meningeal worms

[ChksontheRun]

Just wondering if any of you all have had success treating Meningeal worms in your goats. I noticed one of our goats acting a little bit lame last week after hoof trimming. I just watched it and it didnt seem to get much worse. This past week has been very busy at work and I really did not see the goats in daylight. Today, I took thanksgiving visitors to the barn to feed the goats and our poor Amber was very weak in her hind end. She does not seem in pain, and has a good appetite, she is just very weak. I called the vet who believes it is meningeal worms. She gave me banamine, and a dose of Bose just in case. Then I gave a good strong dose of Ivermectin and Panacure which she says is very effective here for them. This is our best milker, and a very sweet goat. I am so worried about her and just hope she pulls through. I would love to hear about anyone elses experience with this parasite as many of the web sites are very discouraging. I believe she is bred, and wonder if she is going to loose the kid(s). And if she does pull through, will she always be weak, in otherwords, will she be able to deliver....... UGH.

 

[elevan]

I've never had to deal with it. I'm very sorry that you have to. My thoughts are with you and Amber.

 

[ksalvagno]

Unfortunately, your best chance was when you first saw her lame. But you can certainly try. Do Panacur at 1cc per 7lbs for 5 days. Depending on how fast you treat depends on how well they recover. Only time will tell. I hope your girl pulls through.

 

[ChksontheRun]

She is still up walking and eating. Seems ever so slightly better, probably due to the Banamine. Is there anything else that I should be thinking of. We poured concrete in the milking area of the barn today so the barn will actually be a little warmer tonight due to the curing of the concrete. They are all tucked in for the night. Guess I will see what tomorrow brings. So my question now is, if we are successful in treating the worms, will I see her improve, or will that take time. How will I know we are successful...... Please, any experiences would be an encouragement.

 

[ksalvagno]

It takes a long time for improvement. My experience is with alpacas but I would think I would see the same thing in a goat. You know you are successful if she lives. Only time will tell what damage has been done.

 

[Roll farms]

We had a doe w/ meningeal worm. Even though I'd dealt w/ it in a llama, I (stupidly) didn't realize that was her problem until she'd gotten in pretty bad shape.
She couldn't walk at all at the end (if we stood her back end up, it just fell back over) and despite treatment for a few weeks, she didn't improve.
We put Hillary down last winter. Diagnosis was confirmed by the vet w/ a post.
That's not much encouragement, but it's all I've got.

Every goat will respond differently to treatment, and it certainly won't hurt to try, as KSal said. It sounds like your vet is on the ball and has prescribed a good course of treatment. Good luck.

 

[autumnprairie]

Hope you get a quick recovery

 

[ChksontheRun]

So far so good. She has not gone down completely yet we even had difficulty catching her yesterday which I take as a good sign. She does not enjoy getting her medicine... She is definitely weak in her hind quarters, but still walking and running when she needs to. The LGD's are taking very good care of her and were even unhappy with me when I had to catch her yesterday. Her best buddy Uhoh will not leave her side and keeps rubbing up against her. It is very sweet, and I know Uhoh will be devastated if she goes as they are VERY bonded.

Very interesting when a goat in the little herd is ill, they all seem to rally around.(Of course I am inluding the LGDs in the "herd"

 

[SheepGirl]

We had two ewes get meningeal worms. Both did not survive.

I am sorry you have to deal with it with your doe.

 

[honeyb12]

What are the symptoms of these worms.. And what can be done to prevent them..?