RUSSELL, Man. -The Manitoba Goat Association recommends fecal testing as a way to manage one of the most serious challenges facing goat producers.
The association describes internal parasites such as worms and coccidia as the top killers of goats.
Learning how to test goat feces for those parasites will help reveal how prevalent they are before deciding on an appropriate treatment. Another option is to have a veterinarian test the feces.
Manitoba Agriculture livestock specialist Lyle McNichol said there are a number of parasitic worms that can afflict goats, including tapeworms, lungworms and liver flukes.
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As well, coccidia are single-celled parasites that attach themselves to goats’ gut linings and can cause problems such as bloody diarrhea.
According to the goat association, fecal testing is not difficult. Aside from a microscope and test tubes, only basic tools are needed. The association demonstrated how to do a fecal test during a goat production seminar in Russell, Man., on March 8.
It takes time to learn how to identify the different parasites. Producers who are unable to tell which parasites they have found during a fecal test could ask a veterinarian for help once the parasites had been separated from the feces and placed on a glass slide for viewing under a microscope.
The association advises a follow-up fecal test once a treatment is chosen to make sure it is effective.
