Diarrhoea in Angora Goats
By Dr Mackie Hobson BSc(Agric),BVSc

Diarrhoea is a symptom of an underlying problem and not a disease in itself.

It is important to determine the cause of the diarrhoea rather than trying to treat the diarrhoea itself. Speak to your vet, providing a good history. You may need to get a faecal sample checked and, if any deaths, a Post Mortem done to determine the cause.

• There are a number of possible causes of diarrhoea in Angora goats. Internal parasites and dietary factors are probably the most common cause.
• The major causes of diarrhoea in kids during the first month of life are excess milk in kids; for example, kids kept in kid pens with mothers out grazing can consume excess milk or hansies fed milk replacer. Thereafter infectious causes such as Coli, Clostridium, Rotavirus, Salmonella sp. and potentially Cryposporidum can be a problem. Coccidiosis after 4 weeks becomes the most common cause, and then the roundworms after 2-3 months of age.

A list of some possible causes includes:

A. PARASITES

1. Roundworms (Wireworm and Brown stomach worm) being a common cause.

https://www.angoras.co.za/page/april_2014_brown_stomach_worm

2. Coccidiosis

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/the-impact-of-brown-stomach-worm-and-coccidiosis-on-angora-kids

3. Tapeworm

https://www.angoras.co.za/application/storage/upload/tapeworm_in_angora_kids.pdf

4. Cryptosporidiosis

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/crytosporidiosis

B. FEEDING PROBLEMS

• Fresh lush pasture
• Fibre shortage, excess concentrate feeding. https://www.angoras.co.za/article/the-importance-of-fibre-when-feeding-angora-goats#206
• Sudden changes in diet –It takes the rumen 7-10 days to adapt to a new diet
• Acidosis (excess concentrate insufficient fibre). https://www.angoras.co.za/article/the-importance-of-fibre-when-feeding-angora-goats#207
• Excess milk in kids, for example, kids kept in kid pens with mothers out grazing can consume excess milk. Can lead to ‘Floppy Kid Syndrome’ https://www.angoras.co.za/article/floppy-kid-syndrome
• Incorrect feeding of ‘Hansies’ https://www.angoras.co.za/article/hand-rearing-hansies-orphaned-angora-kids

C. BACTERIAL CAUSES

• Escherichi Coli (E.Coli) : https://www.angoras.co.za/article/escherichia-coli-ecoli#175

• Clostridium (‘Pulpy Kidney’, ‘Bloedpens’, ‘Rooiderm’): https://www.angoras.co.za/article/clostrdium-perfringens-type-d
  • https://www.angoras.co.za/page/clostridium_perfringens_type_a
  • https://www.angoras.co.za/page/clostridium_perfringens_type_b
• Salmonella (very young kids)

• Johnes disease (not yet diagnosed in Angoras in South Africa) https://www.angoras.co.za/article/johnes-disease-in-angora-goats

• Giardia: Giardia-induced diarrhoea is more common, but not limited to 2-4 weeks old The diarrhoea is usually transient.

D. VIRAL CAUSES

• Rift Valley Fever
• Rota virus (young kids 1 to 2 weeks)

E. POISONS

• Plants: Tulp (cardiac glycosides), ‘Gaanskweek’ ‘Bitter Karoo’, ‘Melkbos’, ‘Witstorm’

https://www.angoras.co.za/page/krimpsiekte

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/ganskweek-lasiospermum-bipinnatum

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/kaalsiekte-lakteersiekte#222

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/melkbos-euphorbia-mauritanica

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/witstorm-vaalstorm-thesium-spp

• Ionophore poisoning

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/ionophore-poisoning-in-angora-goats

• Organophosphates

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/organophosphate-containing-dip

TREATMENT

There is no ‘wonder treatment’, and it is vital to treat or correct the underlying problem as identified above. Involve your vet. Minimally get a faecal sample checked to rule out Roundworms and Coccidiosis.

In addition, you can provide supportive treatment

• Fluids are important (electrolytes, dose or tube- such as Lectade, Darrows)

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/stomach-tube

• Probiotics such as Protexin, Biorem
• High fibre diet
• Activated charcoal (2g per Kg body weight)
• Don’t just give antibiotics; this can often effect the good bacteria and not improve the problem