by Meg A Wright

Created on: July 07, 2009   Last Updated: July 08, 2009

Scours in goats is a medical way of saying the goat has diarrhea. Scours will usually have something to do with the feed or the feeding of the goat. Sometimes this may include parasites, or it might as well include overfeeding or indigestion.

First you need to decipher your goat to find out if it is a feed related issue or a parasitic cause.

Ask yourself these questions:

Have you changed the feed of the animal recently? A change in the type of feed can upset the animal's digestive system. This can include a different field of pasture as well as grain feed.

Have you changed the quantity of feed recently? If the animal is getting more feed than normal, it can be easy for the goat to overeat and get diarrhea.

If the answer is yes to either of these questions, return the goat to its normal feeding and introduce the new much more gradually. If the goat continues to have diarrhea upon switching, speak with your veterinarian. You may need to allow your goat some more time on the new feed or continue to feed the goat what it is used to.

How old is the animal? A young animal is more likely to have diarrhea. Check bottles, milk, temperature of the animal and the consistency of the feeding to regulate everything more. Using Spectam Sour-Halt (actually a pig scour preventer) is recommended.

What is the color of the diarrhea? A greenish color will indicate the issue is most likely a change in feed habits or quantity.

Have the goats been wormed lately? Worms and other parasites can cause diarrhea. One way to check for parasites can be to check the feces for eggs. You can either take a sample to your veterinarian or you can do some research and do it yourself. Proper and regular de-worming will help with any parasitical issues.

Remember, diarrhea in itself is not a disease, but a symptom and should be addressed as soon as possible. It is a purging effect on the body and helps to remove any unwonted or damaging thing to the body. If possible, let the scouring run its course and cleanse the body. If it does not clear up quickly or with some treatment and attention to feeding habits, call the veterinarian.

Remember never to use a human diarrhea product on a goat. Make sure to investigate and properly diagnose the problem before pumping your animal full of drugs. As said before, sometimes the diarrhea is a purging effect and if allowed to take its course, will clear up the sickness within the goat.

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