Much controversy is based upon worming and the correct method of doing so. The true basis depends on each particular farm, herd density, climate, available pasture, and what is a suitable method for your particular goats. The best method of determining the concentration of worms in a particular goat is by fecal collection. Collect the "berries" in a paper cup from a goat,and keeping them refrigerated until the sample can be given to your vet, so they may do a flotation count. Once this has been determined, the vet can prescribe an effective program for your individual animals, and farm.

Typically a rotation of wormers should be used to diminish the possibility of the parasites developing an immunity to any specific treatment.

Common treatment involves the summer months, in the northern part of the U.S. and Canada, with possible year-round treatment needed in more southern climates.

A regiment of worming a goat involves using either an oral paste, oral dose of injectable, or liquid oral wormer. Many new wormers in a feed type pellet have appeared on the market, and have produced effective results. Herbal or natural wormers may also work, but may be less effective on certain strains of parasites, or lack the systemic effects of other wormers.

A goat with worms is usually, but not necessarily indicated by bloated or distended belly, coughing, wheezing, itching in the rectal area, lack of energy, and possibly visual indications in the stool. Stool indications vary, but can be a grey coloration of a normally dark green-black berry. There are a variety of worms, such as lung worm, pin worm, nematodes, round worm, and many more. Depending on where you live, you will have to determine, along with your vet, what treatment is needed.

To worm a goat, follow your vet's recommendations on dosage for each animal. Follow up any worming within 2 weeks of the first dosage, to prevent hatching of eggs from the adult worms. Repeat this method every 4-6 weeks.

Rotating wormers has been the major area of controversy. Latest studies have shown that you should use a wormer until it is no longer effective. This would indicate that the worms have built up an immunity to the particular wormer. Switching wormers then provides a new chemical the worms may not have a resistance to. Be sure the new wormer is from a different chemical configuration than the other previously used. Brand name does not always indicate a different chemical wormer. Herbal or natural wormers have not proven to be effective in clinical trials to date.

Wormers fall typically in three chemical groups. The first being benzimidazole, also called "white wormers". These wormers are broad spectrum, meaning they kill a variety of worms, and very safe to use. They are effective on tapeworms, as well as other strongylus, lung worms, pin worms, and nematodes. Albendizole is additionally effective against adult liver flukes. Trademarked brand names in this group include Safeguard, Panacur, Valbazen, and Synanthic.

Nicotinics, or "clear wormers" in this second grouping, are also broad spectrum, and are more effective against arrested, or dormant larvae. This group has a narrower margin of safety, especially in injectable form. Trademarked brands in this group include Tramisol, Prohibit, Strongid, and Rumatel. Pyrantel (Strongid) is only effective on adult worms. Moratel (Rumatel) is an oral feed additive and is only effective against adult worms.

The third and final group is the Macrolides. This is the newest family of drugs. This family can be further sub-grouped into two categories, the Avermectins and Doramectins, and the Milbemycins and Moxidectins. Both subgroups are broad spectrum and very safe to use. Trademarked brands include Ivomec and Dectomax, comprising the Avermectins, with Cydectin and Quest comprising the Milbemycins. The Macrolides have been shown in clinical trials to be effective as persistent activity wormer, meaning they continue to kill worms after they have been administered. In a sheep trial in Virginia, treatment with Cydectin at eight week intervals proved more effective than treatment with Ivermectin at four week intervals.

Only Fenbendazole and Rumatel are FDA-approved for use in goats. Ivomec drench, Valbazen drench, Levamisol drench and Oblets are approved for sheep. Use of any product which is inconsistent with the label constitutes a "extra-label" drug use and requires a veterinary prescription and valid veterinarian-patient-client relationship.

Exerted from "Integrated Parasite Control (IPM) in Small Ruminants", Susan Schoenian, Area Agent, Sheep and Goats, Western Maryland Research & Education Center, University of Maryland.

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