I am loosing my favorite goat

[ufimych]

My favorite Nubian doe contracted deer parasite transmitted by ticks. I discovered it too late. Now, it eats normal, but it is skinny and cannot walk. My vet told me that only a few of them recover after the damage had been done.

[fishhead]

Have you given it Ivomectin? It might be worth a try.

[susanne]

where are you located?
the only parasite transmitted from white tail deer to goats that i know of, is the meningal worm, and the host are slugs or snails.
treatment is high dosis of ivermectin injectable and banamine.
depending on the severity, full recovery is rare and most of the goats will die.
very sorry.

[fishhead]

Our ticks carry 5 diseases. My dogs have had both lymes and erhlichiosis. The last time it was fatal.

I know of 2 people that have been put into the hospital for days because of ticks and many people who have had lymes.

I wonder if goats get them too.

[ufimych]

I am in Virginia. This is a parasite, which can be killed by ivomec. The problem is that the worms lodge in the spinal cord. If you kill them at that stage, it is too late, the damage had been done. The body must get rid off dead worms, inflammation causes the paralysis and death. Some goats survive and walk wobbling the rest of the life, but majority never walk again or die soon. We keep goats here for about 10 years. This is the first time it happened to us, but other goat owners in Virginia told me about this. Now, I realized that I would probably save her, if I would give her ivomec in September, when I stopped milking her. This would kill the parasite before it had lodged in the spinal cord. Our other goats are healthy. I treated them with ivomec to kill all round worms. Now, winter is coming a tick free season, but in April I will give them ivomec again, as a preventative. Scientific name of the parsite is Parelophostrongylus taenius

[needstoknowmore]

Because so many areas have been so wet this year. There has been more problems with it. I've never heard or read any reference to it being caused by ticks. It is caused by slugs and snails. Here is some info from Lanston University. I'm sorry you are having to deal with this.

Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (Meningeal worm)

The meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis), also known as the deer worm or meningeal deer worm, frequently infects llamas, alpacas and sometimes goats. White-tailed deer are the natural host for the parasite, so goats are at potential risk everywhere that white-tailed deer are found. Small ground dwelling slugs and snails are intermediate hosts. Goats, which are not normal hosts, can ingest the slugs/snails harboring the infective form and the larvae migrate into places where they don't normally reside in the deer. Migration is up the spinal nerves to the spinal cord but then they seem to get lost. The larvae then migrate throughout the spinal cord and the brain (actually around the spinal cord and brain, not in it). This causes damage to the central nervous system which may be severe enough to result in death.

Animals can become infected in the spring, summer or fall. Disease is usually seen in the fall and winter about 3 to 4 months after infection. Often only one animal is infected at a time on a single farm. Infected animals will show a wide variety of symptoms which include, but are not limited to: rear leg weakness and ataxia (uncoordinated walking), paralysis, hypermetria (exaggerated stepping motions), circling, abnormal head position, blindness and gradual weight loss. Generally, animals with more severe symptoms have a worse prognosis.

Diagnosis is difficult in the live animal and is usually made when animals die and the larvae are found on examining the spinal cord and brain microscopically. The use of ivermectin at monthly intervals during the transmission season (spring and summer) has been used in attempts to prevent infection, but this strategy has not been proven. However, this frequent administration interval most likely will have an effect on the development of resistance by the other resident worms.

[susanne]

it will help a lot if you make a dry barrier around the goat fence to prevent snails/slugs from coming in. ducks are also excellent to help keep snails and slugs down.

[BethW]

Ufimych, where in Virginia are you? If you're anywhere near me, I have a fantastic vet that might be able to give you a second opinion and possibly additional interventions for your doe.

[ufimych]

BethM, I am near Buchanan, Virginia, about 5 miles from I-81, betweeen Lexington and Roanoke.

[ufimych]

Needstoknomore, thank you for the explanation. I am not sure how to prevent it in the future. Perhaps, ivermecin would help. I usually uise it for prevention of heartworm infestation in my dogs during summer season.

[BethW]

Originally Posted by ufimych

BethM, I am near Buchanan, Virginia, about 5 miles from I-81, betweeen Lexington and Roanoke.

Rats. My vet is here in Hanover County, east of Richmond. Still, if you wanted to try giving her a call, her name is BJ Campbell. Her number is (804) 883-5822.