HEALTHY GOAT, Happy FARMER

Goats may be hearty, but they still need their keeper's care in order to live long and be healthy.

- CHERIE LANGLOIS

Why do you have goats?" In the 20 years we've kept these engaging animals on our hobby farm, my husband and I have fielded this question a lot. People ask if we milk them (no) or if we eat them (no) or if we show them (no). Since a practical answer seems expected, I explain how our current herd of five wethers excel at brush control and tree trimming. But here's the real reason: We keep goats because we love them. They amuse us and make us happy, and we try to make them happy, too.

This happiness equation, however, hinges on our thus-far hardy herd's continuing good health. Aside from being more fun to live with, healthy goats perform their jobs better, be it blackberry control, milk production or winning ribbons. A sick, injured or (horror!) dead goat? Not so much.

Read on for six important ways you can help your goats thrive, too.

1. MONITOR FOR PARASITES, THEN CONTROL WHEN NECESSARY

Parasites are greedy organisms that live on or inside another host organism, stealing nourishment while providing no benefit in return.

In fact, they can be quite harmful to your goats.

"Parasite problems are far and away the biggest goat health problem we encounter in our practice," says Chris Duemler, D.V.M., who has treated small ruminants for 44 years and owns Brodhead Veterinary Medical Center in Brodhead, Wisconsin.

Goats can suffer from a number of external parasites, such as biting and sucking lice, keds, ticks and several mite species. Depending on the pest, infestations can irritate and infect the skin, transmit disease and lead to anemia and hair loss. In short, you could end up with some unthrifty and possibly very itchy goats.

A veterinarian can help you identify the culprit and advise on an appropriate treatment, often a topical insecticide.