Internal & External Parasites of Goats

Jim Miller - Louisiana State University

Unit Objective

After completion of this module of instruction the producer should be able to observe goat’s symptoms for possible infestation of parasites by personal observations and by using the FAMACHA© Eye Color Chart. The producer should be able to identify specific parasite problems within the goat herd and develop a management/control program for controlling parasites within the goat herd. The producer should be able to complete all assignments with 100% accuracy and score a minimum of 85% on the module test.

Specific Objectives

After completion of this instructional module the producer should be able to:

  1. State the most serious constraint affecting small ruminant production worldwide.
  2. Identify economic losses due to parasites within the goat herd.
  3. State the parasite effect with goats when goats are managed as browsers.
  4. Identify one of the most serious nematodes that affects goats.
  5. Identify some systems of goats affected by the Barber-pole worm.
  6. State the effect of nutrition as related to parasite interaction.
  7. Identify the stages in the life cycle of the parasite.
  8. State the four phases of the Epizootiologic cycle of parasites.
  9. Distinguish between the Barberpole worm and the Brown stomach worm.
  10. Distinguish between the Bankrupt worm and the Long-necked bankrupt worm.
  11. Distinguish between the nodular worm and the whipworm.
  12. Identify general signs of parasitized animals.
  13. State the function of a fecal egg count.
  14. State the meaning and interpretation of Blood Packed Cell Volume.
  15. State the affect of anemia with parasite infestation.
  16. Match the FAMACHA© Eye Color Chart level of anemia to the meaning/interpretation of the different levels.
  17. State the purpose of dewormers.
  18. Identify the three general classes of dewormers.
  19. State the three general formulations of dewormers.
  20. Identify the different ways of administering dewormers.
  21. Identify some commonly used dewormers in goats including amount to give and withdrawal time from meat and milk.
  22. State why goats develop a resistance from some dewormers.
  23. State some facts for smart use of dewormers.
  24. State meaning of mixed/alternate livestock species grazing.
  25. State the effect of parasite control by using pasture rotation.
  26. State the benefit of genetic improvement with parasite control.
  27. Identify the two approved dewormers for goats.
  28. State the meaning of integrated approaches for controlling parasites within the goat herd.
  29. Match the category of other parasites that affect goats to their description.
  30. Use the FAMACHA© Eye Color Chart to check the eyes of your goats.
  31. Develop a management/control plan for controlling parasites within the goat herd.

Module Contents

  • Effects on Herd Production
  • Nutrition Interaction
  • Internal Parasites
    • Gastrointestinal nematodes (worms)
    • General life cycle
    • Epizootiology
      • Phase 1 – Parasitic Phase
      • Phase 2 – Contamination Phase
      • Phase 3 – Free-Living Phase
      • Phase 4 – Infection Phase
    • Abomasal worms
      • Haemonchus contortus (Barberpole worm)
      • Telodorsagia (Ostertagia) circumcincta – (Brown stomach worm)
    • Small intestinal worms
      • Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Bankrupt worm)
      • Nematodirus spp. (Long-necked bankrupt worm)
    • Large intestinal worms
      • Oesophagostomum spp. (Nodular worm)
      • Trichuris spp. (Whipworm)
  • Diagnostic Methods (Measuring How "Wormy" Animals Are)
    • General appearance/signs
    • Fecal egg count
    • Blood packed cell volume
    • Anemia and FAMACHA©
    • Worm count and identification
  • Dewormers (Anthelmintics)
    • Classes
    • Formulations
    • Administration
    • Resistance
  • Control Programs
    • Smart use of dewormers
    • Non-drug
      • Mixed/alternate livestock species grazing
      • Pasture rotation (??)
      • Copper oxide wire particles
      • Condensed tannin containing forages
      • Genetic improvement
      • Nematode-trapping fungi
      • Vaccines
    • Integrated approaches
  • Other Parasites
    • Moniezia (Tapeworm)
    • Fasciola hepatica (Liver fluke)
    • Dictyocaulus filaria, Muellerius, Protostrongylus (Lungworms)
    • Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (Meningeal worm)
    • Eimeria spp. (Coccidia)
  • External Parasites (Arthropods)
    • General life cycles
    • Flies
    • Lice and mites
    • Ticks
    • Diagnostic methods
  • Sources of Information
    • Books
    • Websites
    • Other

    PDF Versions

    You may download this module in PDF format.

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