SHIPPING FEVER IN NEWLY ACQUIRED GOATS
Shipping Fever in goats is caused from the stress of being moved to a new location. Shipping Fever can happen to any goat whether they are moved across the street to a new pasture or when they are moved across the USA to a new climate. It is very stressful when you move a herd animal to a new and unfamiliar location. When the goat becomes stressed their immune system becomes suppressed. Once the immune system is compromised all sorts of problems can start showing up! If you notice any of the following symptoms in a newly acquired goat you should act quickly.
Coughing: A healthy goat will cough occasionally. For example, when they swallow their cud wrong. If you hear your goat coughing make note of it. Was it just one episode? Then it may not being something to worry about. Just keep an eye on them for a few days.
Have you heard your goat coughing during more then 1 episode? Has it gone on for several days in a row? If so, I would check temperature and keep a very close eye on them. If it goes on for more then a few days, gets worse or is accompanied by any of the following symptoms I would consider a vet visit and possibly antibiotics.
Rattling in the chest: If you feel your goat has a rattling chest I would highly recommend a vet visit and antibiotics immediately. Usually the chest rattling is accompanied by fever, runny nose, coughing and/or lack of appetite.
Fever: A resting temperature over 103.5 is likely going to require antibiotics. You may start noticing other symptoms like lack of appetite or chills by the time a fever sets in. If your goat has a fever see a veterinarian immediately.
Nasal Discharge: A clear watery nasal discharge is not uncommon in healthy goats. It could be brought on by weather change, allergies or dust. However, if your goat has yellow or green nasal discharge a vet visit and antibiotics are likely needed immediately. Sometimes the snotty nose starts BEFORE the fever sets in. I would not advise waiting and letting a snotty nose go even if the goat does not have a fever. A stuffy nose will likely cause them to go off feed and young goats can go downhill very quickly.
Diarrhea: When you move a goat you are exposing it to new grass and possibly new feeds. Diarrhea can be brought on by a change in diet. Always introduce goats to new pasture and grains slowly. If they are not accustom to green grass they can over eat on it.
Diarrhea can also be caused by internal parasites and protozoa. If your new goat has diarrhea I highly recommend you have a fecal done by a vet. A lower immune system from the stress of the move allows parasites and protozoa to over populate very quickly. Diarrhea can dehydrate and kill a baby goat if left untreated.
These are just a few things that can happen when you bring a new goat home. Always pay close attention to new arrivals for several weeks. Goats in general can become ill and die very quickly without vet care. The younger the goat the faster they can go downhill. Weather extremes such as high humidity, wet pastures, extreme heat and extreme cold can make shipping stress worse. When in doubt, contact a goat knowledgeable vet such as the following:
Shipping Fever in goats is caused from the stress of being moved to a new location. Shipping Fever can happen to any goat whether they are moved across the street to a new pasture or when they are moved across the USA to a new climate. It is very stressful when you move a herd animal to a new and unfamiliar location. When the goat becomes stressed their immune system becomes suppressed. Once the immune system is compromised all sorts of problems can start showing up! If you notice any of the following symptoms in a newly acquired goat you should act quickly.
Coughing: A healthy goat will cough occasionally. For example, when they swallow their cud wrong. If you hear your goat coughing make note of it. Was it just one episode? Then it may not being something to worry about. Just keep an eye on them for a few days.
Have you heard your goat coughing during more then 1 episode? Has it gone on for several days in a row? If so, I would check temperature and keep a very close eye on them. If it goes on for more then a few days, gets worse or is accompanied by any of the following symptoms I would consider a vet visit and possibly antibiotics.
Rattling in the chest: If you feel your goat has a rattling chest I would highly recommend a vet visit and antibiotics immediately. Usually the chest rattling is accompanied by fever, runny nose, coughing and/or lack of appetite.
Fever: A resting temperature over 103.5 is likely going to require antibiotics. You may start noticing other symptoms like lack of appetite or chills by the time a fever sets in. If your goat has a fever see a veterinarian immediately.
Nasal Discharge: A clear watery nasal discharge is not uncommon in healthy goats. It could be brought on by weather change, allergies or dust. However, if your goat has yellow or green nasal discharge a vet visit and antibiotics are likely needed immediately. Sometimes the snotty nose starts BEFORE the fever sets in. I would not advise waiting and letting a snotty nose go even if the goat does not have a fever. A stuffy nose will likely cause them to go off feed and young goats can go downhill very quickly.
Diarrhea: When you move a goat you are exposing it to new grass and possibly new feeds. Diarrhea can be brought on by a change in diet. Always introduce goats to new pasture and grains slowly. If they are not accustom to green grass they can over eat on it.
Diarrhea can also be caused by internal parasites and protozoa. If your new goat has diarrhea I highly recommend you have a fecal done by a vet. A lower immune system from the stress of the move allows parasites and protozoa to over populate very quickly. Diarrhea can dehydrate and kill a baby goat if left untreated.
These are just a few things that can happen when you bring a new goat home. Always pay close attention to new arrivals for several weeks. Goats in general can become ill and die very quickly without vet care. The younger the goat the faster they can go downhill. Weather extremes such as high humidity, wet pastures, extreme heat and extreme cold can make shipping stress worse. When in doubt, contact a goat knowledgeable vet such as the following:
