Disease Prevention In Goats

Bio-security

We all take different precautionary measures to protect our wealth. Our farm animals are also our wealth  & we must protect them  against diseases. The measure we adopt to protect our farm animals from disease are called Biosecurity. It is a planned integrated approach to reduce disease incidence in a farm. Here are some important biosecurity measures for sheep/goat farm

1-   Control cat, dog ,rodent & insect population inside farm premises as they carry & spread diseases.  Cats should be kept away from sheep & goats  as they are major carrier of toxoplasma which causes  abortion .

2-   Limit visitors into your farm as  disease causing organisms enter farm through their shoes sole. Visitors must disinfect their shoes in antiseptic foot bath before entering in to the farm.

3-   Limit entry of vehicles in to your farm as disease causing organisms enter farm through contaminated  tyre  of the wheel. Disinfect tyres of vehicle entering in to your farm by spraying  a disinfectant liquid.

4-   Feed of sheep & goat should not be moldy. If moldy feed is found in a farm it should be buried.

5-   Deworm your animals at regular interval  after faecal sample examination

6-   Vaccinate your animals against contagious diseases 

7-    Do not mix sick animals with healthy animals. Isolate sick animals in a separate pen.

8-   In case of abortion in ewe/Doe Remove the  dead fetus & placenta immediately  & burry it. The lambing/kidding area should be disinfected with an  antiseptic lotion.

9-   Do not mix newly purchased animals with other farm animals, New animals should be housed separately for 21 days to one month & watched for presence of disease. Trim the feet of newly purchased animals & treat it locally with 10% zinc sulphate.

10-   Do not mix your animals with animals of other farm.

11-   Do not share  your farm equipments with other farmers

12-   Disinfect farm equipments before sharing if it is unavoidable 

13-   Do not allow ewe/doe of other farms to breed with buck/Ram of your farm &  vice versa.

14-   Avoid taking your animals to shows/exhibitions as there is increased chance infection in shows/exhibitions

15-   Conduct post mortem examination by a veterinarian In case of death of a farm animal .If death is due to any  contagious disease  take preventive measures accordingly in consultation  with the Vet.

By taking these biosecurity measures you can reduce disease incidence in your farm & maximize your profit. 

Deworming In Sheep & Goats

Sheep & goats are  susceptible to worm infection due to their grazing habitat. Deworming is one most important disease prevention measures for them.  Internal  Parasites harbours  in alimentary track & other internal organs(liver ,bile duct etc.) of sheep &  goats. They suck blood , digested nutrients ,damage tissue  & make animals week , emaciated. Helminthes parasites of sheep & goats can be broadly divided in to three Categories Round Worms ,Flukes & Tape Worms. Out of the these  Barber pole worm (Haemonchus) a type of round worm   , is the  most important & dangerous  internal parasites of sheep & goats. In heavy worm infestation animal may die without any symptoms in some other cases death occurs after diarrhea & colic. Worm infestation is more after rainy season. You can follow the following principles for  deworming of your flocks.

i.   Randomly collect fecal sample of 10% animals get it examined to find the parasitic load
ii.   Choose appropriate dewormer in consultation with a veterinarian
iii.   Use appropriate dose (under dose may create drug resistance & over dose may kill your animals) 
iv.    Deworm your animals at least twice in a year.
v.   The first deworming should be conducted before rainy season in the month of June & July. Repeat drenching of drug on 21st day of first deworming .
vi.   The second deworming should be conducted  after rainy season in the month of October.
vii.   Use a drenching gun/ syringe for effective drug delivery
viii.   Conduct fecal sample examination on 10th day of deworming to know the effectiveness of the drug.
ix.   Change  deworming drug every time to prevent drug resistance.
x.   Do not sell your  dewormed animals during  withdrawal period

Control of coccidiosis in sheep & goat

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of sheep & goats .This disease is caused by single cell protozoa Emeria sp .The parasite remains  in small intestine & damage  lining of small intestine. This parasite affects lambs & kids  from 2-6 months of age. Affected lambs and kids suffer from diarrhea stained with blood & mucus. Death occurs in kids & lambs due to dehydration. Some animals do not show any symptoms externally but there is stunted growth. Outbreaks of coccidiosis occurs due to over crowding & poor sanitation. You can follow to following steps to prevent coccidiosis in your farm

1-   Provide adequate floor space to sheep & goats as over crowding is a major cause of the disease
2-   Prevent contamination of feed & water  as adult  sheep & goats are carriers of the parasite. They  shed oocyst  in their feces which is the major source of infection for  kids and lambs.
3-   Preventive dose of coccidiostat can be given to given to kids and lambs in consultation with a veterinarian. Coccidiostart can be mixed with feed as a preventive metod.
4-   Treat the infected animals with  anti coccidial drugs as per prescription of the veterinarian
5-   In case of outbreak clean & disinfect pen daily this will reduce source of infection