Common Diseases of Goats

introduction

The goat suffers with various diseases, which are caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites and other non-infectious agents. The diagnosis of the goat diseases not only based on the clinical symptoms is most difficult, as many diseases resemble one another. The important clinical symptoms of common diseases have been given, only to help the farmers to detect the sick goat at the earliest stage. Treatment is not complete and many drugs may cause toxicity, in cases of the serious disease problem of the goat. The farmers may take some steps, as recommended, to prevent further deterioration in the condition of the animal, until it is brought under the supervision of a goat health specialist. It is observed that the seriousness can be prevented or minimized if timely preventive health care has been adopted in goat farming.

Common diseases of goats are explain as under:

Abortion :



Mostly occur from 6-8 weeks of pregnancy, veterinary treatment is needed to control infertility. This could occur due to drinking water containing salmonella typhinmurium. Abortion can occur in a goat fed on rich clover or trefoil.




Acetonemia:



Is also called Ketosis. This metabolic imbalance caused due to goat fed large quantities of concentrated food.




Anaemia :



Anaemia covers groups of conditions characterized by paleness of skin and membrane. Symptoms can be seen nictitating membrane of the eyes, mucous membrane of the mouth, skin around the udder and valve. Treatment can be done by the use of iron injection 5ml Dexavin (Pfizer) or Ferrofax (Duphar).



Rinderpest :



Clinical symptoms: There is mild thermal reaction and diarrhea. Ulcerative lesions appeared on inside the lower tip and gums. Preventive care: Tissue culture rinderpest vaccine S/C could be used in pocket of infection.



Anorexia :



If it is a loss of appetite, it could be voluntary Anorexia or Pathological Anorexia.




Arthritis :



In goat kids it may be Navel infection arthritis caused by corynebacterium pyogensis, streptococci, staphylococci, while non-superative arthritis is by birth, caused due to deficiency of vitamins and minerals. In old age, swollen joints from mycoplasmosis, occurs at 3-4 weeks of age.

Breeds of Goats 3 (Other Goats)

1-Angora :

Angora goats are a medium sized breed that grow very long curly coats, known as mohair. They are of Turkish origin. Angoras are fairly laid back and docile but not very hardy.

Angoras are seasonal breeders.






2-Pygora :

A Pygora goat is a breed purposely bred and then registered in Oregon by Katherine Jorgensen. She wanted an animal, which would produce fine fiber for hand spinning. She bred the Pygmy, a goat with short, soft down to the Angora, a goat with long silky fleece.

There are three different fleece types. No one type is "better" than the
other is; they just have different characteristics.

Type "A": (Angora type)---A long, lustrous fiber up to 6 inches long,
hanging in long, curly locks. The hair coat is not obvious on a type "A"
animal. This fiber is very fine mohair. Some type "A", "F1" Pygoras are
single coated. These animals must be shorn.

Type "B": (Blend type)---A blend of the Pygmy goat undercoat which is cashmere and the Angora mohair. It is between 3 and 6 inches long, and it has a nice crimp (curl). The second coat is usually obscured by the type "B" fleeces that is 3 to 6 inches long. Type "B" can either be lustrous (shiny), or have a matte (dull) finish. This fleece type is the most common, and
these goats may be shorn, combed, or plucked.

Type "C ": (Cashmere type)---A very fine fiber, with no luster, and length of 1 to 3 inches. The hair coat looks very coarse in comparison to the two types above. Type "C" can be acceptable commercial cashmere. These goats may be shorn or combed.

Most Pygoras produce from 6 ounces to 2 pounds per shearing. Many Type "A"s are sheared twice per year.







3-Kinder :

Kinders are a small duel propose breed (both for dairy and meat) developed in the US by crossing Nubians with Pygmies. They come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Kinders breed year round.






4-Pygmy :

Pygmy goats are small goats of African origin. They are considered meat goats but are mainly used as pets. Pygmies are bred to be "cobby" and heavy boned. All body colors are acceptable but breed-specific markings are required.

Pygmies breed year round.

Breeds of Goats 2 (Meat Goats)

Meat Goats

1-Boer :

The Boer goat was developed in South Africa. They have long pendulous ears and a "Roman" nose. "Boer" is a Dutch word meaning farmer. The major portion of the Boer's body is white with dark coloration around the head. Their horns curve backwards. They are gentle, strong and vigorous.

Boers breed year round.






2-Kiko :

Kiko goats were bred up on a base of feral goat stock in New Zealand. They were selected for survivability under range conditions. The Maori word “kiko” means simply flesh or meat.

Kikos breed year round.






3-Spanish Meat Goat :

Spanish meat goats, also sometimes called "Brush goats", are the descendants of goats first brought to North America by European explorers. They are a medium sized goat; short, stocky and heavily muscled. Spanish Meat goats are very hardy and can come in a variety of colors.

Spanish Meat goats breed year round.






4-Tennessee Fainting Goat :

Tennessee Fainting Goats are also know by many other names: Myotonic, "Stiff-legged", "Nervous", Tennessee Meat, Wooden Leg, and Scare goats. They are a small to medium sized goat (not a miniature). These goats possess a genetic characteristic, called myotonia congenita, which causes their muscles to lock up when they are startled or surprised resulting in them falling over. Their coats can be long or short, but never curly like Angoras. They come in a variety of colors including black, tan, red, brown, and white. Fainting goats can have a at least three types of ears to be correct. There should always be a crease in the middle of the ear. One type of ear would be the long, "airplane" ears. These don't point straight out to the sides, but angle more toward the eyes. Another type is a shorter ear. A third type of ear can have a crimp across the end of the ear.

Fainting goats breed year round.

Breeds of Goats 1 (Dairy Goats)

The breeds of goats can be broken down into three categories: Dairy goats, Meat goats and "Other" (fiber, duel-purpose, etc).

This listing is of the most common types of goats found in the US.

Dairy Goats

1-The Alpine :

The Alpine, also known as "French Alpine", originated in the Alps. They are medium to large goats with upright ears. Alpines are hardy, adaptable and come in a variety of colors and patterns. Their milk has an average butterfat of about 3.5%.

Alpines are seasonal breeders.






2-LaMancha

The LaMancha is a medium sized breed, developed in the USA from goats of Spanish origin. They have an excellent dairy temperament and are all-around sturdy, friendly, naturally healthy animals. LaManchas can come in a variety of colors and patterns. Their milk has an average butterfat of about 4.2%. LaManchas have tiny ears which come in two types: "gopher ears", which are little "sweet rolls"; and "elf ears", which are little hooked ears less than 2 inches long.

LaManchas are seasonal breeders.



Elf Ears :



Gopher Ears :






3-Nigerian Dwarf :

The Nigerian is a miniature dairy goat of West African origin with upright ears. They are bred to have the length of body and structure, in proportion, of a full sized dairy goat. They come in a variety of colors and patterns. Nigerians can also produce a surprising amount of milk for their size (3-4 four pounds per day) but their small teats can sometimes be difficult to milk. Their milk has an average butterfat of about 6.1%.

Nigerians breed year round.






4-Nubian :

The Nubian, also know as "Anglo-Nubians" is a large, proud, and graceful goat with long pendulous ears and a "Roman nose". They were developed in England by crossing British goats with bucks of African and Indian origin. They are not heavy producers but milk has an average butterfat of about 4.6%. Nubians come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are very vocal. They are very popular but not quite as hardy as some other breeds

Nubians are usually seasonal breeders but sometimes may breed year round.






5-Oberhasli :

The Oberhasli, sometimes called "Swiss Alpine", are a medium sized breed. Their coloring is known as "Chamoisee" which is bay in color with distinctive and specific black markings. Does may sometimes be black but chamoisee is preferred. Their milk has an average butterfat of about 3.6%.

Oberhaslis are seasonal breeders.






6-Saanen :

The Saanen goat originated in Switzerland. They are white, large in size with upright ears. Saanens are heavy milk producers, but there milk is lower in butterfat than some of the other dairy breeds. Their milk has an average butterfat of about 3.5%.

Note: Saanens must be white. If a Saanen is born with color (which sometimes happens) they are called "Sables".

Saanens are seasonal breeders.






7-Toggenburg :

The Toggenburg is a Swiss breed credited as being the oldest known dairy goat breed. They are medium in size with upright ears. "Togg" coloring is varying from a light fawn to dark chocolate, with distinctive and specific white markings. Their milk has an average butterfat of about 3.3%. This breed was originally developed to provide milk for cheese production and so their milk can sometimes have a strong flavor.

Toggs are seasonal breeders.