Goats are very intelligent and curious animals and keeping them can be a very rewarding experience.
One thing that is often overlooked, however, when keeping goats, and other types of livestock, is the diseases that they can contract and how to deal with them.
One disease that is common for a lot of livestock is mange.
But is it possible for goats to get mange?
Well, I have done the research for you and am excited to share it with you today as we answer the question “can goats get mange?”
The answer to this question is yes, goats can get mange. It is an extremely contagious disease and can result in many harmful effects for your goat. There are signs you can look out for in your goats, however, and if you notice any of these developing separate the affected goat and immediately contact your vet.
But what exactly is mange, what are some typical symptoms you should look out for, how exactly do you treat it, and is it possible to prevent it from happening?
We are going to answer all of these questions and more as we dive deeper into the topic of can goats get mange.
Let’s get into it!
What is mange?
Mange is a type of disease that affects goats and much other livestock.
It refers to a form of severe dermatitis (skin irritation) which is caused by an infestation of either mites or lice within your goat and all forms are extremely contagious.
Mites and lice are ectoparasites that enter and inhabit the skin of different animals, including goats.
Once in the skin, they feed on skin debris, subcutaneous secretions, and blood or lymph.
The method with which they accomplish this differs by mite and lice.
Some scavenge for food on the surface of the skin while others puncture the skin in order to feed.
How to tell if your goat has mange
Mange is a very uncomfortable disease for your goats and the presence of either lice or mites can cause a serious amount of pain for your goat.
There are some tell-tale signs you can look out for to tell whether or not your goat is experiencing discomfort or is being affected by mange.
These signs include:
Restlessness
Intense scratching or itching
Coat or skin damage
Patches on the skin
Excessive rubbing
High levels of exhaustion
The signs of mange vary and depend on the type of mite or lice that is causing the disease.
This is because the location of the signs changes with different mites or lice and the appearance of the skin inflammation can also differ.
Different types of mange
Mange is caused by a variety of different mites and lice.
Each variation has its own side effects and impacts your goats in different ways.
They all also occur in different locations.
This makes it easy to identify what type of mange your goat has contracted.
Some of the most common forms of mange include:
Sarcoptic Mange
This type of mange in goats is caused by the Sarcoptes scabei mite and symptoms usually appear on the neck and head.
Sarcoptic mange can, however, occur all over the body and can result in hair loss, scaly lesions, and a thickening of the skin.
Demodectic Mange
This type of mange has some of the most visual symptoms and is caused by the mites known as Demodex caprae.
Symptoms of this type of mange include non-itching nodules forming on your goat’s face, neck, sides, and shoulder area.
These nodules contain thick, grey pus and the mites can become visible in the discharge.
Chorioptic Mange
This type of mange is caused by Chorioptic mange mites and, unlike Sarcoptic and Demodectic mange, these mites live on your goat’s skin.
This means that your goats can contract chorioptic mange without becoming infested with mites.
This also means, however, that this type of mange is more easily transferrable making it one of the more contagious forms of mange.
Typical symptoms of this type of mange include hair loss, crusty scabs, and pustules.
These symptoms are usually seen in the winter and occur mainly on your goat’s lower legs, genitals, and udders.
Because this type of mange is so contagious, if one of your goats contracts it then you will need to treat all your goats that share the same pen or housing area as it is likely that they will have contracted it as well.
Ear Mange
This type of mange, as the name suggests, affects mainly your goat’s ears and results in the formation of sores and the subsequent scratching and rubbing of your goat.
If treatment is not administered and ear mange is allowed to remain for an extended period of time it can spread to the rest of your goat’s body.
It is, therefore, important to treat it as soon as possible.
How to treat mange in your goat
If you suspect that one or more of your goats has mange, or you notice any of the precursor symptoms begin to develop you should take action immediately and should contact your vet.
There are, however, some home remedies that you can use to help treat your goat.
The type of treatment that you ultimately choose to use, however, will depend on the cause and severity of the particular infestation (eg mites or lice) and the age of the goat.
Always consult with your vet before starting any treatments.
One of the main methods that you can use to help rid your goat of mange is to use a de-wormer.
A common de-wormer will help to kill off the mites in your goat’s body that are responsible for the various skin conditions.
While it is possible to get over-the-counter de-wormers, you should still consult with your vet so that you can get the most appropriate type for your goat.
Another method that is a common and effective form of treatment for mange in goats is the use of an appropriate acaricide.
Acaricides are substances that are poisonous to mites, lice, and ticks.
If your goat is suffering from mange an effective method to help get rid of it is to scrub your goat with an acaricide, applying it directly to the affected area.
It is important when treating your goat that you remain vigilant and consistent.
There is no one-stop remedy for mange and it requires constant application until your goat is free of all symptoms.
How to prevent mange in goats
When it comes to mange, prevention is definitely better than the cure.
There are some simple things that you can do to help prevent the development of mange in your goats.
One of the best ways to prevent mange is to practice proper hygiene and ensure that your goat’s housing, living environment, and bedding is clean and dry and there are separate areas for them to defecate and urinate.
If your goat is in close contact with urine and excrement the likelihood that they will contract mange increases significantly.
A common way that mange is transferred to your goats occurs when a new goat is bought or brought into the existing herd that is carrying mites or lice and is contagious.
Mites and lice typically spend their entire lives on their host so transmission of the disease, as a result, is due to close physical contact.
A good way to prevent this type of spreading is to operate with a closed herd policy and quarantine and inspect any new goats that you are bringing in for a minimum period of time so that you can be sure they aren’t carrying any harmful or contagious diseases that could affect the health of the rest of the herd.
In addition to mange, new goats can also be carrying typical goat diseases such as hoof root.
While this is a good prevention method, if you live close to other goat owners or farmers that share the same pastures or grazing lands then it is possible for your goats to contract mange from them.
It is, therefore, important to communicate effectively with your neighbors/fellow goat owners to establish farm boundaries and avoid communal grazing.
In conclusion, yes, goats get mange.
It is an extremely contagious disease and can result in many harmful effects for your goat.
There are signs you can look out for, however, and if you notice any of these developing in your goat, separate it from the herd and contact your vet immediately.
There are also home remedies you can use that can be effective at treating mange in your goats.
It is important to act swiftly when you spot the development of mange as its high contagious effects can result in your entire herd contracting it if you take too long.