscarriages and polyarthritis. The disease is contagious and is transmitted through the milk and meat of infected animals and through direct contact. Brucellosis is not cured, but there is a vaccine for it, but only healthy kids can be vaccinated.
Infectious pleuropneumonia
It is a contagious disease that is transmitted from sick animals by airborne droplets. Sick goats begin to cough, they have mucus from the nose, lethargy, depression, a sharp rise in temperature are noticeable. Pleuropneumonia often kills goats. It is treated with Novarsenol. You can get a prophylactic vaccine against pleuropneumonia.
Infectious mastitis
This disease is characterized by severe (gangrenous) inflammation of the udder. The causative agent is staphylococcus aureus. The infection enters the udder through damaged skin and results in extensive red spots and inflammation. In the early stages, mastitis is treated with antibiotics ("Bicillin") and sulfa drugs. For gangrene and abscesses, surgery is needed.
Causes of mastitis: dirty bedding, dampness, drafts, cold, poor feeding, udder injuries.
Udder furunculosis
The causative agents of this disease are staphylococci and streptococci. Large boils appear on the udder of diseased goats, then they fester. Extensive skin lesions lead to a deterioration in the condition of animals and a decrease in milk yield. Furunculosis is treated with streptocide, and the skin is wiped with antiseptics, boils are lubricated with iodine, ichthyol ointment. The disease occurs when poor nutrition and maintenance without bedding (on concrete) or on dirty straw.
Diseases of the genitals
In males and females there are diseases of the reproductive organs. These diseases lead to decreased productivity and reproductive functions. Males suffer from orchitis (inflammation of the testes). This disease occurs due to trauma and tissue infection, is characterized by swelling of the scrotum, and in severe cases is treated with antibiotics and sulfonamides.
Females suffer from their own diseases (vestibulitis, vulvitis, vaginitis), that is, inflammation of the vagina with the release of a liquid and turbid exudate. As a treatment, the introduction of antimicrobial emulsions and ointments into the vagina is prescribed.
Trichophytosis
This is ringworm, that is, a contagious fungal disease, when bald areas, covered with crusts and scales, appear on the skin. Fungi can be found in the soil and are carried by rodents and sick animals. Trichophytosis is treated with fungicidal agents, as a preventive measure, vaccination is carried out.
Infectious stomatitis
This is a viral disease characterized by inflammation of the oral mucosa and increased salivation, the appearance of bubbles in the mouth, ulcers. The cause of stomatitis: coarse and poor quality feed. Sometimes pimples in the mouth are caused by foot and mouth disease. Common stomatitis is treated with streptocide powders, rinsing the mouth with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, soda or chamomile.
Footrot
The disease is caused by bacteria found in the pasture, which infect the epithelium of the hooves. In the interdigital fissure, inflammation appears, discharge of a purulent nature, the goat limps, her temperature rises. During treatment, hooves are washed, baths are made, and the animal itself is prescribed antibiotic injections ("Nitox 200").
Non-communicable diseases of goats
Pets are sensitive to conditions and feed. Goats can catch cold if kept out of the cold. In the case of malnutrition, poor nutrients, vitamins and minerals, their immunity decreases, problems with metabolism or stomach problems appear.
Arthritis and arthrosis
These are joint diseases. The development of diseases can be prevented by feeding the goats with legumes and giving vitamin D. Arthritis and arthrosis are difficult and not always treatable. The most characteristic signs of diseases: changes in the shape of the joints, pain, swelling, lameness. The sick animal lies most of the time, breathes frequently, and its temperature rises. Patients are prescribed hongroprotectors, steroids and NSAIDs.
Rickets
Reason: lack of vitamin D, unsanitary conditions of detention, feeding with sour and spoiled food. This is a disease of young kids born from weakened queens and not getting enough sunlight. Sick animals move little, eat poorly, lag behind in growth and development. For treatment, injections of vitamin D and other vitamins and minerals are prescribed, as well as improved feeding, walking in the fresh air.
Avitaminosis
The disease occurs when there is a deficiency of vitamins in feed. Animals weaken, become lethargic, they lose their appetite, in severe cases, there are convulsions in the kid or miscarriages in females. During the treatment, the conditions of keeping and feeding the goats are improved, and also pharmacy vitamins and minerals are prescribed. In winter, as a prevention of vitamin deficiency, it is recommended to give branches of spruce and pine, vegetables (carrots, pumpkin, beets).
Trauma
These active animals are often injured in the pasture. There are all sorts of injuries: udder, nipple, hooves, limbs. The site of the lesion must be disinfected with an antiseptic. If there is bleeding, it should be stopped with a tight bandage. For limb fractures, a splint is applied. The injured hoof is treated with a disinfectant solution and bandaged.
Mastitis (non-infectious)
If a goat gets sick after lambing with mastitis, it means that it was milked too late or that an infection got into the udder, for example, from a nipple injury and dirty bedding. During treatment, the udder is massaged and smeared with ichthyol ointment or a drug based on novocaine, milk is removed, and if a bacterial infection is detected, Mastiet Forte is prescribed.
Cracked nipples
This problem arises from improper milking, keeping dairy goats on coarse bedding, or milk feeding of kids. Cracks in the nipples are treated with antiseptics. The udder can be washed with warm boiled water and wiped dry. Before each milking, it is recommended to lubricate the teats with fat or petroleum jelly.
Ketosis
A metabolic disease that occurs when there is an excess of grain mixtures in the diet. Typical symptoms: acetone odor of urine or milk. Ketosis is treated by adjusting the diet, enriching the diet with vegetables, sweetened with water. In winter, spruce or pine branches and pharmacy vitamins are given.
Poisoning
If a goat does not eat anything, lies and groans, it has stomach problems, it means that it is poisoned. Reasons: eating poisonous plants, poor quality feed, the use of poisonous substances, pesticides, medicines. Treatment depends on the activity of the poison. Poisoning is treated by gastric lavage, enema. Animals are given adsorbents (activated carbon) and diuretics.
Prevention includes feed control. It is especially important to monitor the nutrition of little kids, whose body may not be able to cope even with poisonous plants (buttercups, sweet clover).
Dyspepsia
This is a digestive disorder in newborn kids. Pathology arises as a result of poor nutrition of pregnant females who gave birth to weak cubs. The kids vilify, eat nothing, lie on the floor. Youngsters are prescribed the introduction of solutions of bicarbonate and sodium chloride, antibiotics, sulfonamides.
Gastroenteritis
It is a disease that occurs when eating spoiled or moldy food. In sick goats, appetite disappears, diarrhea appears. For the treatment of gastroenteritis, laxatives and antiseptics (Salol) are prescribed.
Acute tympanic scar
This disease is the result of improper feeding. If a goat eats a lot of legumes or soapy plants, wet grass, drinks a lot of water, then it may develop bloating due to the accumulation of gases in it. Symptoms: refusal to eat, depression. The goat stops belching, sometimes the head shakes. Tympania is treated by pulling the tongue out of the mouth or releasing gas with a rubber tube.
Bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi causes hypothermia and poor feeding. The disease is recognized by a strong or weak cough. Bronchitis is treated with drugs (antibiotics, sulfonamides, aminophylline).
Parasitic diseases
Animals such as goats graze in the meadow, that is, they eat from the ground, eat unwashed vegetables, and they also come into contact with various pets (chickens, dogs, cats). It is possible to protect them from worms and fleas only through preventive measures, that is, vaccination (Ivomek, Dectomax and other macrocyclic lactones).
Echinococcosis
This condition usually affects dogs. The causative agents of echinococcosis are echinococcus larvae. Parasites can live in the intestines, lungs, spleen, kidneys, liver and even the heart. The disease is asymptomatic. Only vaccination helps to protect yourself from echinococcosis.
Fascioliasis
The disease occurs in the case of infection with trematodes from the genus fasciola. This parasite lives in the liver. Sick goats eat poorly, weaken, the mucous membranes of the eyes become yellowish. Fascioliasis is treated with anthelmintics ("Hexychol", "Acemidophen").
Moniezioz
Disease in domestic animals is caused by ribbon-like moniesias living in the small intestine. Infected goats lose their appetite, develop diarrhea, and parasite fragments are visible in the feces. In the treatment use anthelmintic drugs ("Fenasal").
Pyroplasmosis
It is a seasonal disease carried by ixodid ticks. Parasites take up residence in blood cells and destroy red blood cells. Sick animals become weaker, their temperature rises. If the goat is left untreated, it may die. For treatment use "Flavacridine", "Azidine".
Aymeriosis
These are the simplest coccidia living in the epithelial cells of the small intestine. Infected goats do not eat well, lose weight, vilify, their temperature rises. For treatment are prescribed "Clopidol", "Pharmkoktsid", "Norsulfazol", "Monensin", "Khimkoktsid".
Linognatosis
This is a disease caused by lice. Sick goats rub against trees and walls, lose weight, they experience itching, dermatitis. During treatment, "Deltanol", "Baymek" are prescribed.
What body temperature should a goat have?
The normal body temperature of an adult goat is 38.5-40.5 degrees. You can measure it using a special device - a thermometer with a long end, which is inserted into the anus of the animal.If the temperature is low (36-37 degrees), then most likely this is a symptom of poisoning or metabolic diseases. Too high (41-42 degrees) indicates an infectious, inflammatory nature of the disease. In addition, the infected goat's neck sweats, the pulse and respiration become more frequent, and the ears and legs become cold. Average, that is, normal temperature is a sign of good health.
