Give Me the Truth: Goats and Herbal Wormers

[cassie]

Good question on the TB.

In a particular herd of 3 goats...
2 have coughing and sinus discharges, but I'dsay it is improving. To my knowledge, two months ago they were "diagnosed" with colds. I simply don't have a ton of details, sorry. I know they are bothered by particular hays and feeds, which current owner aims to avoid but we had a major hay shortage up here for a while. My understanding is both these things can cause or contribute.
Goat 3 got over this cold faster, but she's got symptoms indicative to my knowledge of worm overload. Why? Losing weight, one week fine next week thin. Clumpy poos. Very pale famaches. Other two goats are slightly pale. Goat 3 has two kids still nursing, but they're leaving farm soon, they're past weaning age. This goat arrived at this farm being mineral deficient (Very small stature, hair and skin issues, etc) and was already bred. It's looking like she should not be bred again and needs close watching on mineral intakes.
These goats are actively treated and watched for any illnesses. The sudden downturn on goat 3, plus the lingering cough on 1 and 2 made me ponder the efficiency of herbal remedies being used. I'm all for natural, use natural remedies myself, but there are limitations to natural remedies. I need to have a firm understanding of these limitations before taking on any goats, ill or well.

Have you thought about having these animals tested for Johnes?

 

[DellaMyDarling]

Have you thought about having these animals tested for Johnes?

They have indeed been tested. I'd never consider them if the usual round of critical diseases wasn't tested for.
I'm only 3/4 of a noob hehe.
My book makes it sound as if not all disease testing is 100% accurate however. I have not read the full chapter on that yet though. The chickens keep distracting me with their medical needs.