Purchased goats can be a major source of worm problems. Start with conducting a fecal egg count test using the Wisconsin Sugar Float method to determine the level of internal parasite infection. Deworm purchased goats with two dewormers of different classes. The two most common are Benzimidoles like SAFE-GUARD^® (fenbendazole) or Macrocylic Lactones like ivermectin.

• Use products labeled and designed for goats.
• Administer SAFE-GUARD^® slowly to ensure each goat swallows a full dose.
• SAFE-GUARD^® suspension works best when administered over the back of the tongue with a drench gun designed for goats. Proper deworming ensures SAFE-GUARD^® ends up in the rumen providing a killing dose.

Rotate goats to pastures grazed by cattle or vacant land. Pastures grazed by cattle or horses help clean the pasture of parasites of goats as the parasites are generally species specific.

• Monitor the level parasite infections on your farm by conducting an annual fecal egg count test using the Wisconsin Sugar Float method.
• Check eyelids for anemia using the FAMACHA^© score system that matches eyelid color to anemia levels, an indicator of clinical barber pole worm infection.

Cull "poor doers" and goats with consistently high worm egg counts.

Proper pasture or forage management can help reduce parasite burdens in the animal and their negative effects on production.

• Grow tall vegetation
• Keep stocking rates low
• Make hay from goat pasture
• Tilling soil reduces number of worm larvae on pasture
• Grow annual pasture (wheat and Sudan crosses)

• Weigh goats prior to deworming so an accurate dose of dewormer can be given.
• Use a drench gun designed for goats.
• Test the drench gun to make sure it is administering a full dose.
• Do not under dose — this can trigger resistance to dewormer used.