FEEDS AND

FEEDING
• Feeds and feeding are important factors in raising small ruminants. Proper
nutrition is essential for the health of all animals and is the basis of
successful production system. The nutrition of the goat is of paramount
importance for successful goat production. Goats require proper nutrition.
They need six (6) groups of nutrients such as water, vitamins, minerals,
fats, carbohydrates and protein to live and survive, to maintain body
functions, to produce meat and milk, to grow and to have a healthful
pregnancy.
• Feeding is one of the largest expenses of any goat operation. For
sustainable and profitable production, nutrients must also be provided in
a cost effective manner. Goats raised for meat need feeds most of the time
and require an optimum balance of many different nutrients in order to
achieve maximum profit potential. Because of their unique physiology,
meat-goat does not fatten like cattle or sheep. Rates of weight gain are
smaller ranging from 40 to 60 grams per day. Therefore, profitable meat-
goat production can only be achieved by optimizing the use of forages,
grasses, and strategically using expensive concentrate feeds. These can be
achieved by developing a year-round forage program allowing as much
grazing as possible throughout the year.
 Suggested Feeding Guide for Goats
Age Feed Amount per Day
Birth – 3 days Colostrum Ad libitum(3 to 5x feeding)
Whole milk (Goat milk) 0.5 – 1 L/kid divided into 3x
feeding
Vitamin-mineral
4 days – 2 weeks Ad libitum
Water
Ad libitum

Whole milk or milk replace 0.5-1 L/kid divided into 2x

feeding
Grass-legume hay or quality Ad libitum
fresh forages
2 weeks – 16 weeks Vitamin-mineral mix Ad libitum
Water Ad libitum

Starter (22% CP)1 Increasing amount without

causing digestive upset
 Forages, vitamin-mineral mix Ad libitum

4 months to kidding Water Ad libitum

Concentrates (18-20% CP)2 Up to 0.5 kg/head

Forages, vitamin-mineral mix Ad libitum

Dry, pregnant, bucks Water Ad libitum

Concentrates (16-18% CP)3 0.2-0.7 kg/head

Forages, vitamin-mineral mix Ad libitum

Water Ad libitum
Lactating
Concentrates (16-18% CP) 0.3-0.5 kg/L milk produced
1 Whole milk can be goat or cow milk. Milk replacer can be used after 2 weeks.
2 Formula I. Ground corn-12, Rice bran-24, Copra meal- 40, Soybean oil meal- 8, Meat and
bone meal-10, molasses- 5, and salt- 1kg.
3 Formula II. Copra meal-50, Wheat pollard-32, Molasses-15, Bone meal-2, and salt-1kg.
4 Formula III. Coprameal-40, corn-25, soybean oil meal-15, rice bran-10, molasses-8,
bonemeal-1, and salt-1kg
 Classification of Common Feed
Ingredients for Goats
There are four types of goat feeds:
1. Roughage. These are feeds containing relatively large
amounts of fiber that provide bulk to fill-up the rumen.
This group of feeds includes freshly cut grasses and
legumes, hay, silages fodder and other green herbages.
2. Concentrates. These are feeds with high digestibility.
They are relatively low in fiber and include all grains and
many by-products of grains and animals, such as rice
bran, ground corn, soybean oil meal, copra meal, bone
meal, and molasses.
3. Mineral Supplements. These supplements
provide the goat with skeletal support. Salt,
oyster shell, limestone and wood ash are
examples of mineral supplements.
4. Vitamin Supplement. These are organic
compounds needed to maintain vigor, health
and productivity, such as Vitamins A, B, and C
 Commonly Used Ingredients for Goat
Concentrates
The following are locally available concentrate ingredients
for goats:
1. Corn. This is the second commonly used ingredient in
formulating concentrate mixture. It contains about 8.9%
crude protein and a high amount of energy (Total
Digestible Energy) that makes it an ideal feed for
fattening.
2. Rice bran. It is a by-product of rice milling that contains
an average crude protein of 10-12%. Locally available rice
bran is classified as first class (D1), second class (D2), and
third class (D3). Like corn, it is also a good source of
energy for fattening animals.
3. Sorghum. This is very similar to corn in feed value with crude
protein content ranging from 5-9%. It makes, therefore, a very good
livestock feed and substitute for corn because its price is lower than
corn.
4. Copra meal. It is a by-product of copra production. This is what is
left of the coconut meat after the oil has been removed or extracted.
It contains an adequate amount of carbohydrates but it is used
mainly as protein supplement due to its high crude protein (20-22%).
5. Soybean oil meal. This by-product feed is produced after
extracting oil from soybean seeds. It contains about 44% crude
protein with very high feeding value.
6. Molasses. These are practically all carbohydrates with only three
percent (3%) crude protein. It is a by-product of sugar milling and is
sold in dark and semi-liquid (thick) state.
7. Ipil-ipil Leaf Meal. This protein supplement is produced after flesh
leaves of ipil-ipil has undergone drying and grinding. Its crude
protein content is about 19-21%.
Goat Rations
List of Examples of Formula for 100 kg for Goat Concentrates
Kind of ration Ingredient Parts by weight (kg)
First class rice bran 80.0
General purpose ration for all
ages of goats (not for milking Ipil-ipil leaf meal 0.0
does) (not balanced)
Molasses 0.0
Salt 20.0
Homemade ration First class rice bran 50.0
(General purpose)
(not balanced) Ipil-ipil leaf meal 30.0
Salt 20.0
Shelled corn 50.0

Milking ration # 1 Copra meal 29.0

Rice bran 20.0
Oyster meal 0.5
Salt 0.5
 Rice binlid 28.0

Rice tiki-tiki 20.0

Milking ration # 3
Copra meal 30.0

Molasses 8.0

Ipil-ipil leaf meal 8.0

Meat and bone meal 5.0

Salt 1.0

Tiki-tiki 77.0

Fattening ration Ipil-ipil leaf meal 15.0

Limestone 6.0

Salt 2.0
 Feeding Habits of Goats and Sheep
• Goats and sheep differ in their feeding habits.
Selection and intake of forage depends not only on
the available plant resources but also on the feeding
behavior of animals. Knowledge of feeding habits that
have nutritional implications is important in improving
goat and sheep nutrition.
• Goats prefer to consume a wide variety of feedstuffs.
Goats are more selective and browse more, especially
under extensive conditions, than sheep. The
selectivity of goats is reduced under intensive
management. Goats generally have better body
condition compared to sheep under the same grazing
conditions, mainly due to their ability to select a
nutritious diet.
• Goats prefer to eat feed at a height of 20–120
cm. They have the ability to stand on their hind
legs for long periods and can even climb trees in
order to reach parts of trees they prefer. They
also have mobile upper lips and tongue that
enable them to consume leaves between thorns.
• The preference of goats for consuming browse
can be used in the control of invasive species on
grasslands. Keeping a mixture of browsers and
grazers can maintain rangeland grazing areas
rather than allowing them to become overgrown
with brush. The mixed species of livestock kept
by pastoralists enable simultaneous use of
vegetation at different heights
Additional observations regarding the feeding habits of
goats:

a) Goats will accept a wide variety of feeds, but what is

acceptable to one goat is not always acceptable to others.
b) Goats do not thrive well if kept on one feed for any length
of time but prefer to select from many varieties of feeds and
vegetation.
c) Goats generally refuse anything which has been soiled by
other animals.
d) The appetite of the goat for any given concentrates or
mixture of concentrates, fed in quantities of over 0.45 to 0.91
kg/day, often decreases within a short period.
e) Goats have a higher tolerance to bitter taste as well as
preference for a wide variety of chemical compounds. These
characteristics enable them to consume a wider range of
plant species than either sheep or cattle.
 Comparison of Feeding Habits Between Goat and Sheep
Parameter Goat Sheep
Characteristic

Can stand on its hind Walk shorter

Activity legs to access browse; distances
Can walk longer
distances

Feeding pattern Browser; more Grazer; less selective

selective
Variety in feeds Preference greater Preference limited
Salivary secretion Greater Moderate
rate
Recycling of urea in saliva Greater Less
Dry matter intake:
For meat production 3% of body weight 3% of body weight
For milk production 4–6% of body weight 3% of body weight

Digestive efficiency With coarse roughage higher Less efficient

Retention time Longer Shorter

Water intake per unit dry Lower Higher
matter

Water economy More efficient Less efficient

Water turnover rate Lower Higher
Dehydration:
Feces Less water loss More Higher water loss Less
Urine concentrated concentrated

Fat metabolism Increased during periods of Less evident

water shortages
Computation of Feed Requirements for Goats
Milk Offered = Animal bodyweight x 10% of body weight
Example:
= 10 kg x 0.10
= 1 kg of milk per day
Fresh Roughages
*Determine Dry Matter (DM) requirement:
Animal bodyweight x 3% of body weight
= 30 kg x 0.03
= 0.9 kg DM per day
Convert DM requirement into fresh roughage (20% DM)
DM requirement ÷ DM of fresh roughage
= 0.9 kg DM ÷ 0.20
= 4.5 kg fresh roughage per day
Roughages + Legumes
Roughage to Legumes Ratio = 75%:25%
Determine DM requirement (follow formula*): DM
requirement at 3% of body weight
= 30 kg x 0.03 = 0.9 kg DM per day
DM (roughage) = 0.9 kg DM x 0.75 = 0.675 kg DM
DM (legumes) = 0.9 kg DM x 0.25 = 0.225 kg DM
Convert DM requirement into fresh roughage +
legumes:
Roughage (20%) = 0.675 kg DM ÷ 0.2 = 3.375 kg per
day
Legumes (25%) = 0.225 kg DM ÷ 0.25 = 0.9 kg per day
Fresh Roughage + 200 g Concentrate
Determine DM Requirement (follow formula*):
30 kg x 0.03 = 0.9 kg DM per day
DM from concentrate (87% DM) = 200g x 0.87 =
0.174 kg
DM from fresh roughage = 0.9 kg – 0.174 kg =
0.726 kg DM
Convert DM requirement into fresh roughage
(20% DM):
0.726 kg DM ÷ 0.2 = 3.63 kg fresh roughage per
day
 FEEDING
TECHNOLOGIES
 Feeding Technologies
1. Rapid Rotational Grazing (RRG)
Rotational grazing or tethering involves
dividing the pasture area into paddocks and
allowing the animals to graze rotationally in
different areas. Parasitic infection is
minimized because the life cycle of the
parasites is broken
 Recommended Practices
The concept of RRG can likewise be applied to tethering
one to five goats. In this approach, tethered goats are
transferred to 9 – 10 different paddocks in a month. The
objective is not just to provide the daily requirement for
forage but also to minimize parasitic infection.

A rope, about 5 m long, is tied around the neck of each

mature goat in a way that allows it to move easily. All
available and possible grazing areas are divided into 9 -10
paddocks. In dividing the pasture into paddocks, it is
important to consider the amount of available forage more
than the size of the area.

Start tethering the animals in the first paddock; move the

pegs around during the day to allow them maximum access
to forage. After 3 ½ days, move the animals to the next
paddock and do not allow them to go back to the first
paddock for 30 days. Continue moving the animals to other
paddocks every 3 ½ days until they have returned to the
first paddock. As earlier pointed out, this rotational grazing
is done to minimize parasitic infestation among the goats
and allow uniform grazing of pasture areas.
 Requirement for Adoption
The minimum requirements for adoption
are:
• Sufficient and appropriate space for grazing
• Availability of labor to transfer animals at least
twice a day within the paddock and after every
3 ½ days to other paddocks
• Water for the goat
• A 5 m long rope
 Benefits and Cost of Adoption
By applying the 3 ½ day-rotational tethering, the following benefits may
be realized:

• Minimize exposure of goats to parasite

• Reduced dependence on anthelmintic chemical
• Less anthelmintic residues and resistance
• Decreased cost of parasite control
• Sustained pasture quality because of better utilization and prevention of
overgrazing
• More intake of nutrients by the animals
• Heavier animals at market weight
• Ease in animal retrieval by the raiser at the end of the day, or during
inclement weather, or when the heat of the sun is intense
• Prevention of damage to crops and neighboring farms
 Reservations/Limitations of Use
• Raisers are not particular with the practice, as
animals are allowed to graze on their own or
tethered on the same spot for convenience of
the owner.
• Labor availability must be considered
• Large area is required
• Expensive fencing materials
• This practice can be applied to mature goats only
• There is danger or exposure to thieves, predators
(like dogs), and sudden changes of weather.
Use of Urea in Goat Diets
Under a confined feeding program, mineral deficiencies usually
occur in farms. Salt blocks intended for cattle have been used.
Because goats have shorter tongues they can lick smaller amounts
of salt. Hence, a loose form of vitamin-mineral supplement is
recommended to satisfy the goat requirement from the few grabs.
The following is an example of a loose form of vitamin-mineral
mix:
• 5 parts salt
• 1 part lime or oyster shell
• ½ part commercial vitamin-mineral mix
Likewise, occurrence of urinary calculi or stones has been traced to
low salt-mineral intake and subsequent low water intake. The
loose form of supplementation can solve the problem. Addition of
iodine to the diet especially in highland areas is recommended.
Goats are efficient in utilizing the non-protein nitrogen in the diet. The
capacity of microorganisms to transform nitrogen into microbial protein
makes it possible to incorporate a small amount of urea in the ration of
goats, primarily to increase utilization of low-quality roughages. Urea as
supplement for goats must be used with caution. For a high concentration of
ammonia in the blood is toxic and fatal to ruminants. For efficient utilization
of urea as non-protein nitrogen source, adequate amount of energy
(molasses, corn, etc.) and minerals, particularly sulfur, in case molasses are
used, should be made available to the animal. If possible, provide a daily
allowance of urea in small amounts throughout the day, instead of just one
feeding.
Urea is equivalent to 281% CP (45% N x 6.25).
Safe usage of urea in the diet can be achieved following any of these
restrictions:
1% of the ration (DM basis), or
2-3% of the concentrate mixture (air-dry basis), or
25-30% of the total dietary protein (one third of the protein in the
ration)
The use of Urea-Molasses-Mineral Block (UMMB) is highly
recommended during lean month feeding or when goats are fed
with low quality forage materials. The UMMB is a cheap source of
mineral supplement in the form of lick-block. Aside from mineral
elements, the UMMB provides non-protein nitrogen and energy
due to the presence of urea and rice bran, respectively.
The UMMB has the following composition:
Part by Weight Cost/kg Total Cost
Ingredient (Php) (Php)
(Kg)
Rice bran (D1) 38 5 190
Molasses 38 7 266
Urea 10 7 70
Cement 10 3 30
Salt 1 20 20
Dicalcium 3 15 45
phosphate
100 6.31 631
Total
Important Features of the UMMB
• Increases microbial protein
synthesis
• Supplies essential nutrients
• Causes no toxicity
• Easy to handle and transport
• Commercially feasible to produce
 Functions of the Ingredients
• palatability; source of sodium and
chlorine.
• Trace Minerals. These are sources of
macro and micro minerals.
 Functions of the Ingredients
• Molasses. A source of readily available energy; makes the
block palatable to the animal.
• Urea. Supplies NH3 needed by the rumen microbes to
synthesize microbial protein for the animal.
• Cement, calcite powder, Sodium (Na) bentonite. Serve as
binder for the block; source of calcium and sodium.
• Rice bran. Provides by-pass protein and fermentable
energy; serves as carrier of other ingredients.
• Salt. Improves palatability; source of sodium and chlorine.
• Trace Minerals. These are sources of macro and micro
minerals.
 Mixing Procedure
1. Place the weighed individual ingredients into the bucket.
2. Mix urea and molasses into the cement mixer until the urea is
dissolved.
3. Dissolve cement in a little water and mix with urea-molasses
solution through continuous mixing.
4. Add salt, trace minerals, and bone meal one after the other into
the solution, and allow mixing for 15 minutes.
5. Add the rice bran gradually until a homogenous mixture is
attained. Allow another 10 minutes mixing until the mixture forms
a dough-like product.
6. Unload the mixture and put into the molder with the tamper.
7. Allow the product to cure for two weeks before packing and
selling.
 Feeding the Block
The UMMB can be fed ad libitum to goats. Mature goats
can lick 50-80 grams per day.

Precautions:

• Do not offer the UMMB to animals younger than 6

months old, and to those pregnant animals on their
last trimester of pregnancy.
• Drinking water should be available (free choice) when
feeding with UMMB.
• Avoid feeding the block along with rain water
 Silage
Feeds used by the commercial raiser
are based largely on the silage, or
sugar cane tops and chopped sugar
cane with rice bran and copra meal
tapioca, pine apple pulp, local
cottonseed meal, wheat pollard, and
brewery spent grain.
Plant materials that can be made into
silage:
a. sugar cane tops
b. grasses
c. corn
d. sorghum
e. farm by-product
f. mixture of grasses and legumes Sorghum Plant
 Steps in Silage Making
1. Harvest grass just before the flowering stage. Corn and sorghum should be cut
at the semi-dough stage.
2. If moisture content of the harvested plant is higher than 70%, reduce moisture
by wilting from 60-70% to minimize or reduce nutrient loss through seepage.
3. Chop plant materials into 1-2.5 cm length.
4. Fill up the silo in one continuous operation; press the materials well to form a
compact mass. Exclusion of much of oxygen is essential. Rapid filling and packing
in the silo is essential for good silage.
5. Add silage conditioner (molasses, by-product concentrate) if the original plant
material is of poor quality. Molasses diluted 1:1 with water can be sprinkled over
the prepared material before loading at 2-4% by weight.
6. Cover the silage with plastic sheet to protect it from rain, and place some
weight on top. The silo must have a roof to prevent entry of rain water.
7. After one month, silage is ready for feeding.
8. Continuous feeding of silage should be followed after opening the silo to avoid
excessive spoilage of the exposed materials.
Qualities of Silage
• Very Good : has acid odor and taste; has no molds;
shows green color; has no butyric acid; has a pH value
of 3.5-4.2; has ammonia nitrogen less than 10% of total
nitrogen.
• Good : has acid odor and taste; exhibits trace amounts
of butyric acid; has a pH value of 4.2-4.5; has ammonia
nitrogen equivalent to 10-15% of total nitrogen.
• Fair : shows presence of butyric acid; shows presence of
molds; has a pH value of 4.5-4.8; has ammonia nitrogen
equivalent to 15-20% of total nitrogen.
• Poor : has an amount of butyric acid; is slimy; shows
presence of molds; has pH value of 4.8; has ammonia
nitrogen equivalent to 20% higher.
Urea-Treated Rice Straw
• Rice straw can be better utilized by goats when
treated with urea. For urea-treated rice straw
contains 30% more energy and twice more
protein, compared to untreated rice straw This is
prepared by mixing 10 kg dissolved rice straw
with a solution 600 g of urea into 10 liters of
water. The mixture should then be stored in
anaerobic condition for 7 to 14 days. Before
feeding, expose the treated straw for one day
 Make a Salt Lick
Materials:
• Bamboo (with node and internodes)
• Cross-cut Saw
Ingredients:
• Salt
• Molasses
Steps:
• 1. Choose a bamboo. Make an open portion of the bamboo
enough to put ingredients inside it.
• 2. Make an opening below near the bottom node.
• 3. Hang the salt lick in the goat shed where goats can lick on it.
Supplements ( Large Ruminants)
Supplements are products given in addition to the roughage in the cow’s diet, if
the roughage alone cannot satisfy the requirements for maintenance and
production. During the dry season in particular, the roughage (straw) provided is
usually not enough to cover maintenance requirements, or the animals are
unable to eat enough to survive. Also during the rest of the year if you want to
maintain a certain level of production, it could be wise to supplement your
animals.
Supplementation can take the form of an extra dose of nitrogen (for protein) by
treating straw with urea (contains nitrogen) or by providing extra urea
(nitrogen) and molasses (energy rich) in a solidified lick-block. You can treat
straw by adding 4 kg of urea to every 100 kg of air dry straw. Dissolve the urea
in water and spray this over the straw. Then cover the straw with some plastic
sheets. Use the treated straw as soon as possible. As this involves quite a lot of
work it is best to make enough to last for several days to a week. The first time
the animals may refuse to eat the treated straw because of the ammonia smell,
but if this happens it will only last a few days. Be sure that the benefits obtained
from this treatment are higher than the
costs (the price of urea).
Another possibility is to make a lick-block containing urea and
molasses. The block is given in addition to the roughage. These blocks
are attractive and palatable to ruminants because of the smell and
taste of molasses. Cows can consume up to 0.5 kg per day per animal,
depending on the size of the animal. The processing of crops leaves
waste products for which there is no further direct use. These are
sometimes called concentrates because they contain a lot of nutrients
and hardly any fibre in comparison with roughage. This feed
(concentrate) alone is not sufficient for the animal. Cows need
roughage to maintain the condition of the rumen. A minimum of one
third (1/3) of the feed supplied should be roughage. You can improve
production with supplements but it is costly. Supplements require
extra labour and money. Therefore they should only be used in the
more intensive systems such as the grazing-with supplementary-
feeding or zero-grazing systems, and when you are sure there is a
market for your products. Supplements can be divided into three
groups. Depending on the purpose of production of your cows you can
choose a different supplement.
Calculations of feed requirement
• Calculate forage demand. To calculate forage demand one must
know the average weight of the animals in a herd or flock and the number of
days in the planned grazing period. The amount of forage each animal will eat
daily can be estimated by multiplying the average body weight times 2.5%.
When forage is green and growing, animals can consume as much as 3.5% of
body weight and in the dormant season intake generally falls to about 1.5%. A
yearly average of 2.5% is usually acceptable. Studies comparing calculated
forage demand with actual long-term stocking rates reveal that using the figure
of 2% of body weight results in excessive stocking rate estimates. Therefore,
calculating forage demand as 2.5% of body weight results in a stocking rate
closer to proper stocking. This higher figure accounts for rejection of some
usable forage by the animal, use of forage by wildlife, and some trampling of
plants.
For example, a big old range cow that weighs 1200
pounds requires 30 pounds of forage per day (1200 lbs * 2.5%). If cattle
are grazed year-round, each cow would require 10,950 pounds (30 lbs * 365
days) of forage per year.
Calculate stocking rate.

The number of livestock that can be grazed on

the management unit surveyed for the desired
grazing period equals the pounds of usable
forage divided by the forage demand. For
example, 315,000 lbs of usable forage divided
by 10,950 pounds of forage demand equals 29
bison cows that can graze on the management
unit year-round.
Herd Health
Program
Health checks:
Be familiar with the common goat
problems so you can act quickly if they
appear in your herd. Notice the shape,
color, and texture of feces.
Be alert for changes in barn odor. Watch
for changes in the way each anima eats
and moves. Milk should be sweet, pure
white, free of odor and flow freely
without lumps or stringy masses
Temperature:
Use thermometer designed specifically for livestock,
however if it is not available, you can use rectal
thermometer.
Steps:
1. Lubricate the thermometer and shake it down
until it reads 100oF or less or 35o C.
2. Grasp the tail and slowly insert the
thermometer into the rectum about two inches
deep.
3. Wait for five minutes, read the temperature.
4. Wash and disinfect the thermometer after use.
Oral Medication:
Usually used for digestive problems, diarrhea,
worms, and bacterial infections.
Terminologies:
Drench – liquid medication
Drenching – administering of liquid medication.
Bolus – a large pill given to goats and other
livestock.
Balling gun – are designed to get the bolus
behind the tongue so the animal cannot spit it.
Proper Way of Drenching Animals:
Drenching the goats to expel internal parasites is a routine management
practice that should be done once or twice a year. Here is how it is done:
1. First, tie the goat, or get it in a corner. Hold its head towards your chest,
tilted a little sideways and back to allow the medicine to run slowly down
its throat.
2. Put the mouth of the bottle into the corner of its lips and pour the
liquid down slowly so that it will drop down the throat.
3. If the goat coughs, stop at once and let the head free. When it has
stopped coughing, continue drenching it. Be careful that you do not pour
the liquid into the wind pipe because this could cause pneumonia.
4. If you are drenching a small unruly goat, it will help if you stand across
it and hold it in place with your knees. It will soon resign itself and give
only a little trouble. You can then drench the whole herd in a few minutes.
5. It would also help to make drenching easy if the person who does the
drenching talks quietly and handles the animal gently. The goat will
become submissive after sometime.
 DRENCHING

Drenching a goat using a Drenching gun

drenching gun
Injections:
Any type of injection, to be
successful requires knowledge
of the exact location of
muscles, nerves and blood
veins as well as complete
restraint of goat.
Different Routes of Administration
Route Location Purpose
Under loose skin on Slow, sustained
Subcutaneous neck, flank, elbow, or absorption
withers

Intramuscular (IM) Muscle of hindquarters Rapid absorption

or side of the neck
Intravenous (IV) Jugular vein, milk vein Very rapid absorption
into the blood stream

Intra peritoneal (IP) Abdominal cavity on Slow, sustained

right side in hollow near absorption
Intra dermal Between skin layers in TB testing
caudal fold of tail

Intra ruminal Rumen at the left flank Administer anti-foaming

agent for bloat.
Intra mammary Udder Treat for mastitis
• Needles and syringes must be sterile.
• Disposable ones are cheap and are far easier,
safer, and less time consuming than trying to
sterilize them after each use.

A good health program for sheep and goats

involves prevention, rather than treatment, of
disease and parasites. Sheep and goats do not
respond well to treatment. You certainly want
your goats to be healthy, for healthy goats are
profitable and productive.
 Vaccination and Medication Procedures
A pre-weaning vaccination program may be hard to work into
your management system, but it is valuable because it "primes"
the immune system of the calf and allows the calf to still be
"mothered and comforted" during stressful periods of
vaccinations. Post weaning vaccination then boosts the immune
system. Remember, vaccination doesn't guarantee protection. A
number of factors, including stress, nutrition, weather and age
can hinder a normal immune response. However, a good
vaccination program takes these into account and can be used
like an insurance program. Your best advice comes from a
veterinarian familiar with your locale and your farm. Your
veterinarian is a key player in a profitable beef enterprise. He
will generally save you a lot more dollars than he will charge.
 Rules for proper vaccine use
Only purchase vaccine or other drugs from reputable
sources.
• Be sure products you buy are federally licensed and
approved for the intended use.
• Don't buy "second hand" or "bargain basement"
products.
• Read label instructions.
• Products work effectively only when used as specified
on the label.
• Instructions are given to get maximum immune
response, reduce chance of side effects and reduce risk of
residues.
Always check these items:

• proper dosage
• proper timing (interval between dosages & frequency)
• product approval for pregnant cows or very young calves
• recommended route of administration
• warnings or indications
• withdrawal period
• how to reconstitute
• storage requirements (if package says to refrigerate, keep
cold but don't freeze; keep vaccines on ice in cooler while
using and protect from sunlight as much as possible)
• shelf life or expiration date
Don't mix vaccines unless specifically told to do so. Look for
combination vaccines specifically designed to be used for types of
protection you need. Many vaccines will be inactivated (made
useless) by mixing. If a combination you want is not available -
give separate injections.
 If label specifically instructs you to mix vaccine, or when
reconstituting a modified live vaccine, don't mix more than you
can use in 30 minutes.
 Large, multi-dose bottles may be false economy.
 Make sure mixing is thorough and shake bottle occasionally to
keep it mixed.
 Don't keep leftover reconstituted vaccine. It is probably
contaminated with all sorts of bacteria and will not be effective.
• Be extra clean and sanitary. Put a new needle in bottle and use
only that needle to withdraw vaccine. Never stick a needle you
have stuck into an animal into a bottle.
Use the following guidelines:
• change needles every 10 to 15 injections.
• change burred, bent or dropped needles
immediately.
• keep separate syringes (label with masking tape
or marker) for each product.
• don't mix or alternate products in same syringe.
• use disposable syringes or sterilize properly.
• do not use disinfectant with syringes or needles
used to give modified live virus vaccines - boil in
water only.
• Use correctly sized syringes and needles of
appropriate gauge and length. Be sure syringes are
calibrated to deliver the desired dose. Be sure all
air is expelled from syringe. Air alters the dose
delivered and causes leakage of vaccine from the
needle and the injection site.
• A proper sized needle will reduce wastage and
ensure delivery to the expected site. Use only 18-
or 16-gauge needles. Use 1/2" or 3/4" for
administering SubQ (under the skin) and 1" or 1-
1/2" for administering IM (in the muscle). Base
your choice of needle on product, equipment and
size of animal.
 Routes for administration of
vaccines and drugs
Methods of administration are
important because they affect the
speed a vaccine enters the animal's
system. Using the wrong route may
not give required response, and in
fact, may result in no response
Oral
• Administration of boluses, tablets, liquids, or pastes through the mouth.
• For boluses and tablets, a balling gun is used with entry through the side of the mouth
and over the top of the tongue to the back of the throat, where the trigger mechanism of
the balling gun releases the bolus or tablet.
 The animal will usually swallow at this point, assuring consumption.
 Watch the throat area to determine if the material was swallowed.
• Caution should be used because rough handling with a balling gun can produce tender
areas in the mouth, making the animal go off feed or causing problems of a more serious
nature.
• Liquids and pastes can be administered with a dose syringe.
 The tip of the dose syringe should be inserted into the side of the mouth between the
teeth and over the tongue and directed into the back part of the throat.
 The liquid should then be dispensed at a moderate rate so that the animal has time to
swallow the material, rather than causing an overload, which could cause fluids to be
aspirated into the lungs.
 Another problem with dose syringes is that, in careless hands, severe damage can be
inflicted to the roof of the mouth when the tip of the syringe is gouged rather than gently
placed in the back of the throat.
Intranasal

• This is a relatively rare system used to

create local resistance to disease affecting
the respiratory tract.
 Most of the antibody protection will be in an
animal's general system and vaccine must be in
small amounts to permit absorption into the
respiratory system.
Intramuscular – IM

• Injection deep into the meaty area of the neck muscle,

not in the round or loin or hip.
• This may be difficult until you are familiar with this
technique.
• However, we must all work to keep scar tissue (gristle)
out of our consumer's T-Bone and Round steaks!
• Absorption is rapid due to good blood supply.
• A 1-1/2" long needle should be used, allowing
complete penetration of skin and fat and partial
penetration of muscle.
• Volume of injection should never be more than 10 ml
Subcutaneous - SubQ
• Injection under the skin.
• This route gives a slow but sustained absorption
due to small blood supply.
• Injection site is where the skin is loose in the neck
area.
• Loose skin is gathered and needle inserted
through gathered area.
• A 1/2" to 3/4" long needle can be used.
• SubQ is always the preferred route of
administration when label gives a choice between
IM and SubQ.
Intravenous – IV

• This route is used when you need a quick response.

• Drugs are rapidly available to animal's system in larger
volume and tissue irritation is avoided.
• Best site is jugular vein, located between the neck muscles
and throat on the side of the neck (ideal site is
approximately one-third of the distance between jaw and
chest).
• Site should be wet with alcohol, 1-1/2" to 2" long needle
should be inserted at a 30 degree angle pointing toward the
body.
• Slight suction on the syringe should produce blood in the
fluid and injection should be slow and steady
Implanting
• The proper technique is to insert the needle approximately midway
between the tip and base of the ear, avoiding cartilage ribs and
blood vessels.
• Once needle is inserted up to the hilt, withdraw needle one-half way
and deposit implant.
• You should be able to feel pellets under the skin.
• Improper implantation can lead to poor absorption, usually caused
by
 gouging of the cartilage of the ear
 intradermal rather than subcutaneous implantation
 severing one of the veins of the ear, causing hemorrhage.
• Observe the "Thumb Rule" when implanting.
 Always place implants at least a thumb's width away from ear tags,
ear notches, old implant sites, etc., to avoid lack of proper
absorption of implant material
INJECTION SITE FOR RUMINANTS
Implement
Medication
Program
 Herd Health Management (CATTLE)

A good herd health program is essential to any

operation
• Provides for healthier, better performing
cattle
• Helps insure you are producing a safe,
wholesome product
• Good herd health provides economic savings
• Decreased respiratory illness increases
profitability and carcass quality
A high quality herd health program is essential to any cattle
operation. Having a good herd health program will decrease
the number of sick cattle in most operations, and generally
healthy cattle are better performing cattle.
A good herd health management program will also
encourage the production of safe, healthy and wholesome
products. A good herd health program reduces the
incidence of sickness and reduces treatment costs.
Studies have shown that cattle in the feedlot diagnosed
with respiratory illness will produce a carcass with a lower
quality grade. Typically sick cattle are less profitable than
healthy cattle because of increased treatment costs and the
decreased value of their carcass.
Recommended Practices for Improving Herd
Health
• A clean environment
• Adequate nutrition program
• Good reproduction (A.I. and
Calving) practices
• Quality vaccination management
• Keeping records
Veterinarian's Role in Herd Health
• Veterinarians play an important role in
preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases.
• Definition of Valid Veterinary/Client/Patient
Relationship (VCPR)
Your veterinarian plays an important role in
preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases.
Selecting the right treatment and prevention plan
depends on accurately diagnosing the problem. Work
with your local veterinarian to develop a healthcare
program designed to fit your operations needs. It is
essential to develop a valid
veterinarian/client/patient relationship (VCPR).
"An appropriate veterinarian/client/patient relationship will exist
when:
(1) the veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making
medical judgments regarding the health of the animal(s) and
the need for medical treatment, and the client (owner or
caretaker) has agreed to follow the instructions of the
veterinarian; and when
(2) there is sufficient knowledge of the animal(s) by the
veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary
diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal(s). This means
that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally
acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal(s), and/or
by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises
where the animal(s) are kept; and when
(3) the practicing veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in
case of adverse reactions or failure of regimen of therapy."
 Health problems
Cattle of all ages--but particularly young, growing
cattle--are subject to a variety of ailments. They
range from mild conditions to severe infectious
diseases that may cause death within 24 hours.
Prevention is the easiest and cheapest method of
disease control. Clean sheds, lots, and feed and
water troughs give disease less chance to get
started. A sound vaccination program, parasite
control, and frequent observation of the herd also
help to reduce the occurrence of illness.
You can recognize a sick animal first by its abnormal
behavior or physical appearance. Droopy ears, loss of
appetite, head down, scouring (diarrhea), or inactivity may
indicate illness. A high temperature usually indicates
disease.
The best course of action is to find a sick animal quickly,
treat it, and then work to eliminate the cause of the
sickness. If one or two animals come down with a disease,
the rest of the herd has been or will be exposed to it.
Health problems are more common during and after periods
of stress, including calving, weaning, shipping, working or
moving the cattle, and extreme weather conditions. Stress
can reduce an animal's ability to resist infectious agents.
After a period of stress, give extra attention to your animals'
health
 Common cattle diseases
The following are five of the more common health
problems that beef producers encounter. You also need to
be aware of other diseases that affect the health of
livestock in your region.
Respiratory diseases
Respiratory diseases are common in cattle. A number of
factors contribute to an outbreak: inadequate nutrition,
stress, and viral or bacterial infection. Good management
and vaccination of cows and calves is the best way to
prevent outbreaks of respiratory disease. Your veterinarian
or Extension agent can help you develop a program to
reduce losses on your ranch and in the feedlot.
Brucellosis (Bang's disease)
Brucellosis (Bang's disease) is a serious disease. It
causes abortion and sterility in cattle, bison, elk,
and deer, and undulant fever in humans. Federal
and state laws effectively outline brucellosis
control. Vaccination is required for all heifers.
Brucellosis most commonly enters a herd through
the purchase of infected cattle. To help prevent
brucellosis from entering your herd, vaccinate all
heifers between ages 4 to 10 months, and
purchase only brucellosis vaccinated cattle.
External parasites
External parasites include horn flies, face flies,
stable flies, heel flies, and lice. The largest health
problem comes from the additional stress these
insects cause to animals. When infested, cattle
spend more time in the shade and don't graze,
which causes poor performance. You can reduce
these problems by using fly-repellent ear tags or
another parasite control treatment. Eliminating
the areas where pests reproduce also helps to
reduce the severity of external parasites.
Internal parasites
Internal parasites such as roundworms, lungworms, and liver
flukes commonly occur in cattle. These hidden parasites
cause poor performance and occasionally kill young animals.
Cattle are likely to pick up internal parasites when they graze
established pastures. Internal parasites also can be a
problem in confined areas. Invasion of the stomach or
intestinal wall by a parasite leads to poor digestion of
nutrients and damage to organs. Signs of parasite infestation
include scouring, rough hair coat, poor gains, and potbelly
appearance. Use dewormers at strategic times during the
year to reduce the numbers of internal parasites. Use fecal
sampling to determine the severity of the infestation and
the type of dewormer that will be effective
Disease control

Vaccinations and parasite controls are available

for many of the diseases affecting cattle. The
choice of remedy and time of application
depend on a variety of things, including the
animal's nutritional level, disease prevalence in
the herd, and the region in which the cattle are
located.
 signs of good health in your goats:
1. Contentment
2. Alertness
3. Eating with relish
4. Sleek coat’ pliable and elastic skin;
5. Bright eyes and pink eye membrane;
6. Normal temperature /Pulse Rate & respiration
Rate Goat (38.8 – 40.2 oC), pulse rate (70-80 /
min.), and breathing rate (12-15 / min.). Sheep
(38.3 -39.9oC); pulse rate (70-80/min.); and
breathing rate (12-15/min)
7. Normal feces and urine.
New goats coming into the herd should be isolated for at least 30 days before mixing with
the herd to prevent outbreak of the disease that could still be incubating. You don’t want
disease and pest-infested animals in your herd. Such animal is uneconomical, require a
high cost of production and are not profitable. This means that it is a losing proposition to
keep sick and infested animals.
signs of poor health in your goats:
1. Standing off from the group;
2. Loss of appetite;
3. Decreased milk production in milking does
4. Dehydration;
5. Above or below normal temperature
6. Pale mucosa around eyes and in mouth;
7. Diarrhea;
8. Heavy mucus in nose and mouth
9. Runny eyes
10.Limping;
11.Abnormal general posture and manner of walking;
12.Hair falling out or rough in appearance; external changes in the different regions of the
body;
13.External changes in different regions of the body;
14.Emaciation in advanced cases
An example of lactating doe suffering from Anemia
 HEALTH
MANAGEMENT
 A Program of Disease and Parasite
Prevention
The following steps are important for you to ensure a disease-free and
parasite-free herd:
1. Bring only healthy animals into the herd. Many serious
diseases can be detected through a test for the diseases. A
veterinarian may prevent serious losses if he/she is asked to
examine the animals before they join the herd.
2. Keep the area dry and free of stagnant water. Paved lots aid in
keeping animals out of the mud and filth.
3. Isolate all animals that are known to have a contagious
disease. Animals that have been purchased or acquired later
than the herd should be isolated until they are certified to be
free from diseases.
4. Have the breeding herd tested at least once a year for brucellosis
and other diseases for which tests have been developed.
5. Vaccinate the animals for any disease prevalent in the
community if such vaccines exist.
6. Disinfect housing and equipment regularly.
7. Treat open wounds and navels of newly-born animals with
reliable disinfectants.
8. Provide plenty of exercise for the breeding herd.
9. Spray or dust animals against external parasites such as flies and
mites. Eliminate manure piles and other filth accumulations where
flies breed.
10. If animals give birth in a place other than clean pastures, be
sure that the area is well bedded and disinfected.
11. Avoid cold floors and drafty housing quarters for young animals
delivered during the cold weather.
Disease
Disease is defined as any departure
from the normal state of health.
Anything that they may bring about
an abnormal condition of any or all
tissues of the body is a disease-
producing agent.
Classification of Diseases

A. According to Cause
1. Bacterial disease – caused by bacteria.
2. Viral disease – caused by virus.
3. Protozoan disease – caused by
protozoa.
4. Parasite – caused by parasites.
B. According to infectiousness
1. Infectious – caused by the entrance of infectious
agents and which may spread the disease.
2. Noninfectious – those induced by poor nutrition.

C. According to Transmissibility
1. Contagious – diseases readily communicable to
susceptible individuals.
2. Non-contagious – those that are not readily
transmitted to others
D. According to Duration
1. Peracute – the brief duration of a disease condition
characterized by death within a very short period.
2. Acute – a disease with violent symptoms terminating either
in death or recovery after a brief period.
3. Subacute – disease that runs for a longer period, like
tuberculosis.

E. According to Occurrence
4. Sporadic – occurrence of an epidemic in which the disease
is not widespread but is found only in a few isolated places.
5. Endemic – occurrence of an epidemic in which the disease
is spread throughout a district or locality.
6. Epizootic – occurrence of a widespread epidemic disease.
 COMMON DISEASES OF GOATS
A. Common Infectious Diseases of Goats
1. Bacterial scours in kids
Cause: Enteropathogens
Transmission: - Direct infection from infected or
contaminated udders.
- Navel infection;
- Genital or intrauterine infection
of dam.
- Contaminated environment.
Symptoms:

- (Occurs as early as 24 hours after birth)

- Pasty yellowish white feces later becoming
more liquid with fermented or pungent odor
- Kid weak with sunken eyeball
- Unsteady gait
- Rough hair coat
- Mortality due to dehydration
Prevention:

- Proper nursing in clean dry environment

Colostrum especially for newborn kids.
- Antibiotic treatment.
- Fluid replacement by parenteral means
for early cases (requires technical
assistance)
2. Pneumonia
Cause: - Pneumopathogens
Transmission: - Maybe in the bacterial scours.
Symptoms: - Fever
- Inability to suckle
-Nasal discharge
-Coughing
-Respiratory distress
-Gradual emaciation (may terminate as
that leads to pneumonia-enteritis)
Prevention: - Proper nursing in clean, dry environment –
- Antibiotic.
3. Infectious Arthritis
Cause: - Multiple bacterial agents
-Dirty or unsanitary pens and areas of confinement.
Transmission: - Direct-through mouth, skin.
-Open wounds.
-Via Umbilicus.
Symptoms: - Swollen knees; swollen joints like the hock, knee, elbow,
stifle; lameness, and pain if pressure is applied on affected joints
-Fever
-Being recumbent.
-Loss of appetite
Prevention: - Minimize infection by treating wounds (castration) and
dressing the navel –
-Hygienic management especially in areas of confinement.
-Treat with wide spectrum anti-biotic and sulfa drugs
4. Mastitis

Cause: - Multiple bacterial agents Mycoplasma;

Streptococcus; Pasteurella; Corynebacteria;
Nocardia; Candida; Escherichia spp.
-Sores or wounds on the teat, physical
damage to the udder, oral infection in kids,
such as sore mouth or scabby mouth,
unsanitary milking.
Transmission: - Direct or indirect.
Symptoms: - Hot, painful and swollen udder
becoming red due to inflammation; changing to
dark reddish-blue indicating necrosis of udder
tissue
-Sometimes blood stained milk, with
flakes or clots
-Fever
-Loss of appetite
-Depression
-Dehydration
-Unsteady gait or movement is affected
Prevention: -
-Intramammary infusion of antibiotics. (Early and
repeated treatment needed to prevent
complications such as gangrene and toxemia)

-Proper treatment of injured teats with

antiseptics.
-Disinfecting udders for milking and proper
milking technique.
-Surveillance to detect early cases for immediate
isolation and treatment
5. Contagious Ecthyma/Sore Mouth (Orf)
Cause: - Virus
Transmission: - Direct contact, indirect through
contact with fomites
Symptoms: - Scabby lesions in the lips, muzzle,
eyelids, udder, teats and feet
-Warty growth in some areas which
maybe deep and may become necrotic or ulcerous
Prevention: - Vaccination.
-Application of astringent lotions (alum)
-Application of antibiotic ointments to
prevent secondary complications.
6. Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
Cause: - Virus. Types identified in the
Philippines are A, O, C
Transmission:
- Direct and indirect contact with
naturally infected animals, carriers, implements
and other infected materials.
-Blister fluid, saliva and other highly
infectious bodily discharges
Symptoms: - Fever
-Vesicles, erosion in between hooves,
coronary band (junction between skin and hoot),
teats and udders, oral mucosa and tongue
-Raw ulceration following rupture of
vesicles
-Stringy or foamy salivation
- Smacking of the lips
-Difficulty in feed ingestion
-Staggering gait and lameness
-Abortion in pregnant animals
Prevention:
-Immediate notification of the
authorities.
-Designation of quarantine areas and
restricted movement of animals.
-Disinfecting areas with virucidal agents
(commercial disinfectant or lye caustic soda).
-Keeping animal on dry ground and
treating lesions with mild antiseptic (5% formalin).
-Mass immunization and effective
restriction in movement of animals and carriers is
necessary.
7. Brucellosis
Cause: - Bacteria
Transmission: - Ingestion of contaminated feed and water.
-Infection from aborted fetus, fetal membrane,
placenta, urine, and uterine discharge
-Natural/artificial breeding with infested males.
Symptoms: - Infertility
-Abortion
-Retained placenta
-Persistent vaginal discharge
-In males, swollen and painful testicles with subsequent
infertility/sterility
Prevention: - Blood tests
-Removal of infected animals
-Vaccination may be tried
8. Hemorrhagic Septicemia
Cause: - Bacteria (Pasteurella multocida)
-Climatic stress
-Fatigue
-Transport
-Nutritional and Parasitic stress
Transmission: - Ingestion or inhalation of infective
agent
- Maybe normally present in the
nasopharyngeal area but predisposition causes
flare-up of infection
Symptoms:
-High fever
-Loss of appetite
-Respiratory distress
-Salivation
-Nasal discharges
-Swelling of the throat
-Brisket congestion of mucous membrane,
-Bloody diarrhea
Prevention:
-Prophylactic vaccination.
-Removal of predisposition when possible.
-Early treatment with parenteral antibiotics and
sulfa drugs.
9. Anthrax
Cause: - Bacteria (Bacillus anthracis)
Transmission: - Biting flies; -
-Direct ingestion of infected material.
- Indirect transmission through contact with materials and
carriers.
Symptoms: - Sudden onset of fever
-Depression
-Loss of appetite
-Swelling of chest, head, belly, and legs
-Bloody diarrhea
-Death common in early stages
-Colic
-Abortion in pregnant animals
-Blood-stained discharges
-Convulsions
Prevention: -

-Vaccination in areas where anthrax

is endemic.
-Dead animal should be cremated or
buried deeply under a layer of lime.
-Antibiotic treatment is effective only
in early and less acute cases.
10. Tetanus
Cause: - Bacteria (Clostridium tetani)
Transmission: - Direct infection due to introduction of organism in wounds.
-Castration, old ulcerating wounds, dehorning complications
-Not contagious to other animals
Symptoms: - Early stages characterized by:
-Rigidity and stiffness of muscles
-Stilthy gait –
Late stages:
-Titanic convulsions
-Prolapse of third eyelid
-Stiff tail
-Head and neck thrown back
-Hyperexcitability
-Tendency to be bloated
Prevention: - Treat wound with oxidizing antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide) until
completely healed.
B. Metabolic Diseases of Goats
1. Bloat
Cause:
- Occurs under ordinary condition of management especially when fed
lush herbage
Transmission: - Non-contagious
Symptoms:
- Swollen left flank which is resonant when tapped
- Colic signs such as uneasiness, difficult respiration, bloating
- Absence of rumen movements
Prevention:
- Feed straw or fibrous diets before turning loose on lush pasture.
- Puncture rumen with large needle (gauge 15-16) or trocar and
canula.
- Oils and fats (mineral oil, vegetable oil or tallow) are satisfactory to
prevent foaming in the rumen.
- Commercial antibloat preparations are Avlinox, Tympanol, Bloatguard.
2. Urinary calculi

Cause: - Associated with faulty mineral nutrition, confinement, and concentrate feeding
- Inadequate water intake
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Infections of the urinary tract with Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma
Transmission: - Non-infectious except when due to urinary tract infections
Symptoms:
- Observed in adult male goats
- Animal is uneasy or restless
- Shows still gait when moving with hind legs under the body
- Making frequent but unsuccessful urination
- Painful urination
Prevention: - Ensure ample water supply.
- Give prophylactic Vitamin A supplements.
- Correct mineral in the diet.
- Provide 3-5% salt in the concentrate to decrease magnesium and phosphate
deposition.
3. Milk fever
Cause: - Mineral deficiency specifically calcium and
magnesium
Transmission: - Non-transmissible
Symptoms: - Loud breathing
-Temperature of affected animals declines and
collapses suddenly
- Sometimes coma is followed by death
- For calcium, appears few days after kidding
- For magnesium, occurs month after kidding
Prevention: - Animal should be given feeds rich in minerals
- Inject correct dose of calcium to the animal
4. Anemia
Cause: - low-level hemoglobin or red-blood cells
- Iron and copper deficiency
- Blood loss due to internal bleeding or external bleeding
caused by external wounds
Transmission: - Non-transmissible
Symptoms: - Lack of appetite
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Pale mucus membranes in the eye
Prevention: - Balanced diet especially the needed copper and iron
- Periodic deworming to eradicate blood
-sucking parasite
- Inject appropriate dose of Vitamin B12
C. Common External Parasites in
Goats and Sheeps

1. Lice

Biting louse (Damalinia limbata)

Biting louse (Damalinia caprae)
Sucking louse (Linognathus africanus)
Cause: - Unthriftiness; poor coat
Symptoms: - Constant scratching and rubbing to relieve itching
and irritation
- Scurfy coat (dandruff) and encrustation
- Exudation of scabby deposits
- Loss of hair, raw skin, and bruises in severe
infestations
- Becoming unthrifty, poor thriving, weak and
anemic
Prevention: - Use insecticide (Asuntol, Ciodrin, Neguvon, etc.)
In dust form or solution.
- Treat within 10-14 days to kill all nymphs which
hatch out.
- Spray pens and litter.
- Isolate treated from untreated animals.
2. Mites
Mange Mite (Psoroptes communis var caprae)
Mange Mite (Psorochorioptes sp. and Thrombidid sp)
Mange Mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var caprae)
Cause: - Mange or scabies
Symptoms:
- Marked itchiness and irritation with animals constantly
- rubbing or licking affected areas; maybe patchy or
generalized
- Skin becomes hairless, thickened or scabby Prevention:
- Periodic examination to detect early cases.
- Regular spraying with effective acaricides such as
Malathion, Trichlorfon,Fenthion; Interval of treatment should be
7- 10 days with 2-3 applications to destroy mites that have
hatched after each treatment.
3. Bowfly or Cutaneous myasis
Symptoms: - Open wounds or sores with
squirming maggots
- May terminate in death due to
systemic toxemia gangrene or septic absorption
Prevention: - Proper cleaning and dressing of
all wounds with antiseptics or with fly repellants.
- For treatment, scraping to refresh
old wounds and kill maggots. Applying dressing as
spray, ointments or solution on wounds.
(Negasunt, Malathion, Lindane, etc.).
4. Ticks
Cause: - Tick worry

D. Common Internal Parasites in Goats

and Sheep
1. Parasitic gastroenteritis
Cause: - Various species of parasitic nematodes
in the digestive tract. (Young animals most
susceptible)
Transmission: - Commonly through direct infection with
parasitic larval stages through herbages. Less commonly
through skin penetration and intrauterine infection in
some cases.
Symptoms: - Poor body condition
- Anemia
- Diarrhea
- Potbelly and weakness
Prevention: - Regular deworming with effective
anthelmintics (tetramisole, parbendazole, thibendazole,
pyrantel, etc.).
- Pasture rotation and improved feeding
practices.
2. Parasitic Pneumonia
Cause: - Dictyocaulus spp. (adult stages in
the bronchioles of lungs)
Transmission: - Infection with the parasite in the
larval stage through herbage
Symptoms: - As in parasitic gastroenteritis for
general signs
- Persistent husky coughing
- Respiratory distress
Prevention: - Regular deworming with
Tetramisole, Albendazole or Oxfendazole.
3. Tapeworm infection

Cause: - Moniezia spp.

Transmission: - Through ingestion of plant mites
which are intermediate hosts.
Symptoms: - Parasitic gastroenteritis
- Passage of tapeworm segments
in the feces
Prevention: - Regular deworming with
Tetramisole, Albendazole or Oxfendazole
4. Liverfluke infection

Cause: - Fasciola gigantica and F. hepatica. Requires

intermediate host (Lymnea auricularia)

Transmission: - Direct infection through ingestion of parasitic

stage (metacercaria) attached in grasses. Presence of this stage
related to availability of snail host.
- Common in low-lying communities with water
logged areas, rivers, streams and stagnant pools.
Symptoms: - Poor body condition
- Anemia
- Diarrhea
- Potbelly and weakness
Prevention:
- Regular deworming with flukicides at
proper intervals (3-4 times a year);
- Consultation with veterinarian
for proper drug, dosage, and intervals
- Control of snail hosts
- Pasture improvements
- Keeping animals away from
known infected sources of herbage
5. Coccidiosis
Cause: - Protozoa (Eimeria spp.) generally not a primary
condition but exist with other enteric diseases.
Transmission: - Direct infection by ingestion (oocyst).
- Thrives in moist or damp and unsanitary areas.
Symptoms: - Common only in kids
- Profuse and bloody diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Anemia
Prevention: - Cleaning environment and maintaining general
sanitation.
- Treating with sulfa drugs only.
- Proper nursing and supportive treatment with
injectable electrolytes.
 Regular Parasite Control Program
Parasitism is claimed as the primary problem by farmers in the
rural areas
.
Factors contributing to the survival of parasites:

• Distribution of rainfall and the humid environment are conducive to the

growth, multiplication, and perpetuation of parasites in the animals.
• A wide range of possible intermediate hosts coexisting with animal parasites
permits the continuity of the parasites’ lifecycle.
• Tethering or staking system allows seeding of pasture with parasite eggs and
eventual direct infection through the soil, grass, and the animals themselves
may carry the infective stage of the parasite.
• The upgrading of indigenous breed in the country resulted in increased
susceptibility of animals to parasites and diseases. Native breeds are observed
to be resistant to parasitism.
• Improper housing, grazing management, and stock movement may allow the
growth of parasites.
 Types of Parasites and their Effects on the
Host
Ectoparasites Endoparasites
these are found on the these are parasites which
external surface of the affect the internal body
animal’s body, such as skin organs.
and hairs.
Ex.
Ex.:
liver flukes,
lice,
kidney worms,
ticks,
mites,
lungworms,
and flies and intestinal worms
 Modes of Transmission
1. Ingestion of parasites in the infective stage through
food and water
2. Ingestion of parasites in the infective stage through
arthropods (mites, beetle, ants and grasshoppers).
3. Ingestion of parasites in the infective stage through
snails, slugs, and earthworms
4. Introduction of parasites in the infective stage
through bites of arthropods ( ticks and flies)
5. Penetration of parasites in the infective stage
through the skin
6. Ingestion of infective larvae through the milk
7. Transplacental transmission
Methods to Control Parasites

Environmental Control

1. Control of immediate transport host

• Destruction of these intermediate hosts and
their breeding places reduces their population
and break the life cycle of these parasites.
2. Sanitation and hygienic measures
Recommended Deworming Schedules

1. Kids and lambs should receive their first anthelmintic dose

at 2 weeks – 1 month of age if threadworm is a problem in the
herd. This must be repeated 3 months after against almost all
internal parasites except liver flukes.
2. Animals more than one year of age should be dewormed
with an anthelmintics that is effective against all stages of the
parasites a month before the onset of the rainy season.
3. Pregnant animals should be dewormed two weeks before
the expected date of kidding.
4. In areas where fluke infection is high, breeders should be
dewormed two weeks before they are bred. An effective
flukecide should be given every three months on the first year,
every six months on the second year, and yearly thereafter.
Indigenous Worm Control Options for Goats

In view of the cost of chemical dewormers and the preference of consumers

for organically produced goats, most farmers resort to traditional ways of
tackling worm problems.

Drench of soy sauce. This drench is the common soy sauce made from the
mixture of soybean extract, water, iodized salt, natural caramel color and
0.1% sodium benzoate. If animal raisers observe signs of parasitism in their
animals, they may apply as a drench a bottle of about 350ml soy sauce (per
animal) to cattle and buffaloes. Goats are given about half of this amount.
Tree leaves and shrubs. The fresh leaves of jackfruit (Artocarpus
heterophylus), ipil-ipil (Leucaena leucocephala), madre de cacao (Gliricidia
sepium), camachile (Pithecellobium dulce), and sow thistle (Streblus asper)
are fed ad libitum for at least one (1) week. Sow thistle stems are also used
but are boiled first and the liquid is applied as a drench once a day. In the
same way, jackfruit leaves are also boiled and the liquid is given orally. The
jackfruit preparation is given again after a week. Young pods of Leucaena
may also be given ad libitum when they are available.
Effectiveness

• According to farmers in the Philippines, all these methods help

to reduce if not control parasite loads in their animals
especially in goats. For one thing, leaves from shrubs and trees
are often free from infective larvae since they grow too high
and are too dry to allow larval survival. Moreover, leaves of the
plants listed above are known to have anthelmintic properties.
• An analysis of goat manure carried out by a diagnostic
laboratory in Cebu, Philippines, showed zero worms (eggs per
gram) after the tree leaves and shrubs were given to the goats.
Whether the effect is due to better nutrition or the actual effect
of the practice on the parasite is difficult to know. But one thing
is sure – these practices certainly helped reduce parasite
infections in goats.
 Waste Management
• Once every month, collect the manures
under the animal sheds and spread in the
field or at the base of the trees. If the
manures are intended to be used in paddies
or in cash crop, allow the manure to
decompose before their application. The
manure could also be mixed during land
preparation.