Parasitic Diseases in Goats: Therapeutics and Control Measures

Goats act as a crucial source of meat, milk, and wool for humans worldwide. Due to their browsing and foraging activity, their health and production constantly suffer from the threat of helminth infection and ectoparasitic infestation. However, there is limited and scattered information on the therapeutics and control of parasites in goats. The information available for the sheep and cattle industry is often reinforced in the goat industry without any safety and efficacy trials of particular formulations in goats. This chapter emphasizes the fact that goat metabolism differs widely from other small ruminants. Therefore, the therapeutic dosage regimen of anthelmintics and other oral medications in goats differs significantly from other animals. Secondly, refugia must be maintained in the animal farms to maintain the efficacy of available drugs. The emergence of anthelmintic and acaricide resistance can be delayed by using integrated parasite management practices. Prudent implication of available therapeutics in light of available scientific literature can significantly impact the livelihood of farmers engaged in the goat industry.