Health and Care

A healthy goat herd is the foundation of any successful goat operation. On this page, find information on dairy and meat goats care, including common diseases and advice on raising and keeping your goat herd healthy. Access tips on preventing parasites, avoiding toxic weeds, and assessing biosecurity risks. Assistance from the Veterinary Extension and Applied Research Team can be found, as well.

Goat Health and Care

Having a health management plan is crucial for any goat herd’s wellbeing and biosecurity. Proper biosecurity management practices can minimize and prevent goat disease transmission within and between herds.

When developing a biosecurity program, producers need to focus on three main aspects – diagnosis, treatment, and prevention – and learn to recognize unhealthy behaviors. Unhealthy or new animals, as well as animals that have been off the property, should be isolated. In addition, anything that can carry disease, including boots, trucks, and trailers, should be sanitized.

Further measures for reducing the risk of goat illnesses include vaccinating, animal monitoring, deworming, and castrating.

If you are interested in the fundamentals of raising goats on your property, join Penn State Extension’s Living on a Few Acres free webinar series. The series cover topics like goat health, breed selection, feeding, and reproduction.

Common Goat Diseases

Goats can become infected with a number of diseases. Three common conditions are footrot, scrapie, and parasites.

Footrot is a costly goat disease that can lead to lameness, decreased milk production, reduced weight gain, and decreased reproductive capabilities. The condition, however, is easily manageable and preventable. Footrot is most commonly spread by introducing infected animals to a herd.

Scrapie is a fatal, degenerative disease that affects a goat’s central nervous system. Although common, scrapie is difficult to diagnose. Warning signs often include behavioral changes, head and neck tremors, sensitivity to noise, and loss of coordination. Scrapie is primarily spread through contact between breeding goats and their kids.

Parasite Infestations in Goats

Parasites can have a significant impact on goat health. Internal parasites include tapeworms, intestinal protozoa, gastrointestinal worms, and liver flukes. External parasites include ticks, lice, and mites.

Pastures are one of the main sources of parasite infestations. Tactics to prevent infections through grazing management include rest periods between grazings and multi-species grazing.

Learn more about implementing goat parasite strategies with Penn State Extension’s It's a Wormy Deal workshop. During the event, participants can complete their FAMACHA certification for selective treatment against wireworms.

The Veterinary Extension, as well as the Applied Research Team, can provide additional information and assistance on recognizing goat diseases and minimizing the exposure to potential sources of infection.