Pygmy Goats are hardy, playful and full of personality. However, like any animal, they can sometimes fall ill. Recognizing the early signs of sickness can make a significant difference in ensuring your goat receives timely treatment and recovers fully.
I am not a vet, this article is not to diagnose any illness nor is it an exhaustive list of all the things that can indicate illness, it is simply a guide to help you detect potential health problems in your Pygmy Goats.
Know What’s Normal
The first step in identifying illness is understanding what’s normal for your goat. Regularly observe your goat’s behaviour, activity level, appetite and physical appearance so you know what is normal for each individual. A healthy Pygmy Goat typically has:
- Bright, clear eyes with no discharge
- A shiny, smooth coat
- Normal, firm ‘poo berry’ droppings
- An alert and active demeanour
- Steady appetite and water intake
- Body Temperature: 39.2-40C
- Heart Rate: 60-80 beats per minute
- Respiration rate: 15-30 breaths per minute
- Rumen movements: 1-4 per minute
- A Body Condition Score suitable for their breed, age and life stage
By becoming familiar with these signs, you’ll be easily able to spot when something is off sooner rather than later.
Common Signs of Illness
Here are some general indicators that your Pygmy goat may not be feeling well:
Behavioural Changes
- Lethargy: A Pygmy Goat that is usually playful and active but suddenly appears listless or reluctant to move may be unwell.
- Isolation: Pygmy Goats are very social animals. If one starts avoiding the herd, it could indicate illness.
- Unusual vocalizations: Excessive bleating, unusual sounds or complete silence from a typically vocal goat might signal discomfort.
- Looking at its flanks or pawing the ground: If your goat is repeatedly turning its head looking at its sides or is pawing at the ground, these are indications that it is experiencing pain or discomfort. Both of these signs are commonly seen during labour, as is head behaviour.
- Anything other than behaviour normal for the individual: may signal that something is not quite right.
Appetite and Digestion
- Reduced appetite: No matter how much they are fed, goats normally act like they are starving so if your goat stops eating or shows less interest in food, it’s time to investigate.
- Diarrhea: Scouring – loose or watery stools can indicate digestive upset or a more serious issue.
- Bloating: A swollen belly can be a sign of bloat which is a potentially life-threatening condition.
Physical Symptoms
- Changes in coat: A dull, rough coat might point to nutritional deficiencies or parasites.
- Weight loss: Noticeable thinning could mean your goat is battling illness or not getting enough nutrition.
- Laboured breathing: Wheezing, coughing or rapid difficult breathing may indicate respiratory issues.
- Discharge: Mucus from the eyes, nose or mouth may be a sign of infection.
- Grinding teeth: This is a sign your Pygmy Goat is in pain.
- Tail, head and/or ears hanging down: This may indicate pain or illness.
Other Signs
- Temperature changes: A fever or low temperature warrants immediate attention.
- Abnormal gait: Limping, stiffness, limb or joint swelling, difficulty standing or joint noises may suggest injury, arthritis, mineral deficiencies or illness.
- Pale gums and eyelids: Check the colour of your goat’s mucous membranes using the FAMACHA score. Pale or white eyelids indicate anaemia which is blood loss (often caused by parasites) that can be fatal if not treated promptly.
- Frothing at the mouth: There are a number of causes for this from bloat to choke, poisoning, mineral deficiencies and more.
What to Do if Your Pygmy Goat Shows Signs of Illness
- Separate the Goat: If you suspect your goat is sick and might be infectious (or if it is being bullied by others), isolate it from the herd to prevent the spread of disease and allow for closer monitoring.
- Take Notes: Record symptoms, changes in behaviour and any environmental factors that might contribute to the illness.
- Check Vital Signs: Use a thermometer to take your goat’s rectal temperature. Observe their breathing rate, assess their hydration by checking skin elasticity and check for rumination sounds/movement and if they are chewing their cud.
- Consult a Vet: If symptoms persist, worsen or your Pygmy Goat is clearly injured or in pain, contact your veterinarian. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.
Preventing Illness
While some illnesses are unavoidable, you can reduce the risk by maintaining proper care:
- Provide a Balanced Diet: Ensure your goats receive high-quality forage, hay, minerals and fresh water.
- Keep Their Living Space Clean: Regularly clean housing to reduce the risk of infections.
- Provide Adequate Shelter: Pygmy Goats require shade from the sun and shelter from rain and wind.
- Practice Parasite Control: Use Bioworma, rotational grazing, regular FAMACHA checks, fecal worm egg counts and deworm only individual goats that require it based on fecal count results.
- Vaccinate: Follow your vet’s advice on vaccinations for common goat diseases in your area, which should normally be given six monthly but may be more frequent in some locations.
- Observe Regularly: Spend time with your goats daily to catch any signs of illness early.
- Educate yourself: Learning about the common health issues that can affect goats and the signs and symptoms to look out for will help you identify the problem early and be able to start prompt treatment.
When in Doubt, Act
It’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your Pygmy Goats’ health. Goats are stoic animals that often don’t show any signs or symptoms until an illness is quite advanced. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t wait. Early action can save your Pygmy Goat’s life and prevent the spread of illness within your herd.
By staying attentive and proactive, you can help ensure your Pygmy Goats remain happy, healthy companions.