Am I buying healthy goats? How do I know

[OneFineAcre]

@Devonviolet
I thought you had goats

 

[Devonviolet]

Heh, heh, heh . . . DAIRY goats is the operational word. And yes, I have 4 wonderful Nigerian Dwarf wethers.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Y'all keep in mind that it is still important to make sure the wethers are tested. @Devonviolet -this is something you need to look at before you bring any other goats in.

@Samantha drawz Like the others said, stay away from that goat!
From what I've seen, it seems like CAE is more common in Nubians than some of the other dairy breeds.

Something a lot of folks forget to ask with the nubians are the eye issues. I have seen nubians & mini nubians with entropion and ectropion. People tend to forget about this but it is very important. You don't want to breed this. When looking at Nubians you need to ask the breeder about it. Ask if they have ever had to get the eyelids stapled. If they do, run quickly!

 

[OneFineAcre]

We are planning to test for TB and Brucillisis this year too

 

[Devonviolet]

Y'all keep in mind that it is still important to make sure the wethers are tested. @Devonviolet -this is something you need to look at before you bring any other goats in.

@Goat Whisperer. Absolutely. I bought the microscope, and now have syringes, and needles, so I can test my goats. For sure I will test my wethers before I bring other goats on our property and will quarantine any goats brought here, after obtaining proper documentation

 

[Southern by choice]

I'm so glad I haven't bought any dairy goats yet! Up until recently I wasn't aware of the need for excellent testing & documentation when buying a goat. Southern has helped me a lot, with disease awareness & importance of testing & documentation.

As far as microscopes go. I have been told it doesn't need to be expensive or have lots of features. That doesn't really help, though, because there are lots of options & price ranges out there. I did a lot of research & then added what I know from my nursing experience, and ended up buying this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005APM5C6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

I also bought disposable slides, a variety of beaker sizes, 16X150mm test tube& disposable plastic pipettes.

How to test fecal samples on goats:

http://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/fecals.htm
http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/fecals.html
http://www.goatbiology.com/fecal.html
http://www.goatworld.com/articles/worms/course2.shtml


Blood testing:
I'm also going to try my hand with drawing blood and sending out blood for testing. I have a bit of an advantage over most, because of my nursing experience drawing blood & starting IVs. But with the articles & videos online, I wouldn't think it would be too hard to learn. One video I saw, a 10 year old child did it (with help of course).

Of course, since I haven't done it yet, I can't verify how good they are. But here is link for a lab that processes the labs once you've drawn the blood:
http://www.dhlaboratory.com/goats

How to draw blood from a goat:
http://www.boergoatshome.com/Blood_testing.php

Personally I do not care for any fecal testing on goats that is not McMasters method.

Here is why- Regular flotation with slide/cover ONLY shows you what kind of parasite and if you have any. It does not give you any real idea of the number, whether you have a high load or low load. Depending on how long you let the cover sit on the float will change how many eggs you see. McMaster method is formulated to give an accurate Eggs Per Gram Count. This is the info you need. Everything is measured to give you the information the see if you need to deworm, monitor only, and to see reduction.
This is the most accurate way to tell if
a) your dewormer works
b) reduction % (you want 95%)
c) who is your parasite problem in your herd

20% of your herd/flock is responsible for 80% of the parasites. Find them and cull.

Using McMasters along with FAMACHA is most effective. You are not just looking at numbers but resistance... 2 kinds of resistance. Goats that just don't seem to pick up much is one type the other is how affected is the goat at what EPG Count. Some goats cannot handle a 450- 650 count. Another goat can maintain and do well at 1000 count.

We have seen goats at 1000 EPG that have screaming red lids (good) we have seen goats at 1200 at near white.

McMasters is EASY!

Here is a goat we evaluated- Goat was on HERBAL "dewormers" only faithfully given. - We see this all the time with those that use herbals. Nothing wrong with herbals but you still must monitor because once a load gets too high herbals cannot keep up.

Here are some pics using the MM

 

[Southern by choice]

Not saying not to do the testing and if you own a dairy you must do the testing by law but many in North Carolina do not test for Brucellosis/TB because NC is an accredited free state

Has something changed?
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/9/77.7
77.7Accredited-free States or zones.
(a)The following are accredited-free States: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas,Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

pg 3 on this PDF shows NC free for 21+ years
http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/Comm...tionalBrucellosisEradicationUpdate_Thomas.pdf

 

[babsbag]

I think I read somewhere that ADGA is going to require TB testing for shows. But maybe that is only in certain states...of CA being one of them...always.

I don't show but I have to get my herd tested for the dairy.

 

[Southern by choice]

I think I read somewhere that ADGA is going to require TB testing for shows. But maybe that is only in certain states...of CA being one of them...always.

I don't show but I have to get my herd tested for the dairy.

Wow. With this testing, because it is a Federal program, you MUST have a vet draw blood and fill out all paperwork to be submitted.
Wonder how expensive that will be for people.

 

[OneFineAcre]

You are supposed to test if shipping to certain states and I have not been doing that
It is required for ADGA national show
Probably a good idea since we are selling milk