Chronicle Editor
ONE goat producer and follower of this column lost two of his goats to a disease that his local vets are yet to ascertain. The goats had pimply gut from pictures shared and hence, I thought we could discuss this very common phenomenon in most goat farmers.
Pimply gut is also known as parasitic nodules or intestinal nodules. It is a very common condition in goats. The intestines of your goats will have some nodules or pimples. Most of us who have slaughtered goats have seen these.
The level of infestation will vary and if these nodules become too many, your goat will show signs of being unwell. The nodules are caused by internal parasites, mostly worms. Protozoal and bacterial infections can also cause these nodules on the gut of your goat.
Obviously, the nodules can only be seen when you have slaughtered your goat, which at times will be looking very healthy, especially if the level of infestation is low. Symptoms that can point to a possibility of pimply gut in your goats include diarrhoea or a very loose dung.
This is usually an indication of very high internal parasites load. Your goat will have its back smeared with dung because it is passing a loose stool, which tends to stick around the tail area. Your goat will also lose weight because of too much internal parasite infestation. It will also look unthrift and sickly.
The animal will generally have a reduced appetite. It may also show indications of experiencing abdominal pain. The treatment for the pimply gut is by use of anthelmintics for control of internal parasites. Anthelmintics are simply dosing chemicals.
These will control internal parasites especially worms in your goats and prevent development of the intestinal nodules. It is therefore, very important for goat producers to adhere to the recommended dosing regimes so that they control internal parasites in their goats. Also, it is advisable to alternate dosing remedies and use broad-spectrum remedies that control a wider range of internal parasites.
A very high load of internal parasites, especially worms can also result in damage to the liver of your goat. The liver becomes cirrhotic and loses its natural function due to worm attacks. Antibiotic injections can be used in cases where bacterial infection is suspected to be the cause of the gut nodules.
Prevention of pimply gut in your goats is primarily through regular de-worming programmes as already alluded to above. Proper nutrition and feeding practices that do not promote the ingestion of internal parasites should be adopted. Clean drinking water and a hygienic environment for your goats can also prevent parasitic nodules in your goats.
Also, have a keen observant eye for early signs of possible internal parasite infestation in your goats and act in time to remedy the situation. While pimply gut is a common condition in most goats, if left unattended it can result in some severe effects to your animals. These include damage to the intestines, secondary infections and reduced fertility.
The presence of parasitic nodules can predispose your goats to secondary infections and affect their general health. A sickly goat is unlikely to breed because reproduction becomes secondary as the animal struggles with its health. Therefore, the general fertility is compromised.
Uyabonga umntaka MaKhumalo.
Mhlupheki Dube is a livestock specialist and farmer. He writes in his own capacity. Feedback [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> cell 0772851275
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