The information that is given regarding these questions are for an education basis only. You should consult your veterinarian before any action is taken. We appreciate your continued support for this program.

Q: What can cause edema, anemia, weight loss but a good appetite in goats and sheep under their jaw?

A: Edema can be caused by several different things that can cause this. First, hypoproteinemia or low blood protein in sheep with edema and anemia is commonly related to the large stomach worm (barberpole worm, Haemonchus), malnutrition and stress of pregnancy, lactation and adverse weather conditions.

A second cause might be the ineffectiveness of dewormers in sheep is related to worm resistance to products, use of unimproved products, infrequent use of products and use of incorrect route of product administration.

A third possibility is the Ivomec sheep drench is approved for oral use in sheep at 1-2 month intervals and is pregnancy to kill the arrested larvae. When resistance occurs, extra-label use of other products must be prescribed by a veterinarian.

A fourth possibility is the exposure to worm larvae on wet grass is prevented by not allowing sheep to graze wet grass, by sanitary conditions and by reducing overcrowdedness.

Q: What could be some possible reasons for loosing goats to diarrhea even though they have been wormed?

A: A number of gastrointestinal conditions will be considered: bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxic chemicals and plants. The deworming may not be effective if drug resistance has developed. As for toxicity, survey the environment for sources of ingested chemicals and grazed foreign plants. Relation of fed diets is to be considered, as for over consumption and drastic changes in diet, which is commonly causes sudden death by poisons produced by the bacterium, Clostridium perfringens Type D.

Q: Are acorns toxic to goats?

A: Yes, acorns are toxic to goats, but in January the mature, brown acorns are less toxic as compared to the immature, green acorns seen in early fall

Q: What are some clinical symptoms of acorn poisoning in goats?

A: Goats affected by acorn poisoning have a poor appetite, appear dull, become constipated, suffer weight loss and look “gaunted up” or “tucked up”. They also may pass blood in the manure and/or bleed from the nostrils. Profuse diarrhea may follow after the experience constipation. Affected animals drink large amounts of water and void excessive amounts of clear urine (urine may also contain blood). Many animals go down after 3-7 days of acorn poisoning clinical signs. If these affected animals do not die it may take as long as 2-4 weeks before they start to recover. If you suspect acorn poisoning contact your veterinarian as early as possible.

Q: I have a goat that has abscesses around its neck that don’t drain by themselves. When expressed they have a white type of puss that comes out. What could cause this?

A: To determine what is causing this condition your veterinarian needs to be consulted. There are two possible situations that might be occurring. First, it might be a systemic bacterial infection of the lymphatic system called Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL). This is common in breeding goats and their kids. The bacteria that causes this condition is Corynebacterium pesudotuberculosis and infects the animal its entire life. Chronic developing abscesses with “cheesy” pus form in the lymph nodes inside the body and under the skin. Secondly, it might be associated with fly bites. The mouth parts of the fly can become contaminated with soil bacteria. The bacteria that we commonly see associated with this are the CL bacteria and Staphlococcus bacteria. Abscesses will form on the animal where the flies have bitten them. The only way to determine is to have your veterinarian conduct lab tests on the pus to conclude which type of bacteria is present.

Q: What is the sheep alfatoxin level allowed in a diet?

A: The legal level of alfatoxin allowed in corn for sheep is 20 ppb. All species were at this level until the FDA changed the guideline for cattle, swine and poultry in 1989.

Q: Is there are cure for the edema under the jaw, anemia and weight loss?

A: Intestinal worms are a common cause of the symptoms described, especially given wet weather. While worms are the probable cause, an examination by your local vet may reveal other causes.

Q: Are Rompun and Ketamine safe to use in goats?

A: Rompun and KEtamine are unapproved by FDA for goats. No anesthetics or tranquilizers are approved by FDA for use in any food animals; all use in food animals by veterinarians are permitted by FDA under the extra-label drug policy.

Q: What are some reasons my goats would die after being sedated by the veterinarian with Rompun or Ketamine?

A: There are several reasons that the animals might have died including: 1) Toxicity of overdose, 2) Toxicity by individual hypersensitivity or 3) suffocation by inhalation of regurgitated stomach contents. Your veterinarian can help determine the cause of death in the animal.

Q: Can you use Bovine Somatotropin (bST) on sheep and goats?

A: Somatotropin is a natural growth hormone in the body. The use of it on sheep and goats is strictly illegal by the Federal Law under FDA regulations. The use of bST is approved for increase milk production only in dairy cattle.

Q: Are there any websites that have information on dairy goats?

A: My best suggestion would be to go to http://www.dairygoatjournal.com This website has past and present issues on reserve, book listings and a way to register to the journal.

Q: Are acorns toxic to goats?

A: Yes, acorns are toxic to goats, but in January the mature, brown acorns are less toxic as compared to the immature, green acorns seen in early fall

Q: What are some clinical symptoms of acorn poisoning in goats?

A: Goats affected by acorn poisoning have a poor appetite, appear dull, become constipated, suffer weight loss and look “gaunted up” or “tucked up”. They also may pass blood in the manure and/or bleed from the nostrils. Profuse diarrhea may follow after the experience constipation. Affected animals drink large amounts of water and void excessive amounts of clear urine (urine may also contain blood). Many animals go down after 3-7 days of acorn poisoning clinical signs. If these affected animals do not die it may take as long as 2-4 weeks before they start to recover. If you suspect acorn poisoning contact your veterinarian as early as possible

Q: Can you use Bovine Somatotropin (bST) on sheep and goats?

A: Somatotropin is a natural growth hormone in the body. The use of it on sheep and goats is strictly illegal by the Federal Law under FDA regulations. The use of bST is approved for increase milk production only in dairy cattle

Q: Where can I get more information about the Sheep and Goat Volunteer training?

A: Participants must complete the entire course in order to meet eligibility to become a Texas 4-H Master Sheep or Master Goat Volunteer candidate. Upon successful completion of the course, candidates will be asked to commit to teach 4-H members and volunteers involved with sheep or goat projects. They will also be asked to provide support to 4-H members and give leadership to learning opportunities for members, parents and volunteers to enhance the total 4-H sheep or goat project locally. It will be very important for their role to be clearly defined before you begin your recruitment efforts. Please review the attached information. Once they have completed their minimum support expectations, the leaders will be eligible to become Texas 4-H Master Sheep or Master Goat Volunteers.

Q: What is the sheep alfatoxin level allowed in a diet?

A: The legal level of alfatoxin allowed in corn for sheep is 20 ppb. All species were at this level until the FDA changed the guideline for cattle, swine and poultry in 1989.

Q: Is vaccination recommended in kids or sheep?

A: Vaccinating lambs at birth is ineffective. To be considered effective, lambs should be vaccinated with 2 separate doses, one at 4 weeks and the other at 8 weeks and then follow this up annually with a booster. This is the way to increase immunity against diseases and ensure the health of your animals. In order for the lambs to have some immunity at birth, you want to vaccinate the ewes late in pregnancy so that they will produce colostrum with the antibodies in it and pass it on to the lambs.

Q: Is there a dewormer that can be used on dairy goats during the milking cycle?

A: Fenbendazole is the only dewormer approved by FDA for goats, but NOT for lactating milk goats. All other dewormers for goats must be prescribed by a private licensed veterinarian under a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. There is not FDA approval of milk discard time of any dewormer for use in lactating milk goats. The veterinarian must prescribe an extended time to ensure the milk is free of drug residue since there is no published discard time for milk of dairy goats.

Q: What could be some possible reasons for loosing goats to diarrhea even though they have been wormed?

A: A number of gastrointestinal conditions will be considered: bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxic chemicals and plants. The deworming may not be effective if drug resistance has developed. As for toxicity, survey the environment for sources of ingested chemicals and grazed foreign plants. Relation of fed diets is to be considered, as for over consumption and drastic changes in diet, which is commonly causes sudden death by poisons produced by the bacterium, Clostridium perfringens Type D.

Q: How can I prevent acorn poisoning in goats?

A: To prevent acorn poisoning remove goats that remain on “poor” oak tree pasture. If the animals must stay, provide supplemental feed containing protein. If the animals can be removed from the field, incorporate this technique in areas where acorns have recently fallen and reserve these pastures for late fall or winter grazing when the acorns have been allowed to age. Remember though that they can still be affected if they over consume these acorns.

Q: How do I get my flock scrapie certified?

A: The program is voluntary. For more information call the Texas USDA-APHIS-VS office in Austin at 512-916-5552.

Q: What are the requirements for the premise identification tags?

A: Identification requirements extend to:

• All Sheep 18 months old or older

• All breeding sheep regardless of age

• Sexually intact show or exhibition sheep and goats

• All goats 18 months old or older that are or have been commingled with sheep

• All breeding goats that are or have been commingled with sheep.

Q: Is vaccination recommended in kids or sheep?

A: Vaccinating lambs at birth is ineffective. To be considered effective, lambs should be vaccinated with 2 separate doses, one at 4 weeks and the other at 8 weeks and then follow this up annually with a booster. This is the way to increase immunity against diseases and ensure the health of your animals. In order for the lambs to have some immunity at birth, you want to vaccinate the ewes late in pregnancy so that they will produce colostrum with the antibodies in it and pass it on to the lambs.