Diarrhoea in Angora Goats
By Dr Mackie Hobson

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

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It is therefore vital 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.

A list of some possible causes include:

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

1. Feeding problems

1. Fresh lush pasture
2. Fibre shortage, excess concentrate feeding

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/the-importance-of-fibre-when-feeding-angora-goats#206

1. Sudden changes in diet –It takes the rumen 7-10 days to adapt to a new diet
2. Acidosis (excess concentrate insufficient fibre)

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/the-importance-of-fibre-when-feeding-angora-goats#207

1. 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

1. Incorrect feeding of ‘Hansies’

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/hand-rearing-hansies-orphaned-angora-kids

1. Bacterial causes

1. Escherichi Coli (E.Coli)

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/escherichia-coli-ecoli#175

1. 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

1. Salmonella (very young kids)
2. Johnes disease (not yet diagnosed in Angoras in South Africa)

https://www.angoras.co.za/article/johnes-disease-in-angora-goats

1. Giardia (kids 2-4 weeks)

1. Virus causes

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

1. Poisoning

1. 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

1. Ionophore poisoning

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

1. 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