VN May 2023

Vetnews | Mei 2023 9 Leading Article same score. Goats metabolise anthelmintics differently from sheep. Overdosing of macrocytic lactones and nitroxynil occurs much easier, and care must be taken. Levamizole can be used at 1.5 x the sheep dose to improve efficacy, but care must be taken, and goats must be monitored for Vitamin B1 deficiency. Wirevax is effective in goats and can be used to control Haemonchus. The same protocol as for sheep can be used. Liver fluke can cause significant losses in goats due to severe hypoproteinaemia and anaemia. Protein, both quality and quantity and adequate minerals are very important in gastrointestinal parasite control. 5,20,23 Nutrition Goats are natural browsers and will eat tree foliage, shrubs, and bushes rather than graze grasses. This means they can thrive where cattle and sheep do not. If limited to mostly grazing, they tend not to do so well. Their digestive tracts are similar to some deer species, and they are selective browsers which can change their diet with seasonal changes. There are significant breed differences in nutritional needs, for example, Angoras and dairy breeds. These have higher protein and mineral needs due to fibre and milk production costs. Diets with very high energy and limited fibre lead to digestive disturbances, especially in young growing goats. The high energy suppresses daily intake and thus growth. Goats are prone to subclinical rumen acidosis, which affects production. This is mainly due to lower saliva production when fed highly soluble carbohydrates. 7,12, 24 Minerals Goats are not as efficient recyclers of minerals as sheep, andmineral deficiencies can cause significant production losses, suppression of immunity and increase morbidity and mortality of diseases. Iodine is very important for reproduction and growth. With iodine deficiency, kid mortality, low conception, and high abortions are common. Iodine-deficient animals have severe hypothyroidism, and iodine levels in the blood, serum, hair and fibres are low, which helps with diagnosis. Copper is very important for growth and has significant interactions with other minerals. High levels of Iron, Sulphur and Molybdenum can negatively affect copper absorption and lead to deficiencies. Copper also interacts with Zinc, chrome and cadmium; too high or low levels of these minerals adversely affect each other. Copper levels in the diet are closely linked to soil copper levels which can be very high in some areas and almost zero in others. Selenium is very important for reproduction and the attainment of puberty and immunity. Cobalt is very important, especially in kids and young goats; deficiencies can lead to severe anaemia and large mortality rates. Phosphate deficiencies are more common in goats than sheep, and levels must be adequate; however, too high levels can lead to urolithiasis. Care must be taken when using injectable mineral supplements, as goats are more prone to adverse reactions and toxicity due to their different metabolism. 8,25 Vitamins Goats are very prone to thiaminase deficiencies which causes polioenchepalomalacia. Anorexia and lethargy are usually the first signs, followed by stargazing, ataxia, blindness, and recumbency. Usually, it is due to incorrect nutrition - a high level of carbohydrates, high sulphur levels and amprolium (a thiamine antagonist) are the most common causes. Vit B1 can be injected at 10-20mg/kg every 3-6 hours 5 times (dosage depending on the severity of symptoms) till symptoms are resolved. Appropriate dietary changes must be made to prevent further cases, especially if due to sulphur, as these cases don’t respond well to Vit B1 injections. Young goats are often affected by white muscle disease caused by Vit E deficiency. This condition is often in conjunctionwith a Seleniumdeficiency. Correct nutritional supplementation is the best treatment, but acute cases can be injected with Vit E/Se. Vitamin A is also important for all mucous membrane health. Supplementation can be done orally, in feed (must be protected molecules as sunlight destroys Vit A) or using injectables. 9 Other diseases Goats are very prone to enterotoxaemia due to Clostridium perfringens D. Any nutrition changes can cause an outbreak with both the acute form, the animal just found dead, or more subacute form, which presents as colic with diarrhoea. Glucosuria is usually present. Treatment with fluids, penicillin, antitoxin and anti-inflammatories can be attempted but generally unsuccessful. Prevention is the best control. Two vaccinations starting at 5-6 weeks with a booster three weeks later and then every six months is the most successful. It is important to explain to owners that the same vaccine should be used. Changing brands leads to less protection as carriers and adjuvants differ between vaccines. 9 Abscesses, orf and Dermatophilosus are also common in goats due to their browsing and general behaviour, exposing them to thorns, small abrasions and scratches. Vaccination, parental antibiotics, Zinc sulphate, and wound remedies can control these problems. >>> 10