⚠️ Not veterinary advice. This guide is for education on minor issues only. If you are unsure, or your animal is in pain, call your veterinarian. In an emergency, call immediately.
Parasites (worms / anemia) in goats and cows
Should I call the vet?
Typical signs: Weight loss, rough coat, bottle jaw (swelling under jaw), pale eyelids, diarrhea.
Call your vet now if you see
- FAMACHA 4–5 (white eyelids)
- Bottle jaw
- Weak or down
What you can do
- Check FAMACHA eyelid color and body condition.
- Fecal egg count via vet/lab to choose a dewormer (resistance is common).
- Rotate pasture; avoid grazing very short grass.
- Deworm only animals that need it (targeted).
When to call the vet
If pale/anemic, bottle jaw, or weak — urgently.
Normal adult vital signs (at rest)
Goat
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 101.5–103.5 °F | Over 104 °F or under 100 °F |
| Heart rate | 70–90 /min | Over 110 at rest |
| Respiration | 12–20 /min (higher in heat) | Open-mouth breathing |
| Rumen | 1–2 contractions/min (left side) | None, or left side tight like a drum |
| FAMACHA (eyelid) | Red–pink (score 1–2) | Pale pink/white (4–5) = anemia |
| Manure | Firm pellets | Diarrhea, clumps, none |
Cow
| Vital | Normal | Concerning |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 100.4–102.8 °F | Over 103.5 °F or under 100 °F |
| Heart rate | 48–84 /min (calves 100–120) | Over 100 at rest (adult) |
| Respiration | 26–50 /min | Labored, open-mouth, grunting |
| Rumen | 1–2 contractions/min | None, or left side swollen |
| Cud chewing | Chews cud ~8 h/day | Stopped chewing cud |
| Hydration | Skin tent < 2 s; eyes not sunken | Sunken eyes, skin tents > 4 s |
Young animals differ. Learn each animal's healthy baseline and record it.
More from Should I Call the Vet?
All 51 topics · Goat records · Cattle records · Parasites & toxic plants by state
Other goat topics
- Minor cuts & scrapes
- Rain rot / rain scald
- Eye irritation
- Bloat
- Diarrhea (scours)
- Foot rot / foot scald / overgrown hooves
- Enterotoxemia (overeating) warning signs
- Urinary stones (male goats/steers)
- Sore mouth (orf)
- Lice / mange / skin irritation
- Polio (thiamine deficiency) warning signs
- Mild mastitis
- Pinkeye
- Mild cough / respiratory (calves, kids)
- Milk fever / ketosis around calving/kidding
- Heat stress
Keep every record in one place
Herd Papers keeps vaccines, Coggins, vet and farrier visits, weight and body condition for each animal, and reminds you before things come due.
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