In Practice 24: 76-89 (2002)
© 2002 British Veterinary Association

Parasites of goats: a guide to diagnosis and control

¹ Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge; Royal Veterinary Collage; University of Wales.

GOATS share a number of diseases in common with sheep and cattle and this is particularly true with regard to parasitic infections. The most important endoparasitic diseases seen in goats are parasitic gastroenteritis caused by gastrointestinal nematodes, and coccidiosis caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria. Other internal parasitic infections seen in goats include cryptosporidiosis, a rapidly emerging zoonotic infection of domestic animals (and humans), adult tapeworms and several metacestodes, and insect larvae of the family Oestridae (bots and warbles). Ectoparasites may be found either permanently on goats (eg, mites and lice) or only when they come to feed (eg, ticks and flies). Such parasites may be a source of annoyance or may result in illthrift and disease. This article discusses the pathogenesis, diagnosis and control of the major endo- and ectoparasitic infections of goats.