There are, naturally, many reasons a goat can die.
Sometimes, there’s not much you can do about it.
Some goats just won’t survive to particularly old age.
Being able to identify the potential problems early on is the most important preventative step you can take.
Let’s look further into this.
What are the symptoms of a dying goat?
It will, of course, depend on the cause.
But there are a number of things you can look out for.
First of all, general signs of weakness.
If a goat seems lethargic, low-energy, weaker, and less enthusiastic about everything, there’s probably something going on.
Monitor that goat carefully, and if possible, have a vet come and see them immediately.
Other signs to look out for aren’t very pretty, but you’ll do well to check.
Look at their feces.
If it pasty, or just diarrhea, this is often a sign of potentially severe illness if it doesn’t get treated.
If they are bringing up mucus, which seems to be discolored, this is another good sign that something is seriously wrong.
There are many infections that affect goats that won’t always show obvious signs at first.
Caprine arthritis encephalitis is a viral infection affecting both kids and adults, often passed to kids via suckling.
Speak to a vet if you see signs of stiffness or paralysis.
Q fever is another common bacterial infection.
It can be controlled with antibiotics, but again it’s difficult to see the signs of.
Knowing the basic symptoms of a weak goat are essential, but the next step is how to treat them.
How do you save a dying goat?
Realistically, the only sound and solid advice on this question is to call the vet.
As I said, I’ve mentioned some common problems, but even if you know what to look for, the signs can be easy to miss.
From the day your goats are home, you should be having them regularly checked by the vet.
There are many commercially available vaccines that will protect your goats against some of the most common issues.
There are, of course, things you can do to give your goat a better chance of survival.
I can’t stress enough, though, that these things should be done while you wait for the vet to show up.
You need to involve the vet if you aren’t a vet yourself.
Try high energy foods and supplements to keep your goat energized and happy while you wait for the vet.
Encouraging healthy practices generally, too, is a good idea.
Make sure your goat gets a good and balanced diet, with plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables to complement their ordinary feed.
The best thing you can do to save your goat is be diligent in keeping their lifestyle healthy.
Once they’re really ill, you need to call a vet.
What is the most common disease in goats?
There isn’t much data on which single disease or infection is most common among goats.
There are a huge variety, and goats have spread to every corner of the globe, so it’s difficult to say.
The above-mentioned Q fever and caprine arthritis are certainly contenders.
The infection of the mouth known as orf is perhaps among the single most common of all infections.
This one isn’t especially dangerous, though. It usually only manifests in blisters on the lips and inner mouth, which later become scabs.
Goats are, unfortunately, susceptible to a great many diseases.
What do you give a weak goat?
There are some medicated formulas you can give to help a weak goat.
Colostrum is a good bet, rubbing some on their body.
Vitamin solution is another good choice to strengthen the goat and give them more energy.
Corn syrup works really well, too, and you might be able to convince them to eat it, too.
If not, rub a little on their tongue and gums.
Coffee, in very small amounts, might be all your goat needs.
Again, just rubbing a small amount in the mouth could give them a small energy boost.
If you’re really concerned, though, again, you should be trying these things while you wait for the vet.
Goat care is not a simple or easy thing, then.
You really need to know what you’re getting into before you start.
There are many things that can be fatal for goats, from bacterial infections to poisonous foods.
Knowing the signs to look out for is the first and most important step.
If you can’t identify problems as early as possible, you might be too late by the time it’s obvious.
Your goats need careful, intimate care.