Can I Bath My Baby Goat?

Question

My baby goat has fleas or something so can i bath it and if i can what can i use to get rid of the fleas.

By the way its a orphan goat so i wouldnt be taking it away from its mum or anything and it don't have a mum to clean it or anything.

Answer 1

Sorry, but I completely disagree with bathing goats unless it is absolutely necessary.  It's pretty hard to wash them and have them completely dried and comfortable in the same afternoon.  A wet goat is very succeptible to respiratory problems - wet goats get pneumonia.  Young kids are even more at risk.  Don't do it.

I don't even wash goats before show.  Their pens are kept clean and they're bedded on pine shavings, so they don't really get dirty.  Prior to show, they get the clippers and some basic cleanup (usually a waterless shampoo) if it's really needed.  None of the other breeders I know wash their goats, either.

Chances are, your kid doesn't have fleas, but lice or mites.  Even if the kid was with its mother, she wouldn't clean it like a cat or dog would.  Lice can cause skin problems, anemia and underweight kids and needs to be treated.

Have you wormed the kid yet?  Make sure you use a round of safeguard for goats (oral wormer).  This is a pretty mild dewormer and you'll have to deworm twice.  Follow instructions on the bottle.  The added benefit of dewormer is it often treats external parasites as well.

For a topical treatment, start with a dusting of DE (diamotous earth).  This is a completely safe and effective way to treat internal and external parasites.  DE can actually be added to feed - it is powdered fossil that penetrates parasite eggs and eliminates them.  Dust your kid with it but keep it out of the eyes and nose.  You should see a pretty quick improvement.

If the problem is persistent, I use a couple of drops of Ivomec (for cattle, actually, they'd don't make it for goats) and give it to the kids orally.  Ivomec is a very potent dewormer and I only use it when there is evidence of resistent parasites.

I had a fecal sample taken from one of my does last week and the vet tested it with no eggs (or worms) in my animals, so I can stand by my methods - no parasites, no lice or mites without baths or heavy duty chemical treatments.

Answer 2

We bathe our baby goats for shows at two weeks of age but we are very careful to keep them warm and stress free. You did not mention how old this baby is and your problem may be fleas or lice that are on the coat and both are blood suckers and need to be removed.

If this is a really young baby, like under a month and is in good health, wash it with a gentle kitten shampoo with warm water and use Ivomec Pour on with a cotton swab to dab the flea control on the shoulder blades.  If the baby is weak but needs to be rid of the pests, just dab on the product and wait until the baby is stronger to wash.  I would call a vet for correct dosage information if you are not familiar with the product.  This product works better than powers and sprays  and is systemic.  I have also used sevin dust but the Ivomec is better.   You can purchase this at a feed store or ranch supply store.

If you have an older goat that is in good weight and healthy, you can use the hose if the weather is warm and make sure the goat gets dried so it stays warm but is not in a breezy area.  Same treatment for the parasites.  

Orphaned babies are so very cute and they get very attached to you as their mommies.  You will get a sweet goat who is gentle and fun when it grows up.  Wish you the best.