Internal parasitism is the leading cause of economic loss and mortality in goat herds worldwide. For pet goat owners the problem is just as real but often underestimated. This guide gives you the tools to set up an effective, targeted and sustainable deworming protocol for your herd.

Contrôle vétérinaire régulier : indispensable pour le suivi parasitaire

Why Is Deworming So Critical in Goats?

Goats are especially susceptible to gastrointestinal strongyles, particularly Haemonchus contortus (the barber pole worm), which feeds on blood and can kill a weakened animal within weeks. Unlike cattle, goats have a faster metabolism and require higher doses of some molecules — which complicates resistance management.

The FAMACHA Method: Only Treat Animals That Need It

FAMACHA is a simple, scientifically validated technique to identify animals that need deworming without blanket-treating the whole herd. It involves comparing the color of the conjunctival mucosa (under the lower eyelid) to a 5-color reference card:

Annual Deworming Schedule

This schedule is a general guide — adapt it to your geographic context, pasture parasite pressure and your vet's fecal egg count recommendations.

Fighting Anthelmintic Resistance

Resistance to dewormers is growing rapidly in European and North American goat herds, especially to benzimidazoles. To slow resistance development:

• Never blanket-treat — use FAMACHA or fecal egg counts to guide treatment
• Verify efficacy with post-treatment fecal egg count reduction tests (FECRT) at day 14
• Rotate drug classes according to a plan agreed with your vet
• Never under-dose — weigh animals and dose to actual body weight
• Quarantine treated animals 48 hours before returning them to pasture
• Maintain refugia: leave 20–30% of the least parasitized animals untreated to preserve a population of drug-sensitive worms

Approche intégrée : plantes répulsives et gestion du pâturage