Worming for Goats

Kids after they are born suckle from their mother for the first 4-6 weeks of their lives. After this point around 6-8 weeks of age the kids begin to start nibbling grass and eventual change over to grazing and eating foliage. This begins to develop their gut function and sets them up for mature life. However, this also means that we are now eating worm larvae from the grass! 

Most worm species life cycles are minimum three weeks (21 days) to go from being swallowed to becoming full adults in the goat’s intestines. Here they can cause malabsorption and blood loss, resulting gastrointestinal disease. In areas where worms are known to be present, kids should have their first wormer 12 weeks of age. We recommend treating initially with Q-drench at 1.5 times the sheep dose. At our clinic we can sell individual doses on request. 

Adult goats should be wormed minimum twice a year, alternating between Q-drench and Panacur (Fenbendazole). It is important to alternate between these two drenches to prevent worm resistance. Same rule applies to adults as with kids, using the sheep dose, goats receive 1.5 times the dose. Any adults with scours or loose manure should have a fecal egg test done. This can be done in the veterinary clinic, simply bring in a fecal sample and we can test for the presence of worms