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.

COMMON FOODS THAT ARE HARMFUL OR EVEN FATAL TO DOGS

Some foods which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death. The following common food items should not be fed (intentionally or unintentionally) to dogs. This list is, of course, incomplete because we can not possibly list everything your dog should not eat.

1-Alcoholic beverages: can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

2-Avocado(fruit, pit, & plant) : Can cause difficulty breathing; fluid accumulation in the chest, abdomen and heart; or pancreatitis.

3-Baby food : Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below.) Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts.

4-Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources : Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.

5-Bones(cooked) : Can splinter and tear a dog’s internal organs.

6-Caffeine(from coffee, coffee grounds, tea, or tea bags) :Stimulates the central nervous and cardiac systems, and can cause vomiting, restlessness, heart palpitations, and even death within hours.

7-Cat food :Generally too high in protein and fats.

8-Chocolate, coffee, tea, & other caffeine :Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems. Chocolate can cause seizures, coma and death. Baker’s chocolate is the most dangerous. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. But any chocolate, in large enough amounts, can kill a dog. An ounce of chocolate can poison a 30-pound dog, and many dogs will happily consume more than this. The symptoms may not show up for several hours with death following within twenty-four hours.

9-Citrus oil extracts : Can cause vomiting.

10-Dairy products :Can cause pancreatitis, gas and diarrhoea. A small amount of non-fat, plain yoghurt is usually safe.

11-Egg whites(raw) :Raw egg whites contain a protein called avidin, which can deplete your dog of biotin, one of the B vitamins. Biotin is essential to your dog’s growth and coat health. The lack of it can cause hair loss, weakness, growth retardation, or skeleton deformity.

12-Fat trimmings :Too much fat or fried foods can cause pancreatitis.

13-Fruit pips, seeds : Apple seeds, cherry pits, and peach pits, pear pips, plums pits, peaches, and apricot pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous.

14-Grains(large amounts) :Grains should not be given in large amounts or make up a large part of a dog’s diet, but rice is generally safe in small amounts.

15-Grapes & raisins : Can cause kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill him. If the dog doesn't eat enough at one time to be fatal, he can be severely damaged by eating just a few grapes or raisins regularly.

16-Ham & bacon :Contain too much fat and too much salt, and can cause pancreatitis. Also, large breeds of dogs that eat salty food may drink too much water and develop a life-threatening condition called bloat. This is where the stomach fills up with gas and within several hours may twist, causing death.

17-Hops :Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temperature, seizures, and death.

18-Human vitamin supplements containing iron :Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys.

19-Liver(large amounts) :Raw liver or too much cooked liver (three servings a week) can lead to vitamin A toxicity. This can affect muscles and cause deformed bones, excessive bone growth on the elbows and spine, weight loss, and anorexia.

20-Macadamia nuts :Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle. Can cause weakness, muscle tremor and paralysis. These symptoms are usually temporary.

21-Marijuana :Can depress the nervous system, cause vomiting, and changes in the heart rate.

22-Milk & other dairy products :Some adult dogs and cats do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhoea. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.

23-Mouldy or spoiled food, garbage :Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhoea and can also affect other organs.

24-Mushrooms :Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death. Wild mushrooms can cause abdominal pain, drooling, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsions, coma, or death.
Nutmeg Can cause tremors, seizures and death.

25-Onions & garlic (raw, cooked, or powder): Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.

26-Pennies (made from the 1980s to today) :Contain zinc, which can cause kidney failure and damage to red blood cells. A dog that consumes even one penny can become quite sick, or even die, if the penny is not removed.

27-Persimmons :Seeds can cause intestinal obstruction and enteritis.

28-Pits from peaches and plums :Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.

29-Potato, rhubarb, & tomato leaves; potato & tomato stems : Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock. Potato peels and green potatoes are dangerous.

30-Raw eggs :Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella.

31-Raw fish :Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly.

32-Salt :If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances and kidney problems. Large breeds of dogs that eat salty food may then drink too much water and develop bloat, which is fatal unless emergency treatment is given very quickly.

33-String :Can become trapped in the digestive system; called a "string foreign body."

34-Sugary foods :Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus.

35-Table scraps (in large amounts) :Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.

36-Tobacco :Contains nicotine, which affects the digestive and nervous systems. Can result in rapid heart beat, collapse, coma, and death.

37-Tomatoes :Can cause tremors and heart arrhythmias. Tomato plants and the most toxic, but tomatoes themselves are also unsafe. (All parts of the plant except the tomato itself are also poisonous to humans.)

38-Walnuts :Walnuts are poisonous to dogs.

39-Xylitol :Diet products containing the sweetener Xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. Unless treatment is given quickly, the dog could die.

40-Yeast dough :Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.

Dog Health Problems

dog health problems are a thing to worry for dog-owners. Dog’s ability to hear, see and move about easily can be affected with the onset of old age.

Skin condition, appetite and energy levels often degrade as age creeps on. Selective breeding to produce individual dog breeds often leads to genetic disorders. Dog health problems can be in the form of cancer, diabetes, arthritis and even depression, in addition to unique conditions such as kennel cough and heartworm. Diseases like diabetes are common to both humans and dogs, others are unique to dogs.

Proper care should be taken of dogs to increase their lives.



Like human health problems, some dog diseases, injuries and physical ailments are serious while others are not. Fortunately, the vast majority of health problems that dogs commonly experience can be successfully treated with medications, physical therapy, surgery, or other types of medical treatments.

Unfortunately, since animals can’t talk, it’s often very difficult to detect what type health problems dogs may be experiencing. We have, however, compiled the following list of common health-care problems to help you detect and better understand possible problems that could affect your dog’s health and overall wellness.

If your dog is showing any of the symptoms that we have described for the various diseases and physical abnormalities listed below, it’s very important that you take your dog to see its vet at the earliest possible time. Early treatment will not only greatly improve your dog’s chances for a quick and complete recovery, but it could very well save your dog’s life.

Food For Your Dog

You can buy food made especially for dogs at the grocery or pet store. It has special vitamins and nutrients that dogs need. Your veterinarian can recommend some good brands.

You can also ask the breeder or previous owner what they were feeding your new dog. Ask them how much they were feeding and how often. Later you can change the food if you want to.

If you and your parents decide to change the food, it's best to do it a little at a time, over a couple of weeks. It will be easier on your dog's tummy. Just add a little of the new food into the bowl of the food your dog has been eating. A couple of days later, add a little more and continue this until there is more new food than old and soon you can stop feeding the first food.


Dog Bowls

There are different kinds of bowls you can buy for your dog. The best kinds of bowls are made of stainless steel or ceramic (like glass).

Stainless steel and glass bowls are easy to clean thoroughly and your dog won't be able to chew them. They will last much longer than a plastic bowl will.



Plastic bowls are not the best kind of bowls. Plastic is harder to clean and it can hold onto germs that may get into your dog's food and make him sick. Plastic bowls are also easily chewed by dogs who want to play with the bowl.



Give your dog his food in a clean bowl. Food tastes better when it comes from a bowl that has been washed out everyday. If the bowl is clean, your dog will not get sick from germs in dirty dishes.



How Often Do Dogs Eat?

Young puppies usually get their meals three or four times a day. Puppies need that much food to grow up healthy. Most experts think that a pup under twelve weeks of age should be fed four times a day. If your pup is between three and six months of age, then three times a day is good.

Many people feed their adult dogs one time each day. But experts have found that by dividing that meal into two separate meals, one in the morning and one in the evening, your dog won't get so full and will feel better to run and play. He will also enjoy eating two times instead of one.


FOOD FACTS


For Well-Behaved Dogs

If you feed your dog from the dinner table, he will learn to beg and bother everyone during the meal. Your family will be very impressed when your dog lays down quietly while you eat your meal.


For Healthy Dogs

People food does not have the vitamins and minerals that dogs need. Some foods made for people can give your dog diarrhea because it has more fat than dogs can handle. It's always best to feed your dog food and treats that are made for dogs.