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Goat Diagnostics Guide 2010
Goat Diagnostics Guide 2010
Goat Diagnostics Guide 2010
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Goat Diagnostics Guide 2010

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Simple to use, but packed with information, this book takes the hard work out of diagnosing diseases and illness of goats and sheep. Diseases can be quickly identified using the simple diagnostic flowcharts. In depth information about the disease can then be found in the main body of the book. Each entry includes a description of predisposing conditions, symptoms and suggestions for immediate action.

The book not only provides a diagnostic tool, but there are also sections on breeding problem, drenches and abortions. Overall a must have book for all goat and sheep owners and breeders.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherXlibris AU
Release dateMay 18, 2010
ISBN9781450081719
Goat Diagnostics Guide 2010

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    Goat Diagnostics Guide 2010 - Theresa Mitchell

    Diseases

    Factors and Symptoms

    INTRODUCTION

    In the previous section flowcharts were used to quickly identify a possible disease or illness affecting goats. It is very rare however to be able to identify a health problem simply from a flowchart. It is for this reason that this section was included. For each flowchart entry there is a corresponding entry in this section that looks more deeply at the predisposing factors and causes of the illness. Further symptoms and some actions that may be taken to address the problems are also provided.

    When diagnosing a problem it is not only the animal’s symptoms that need to be taken into consideration. The environment and husbandry practices can be just as important when it comes to animal illnesses. For this reason the entries in this section contain several types of information.

    Factors: Many illnesses strike only when certain predisposing factors are in place. It is therefore useful when determining a diagnosis if these factors are taken into account. For example, Liver Fluke are an internal parasite that has the potential to infect whole herds with serious consequences. However, one section of the fluke’s life cycle requires an intermediate host, a small snail. If an area is free of the host snail then it is also free of Liver Fluke.

    Under the Factors heading will also be found information such as the type of goats affected, husbandry or environmental issues, and the most common causes of the disease or illness.

    Diagnosis: Diseases affect different goats in different ways. Some symptoms may be obvious while others may be completely absent. For these reasons the Diagnosis heading is sometimes divided into logical sub-headings that assist in the diagnosis of particular types of goats (does, bucks or kids) or variations on the problem.

    In some entries additional information is provided to assist in distinguishing between similar illnesses.

    abscess.tif

     Abscess

    

    Abscesses, common in most goats, can be found almost any where on the goat’s body but particularly around the ears, head, neck, mouth, shoulders, udder and flanks. Goats regularly develop abscesses at vaccination sites due to the content of the vaccine. In most instances abscesses on the skin will burst and drain by themselves without intervention.

    FACTORS

    1.     Grass seeds imbedded in the skin, usually in spring and summer (young stock mostly affected).

    2.     Wounds from shearing, dipping, drenching or castration.

    3.     Poor hygiene during vaccinations.

    4.     Contaminated grooming or handling equipment.

    5.     Goats walking or lying in wet or muddy conditions.

    6.     Goats rubbing the area against fences, trees and other structures.

    7.     Mastitis in does.

    8.     Foot Abscess

    •     Poor hoof care.

    •     Generally affects older animals.

    •     Puncture by sharp objects such as nails, stones and gravel.

    DIAGNOSIS (GENERAL)

    •     Swelling of the lymph nodes.

    •     Firm, non-painful swelling that becomes soft.

    •     Thick greenish / yellowish, soft pus or cottage cheese-like pus, inside the abscess.

    •     Loss of condition, weakness.

    •     Chronic cough.

    •     Analysis of pus by the vet.

    •     Chronic mastitis.

    DIAGNOSIS (FOOT)

    •     Lameness (limping or raising/carrying of leg).

    •     Swelling of the foot.

    •     Generally no abnormal smell.

    •     Area around hoof and lower leg painful to touch.

    •     Puss (yellow-green colour with accompanying grey-yellow material) under horn of foot and/or between the toes.

    •     Redness, increase temperature, and/or swelling of the leg joints (inflammation)

    •     Individual mature stock usually affected.

    •     No obvious loss of condition.

    DIAGNOSIS (EYE)

    •     Weeping red eyes

    •     Swelling around eye

    •     Blindness (partial or full)

    ACTIONS

    In most cases abscesses on goats will heal by themselves. The natural process is that the pus will build up under the skin forming a hard lump. This lump then goes soft and bursts, draining the content. Over time the area will dry out and scab over, leaving no permanent damage.

    If the abscess in causing the goat great discomfort or inhibiting normal grazing functions then action may be required. In this situation the abscess will need to be carefully drained in the following manner.

    •     Clean the area around the abscess with disinfectant.

    •     Using a scalpel or very sharp blade make a small cut at the bottom of the abscess near the unaffected skin. Do not cut the top of the abscess as this will make it harder to completely drain the abscess.

    •     Using gentle pressure force out as much of the puss and other abscess content as possible.

    •     Using a syringe filled with either salty water or dilute disinfectant, rinse out the abscess until the inside is free of any loose material including puss and blood.

    •     Do not cover but rather allow the wound to dry out naturally.

    •     During summer or other times when flies may be active spray a wound fly repellent on and around the wound site.

    If the abscess is on the soft tissue of the hoof then it is advisable to trim back the hoof to assist the abscess to drain. A foot bath with disinfectant will help to ensure that the disinfectant reaches all parts of the hoof.

    If the goat remains in obvious discomfort after 24 hours post treatment then it is advisable to contact your local veterinarian to possibly obtain antibiotics to kill the

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