Goat Deworming Guide: Managing Internal Parasites

Key Takeaways

• Internal parasites are a major health threat to goats, and widespread parasite resistance has made routine whole-herd deworming ineffective and risky.
• Tools like FAMACHA scoring and the Five Point Check help identify goats with the heaviest parasite burdens so only the most affected animals are treated.
• Strategic parasite control combines selective deworming with pasture management, appropriate nutrition, and additional tools recommended by your veterinarian.
• Dewormers fall into three main classes, and research shows rotating between classes does not prevent resistance. 
• Dewormer dosage and administration depend on the product, parasite being targeted, and individual animal. Always consult your veterinarian for goat-specific recommendations.

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Internal parasites are often one of the greatest health threats to goats. Parasite infections can reduce weight gain, decrease milk production, and in severe cases cause anemia or death if not managed properly.

The problem has been compounded by the ability of the parasite population to develop resistance to dewormers, making it necessary to deworm strategically only the most severely affected animals, rather than deworming all animals in a herd.

Identifying Goats That Need Deworming

Deciding which animals to deworm can be aided by using the FAMACHA© score, which measures anemia by comparing the color of the lower eyelid to a color chart, and is especially valuable when dealing with the barberpole worm.

Another helpful management tool is the Five Point Check© system, which expands beyond FAMACHA scoring and evaluates several physical indicators of parasite problems:

• Eye color (anemia)
• Body condition
• Hair coat quality
• Soiling around the tail
• Edema under the jaw (commonly called “bottle jaw”) 

Using these evaluation methods allows producers to identify goats with heavier parasite burdens and treat those animals while leaving the rest untreated. This targeted approach helps slow the development of parasite resistance.

When Should I Deworm My Goat?

Not every goat needs to be dewormed on the same schedule. Regular monitoring using the FAMACHA© scoring system and Five Point Check can help identify goats that may need treatment. Use the following guide to help evaluate your herd and discuss treatment  decisions with your veterinarian.

What You See	Suggested Next Step
FAMACHA 1-2, good body condition, no bottle jaw	Treatment may not be necessary. Continue monitoring on your regular schedule.
FAMACHA 3	Evaluate other health factors, including age, pregnancy, lactation, and additional Five Point Check signs. Consult your veterinarian if treatment may be needed.
FAMACHA 4-5	Contact your veterinarian promptly for treatment guidance, especially if your goat is weak or showing signs of illness.
Bottle jaw, poor body condition, or dull coat	Consult your veterinarian to determine whether parasites or another health concern may be responsible.
Soiling under the tail (scours)	Check for other possible causes, including coccidiosis, before assuming intestinal worms are responsible.

 

How often should I check my goats?

Monitor your goats regularly, especially during warm, wet weather when parasite exposure may increase. Pregnant does may need closer monitoring beginning 2-4 weeks before kidding and continuing through 6-8 weeks after birth. Work with your veterinarian to establish an appropriate monitoring schedule.

Remember: FAMACHA© scoring primarily helps identify anemia associated with barber pole worm infections. Because other parasites may not cause anemia, use it alongside the Five Point Check when evaluating your goats.

Deworming Around Kidding

A doe’s immunity to internal parasites can temporarily decrease around kidding, typically beginning 2-4 weeks before birth and continuing through 6-8 weeks after kidding. This may lead to increased parasite egg shedding and greater pasture contamination, making regular monitoring especially important during this period.

Some parasites, such as threadworms, may also be transmitted from the doe to the kid through the placenta, making parasite control in pregnant does an important preventative measure.

Management Practices That Help Reduce Parasites

Strategic deworming works best when combined with other parasite management practices. These may include:

• Pasture management and rotation to help reduce parasite exposure
• Targeted deworming of animals that need treatment
• Copper oxide wire particles, such as Copasure, when recommended by your veterinarian
• Combination deworming with different drug classes under veterinary guidance
• Feeding sericea lespedeza, which contains condensed tannins that may help reduce certain parasite burdens

Classes of Dewormers for Goats

Goat dewormers fall into three main classes. Each works differently to control internal parasites. Your veterinarian can help determine which class is appropriate based on parasite resistance, treatment history, and your herd's needs.

Class	Common Products	How It Works	Dosing Considerations
Benzimidazoles	SafeGuard, Valbazen and Synanthic	Interferes with the worms' ability to use energy.	Resistance is common. Check product labels for pregnancy restrictions.
Macrocyclic lactones	Cydectin and Ivomec	Disrupts nerve and muscle function, causing paralysis.	Route of administration and dosing depend on the specific product.
Imidazothiazoles	Prohibit and Levamed	Causes sustained muscle contraction and paralysis in worms.	Has a narrower margin of safety, making accurate dosing especially important.

*Always consult your veterinarian about the appropriate dewormer, dosage, and route of administration for your goats. Follow applicable product labeling and veterinary guidance, including meat and milk withdrawal requirements.

Regularly rotating between dewormer classes does not necessarily prevent parasite resistance. Dewormer selection should be based on treatment effectiveness, parasite resistance patterns, and veterinary recommendations rather than routine rotation alone.

Dewormer dosage and administration can vary between goats and other livestock species. Some products may require different dosing or administration methods in goats. Work with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate product, dosage, and route of administration, and follow applicable withdrawal requirements.

How to Tell if Deworming Treatment Worked

After deworming your goats, it's important to determine whether the treatment was effective. One way to check is through a fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), which compares the number of parasite eggs in manure samples before and after treatment.

To perform this test, collect fresh fecal samples from several goats before deworming. Label each sample, keep it cool, and contact your veterinarian or a diagnostic laboratory for collection and submission instructions. Approximately 10-14 days after treatment, collect a second sample from the same animals.

Understanding the results: 

• Large reduction in egg counts: Suggests the dewormer was effective.
• Small reduction in egg counts: May indicate parasite resistance or another issue affecting treatment effectiveness.

You can also monitor your goats for signs of improvement, including better FAMACHA© scores, improved body condition, and reduced bottle jaw (swelling beneath the jaw). These changes may take longer to appear than improvements in fecal egg counts and should not replace follow-up testing.

What if the treatment didn't work?

If testing suggests the dewormer was ineffective, consult your veterinarian before treating again. They can help evaluate possible parasite resistance, confirm proper dosing and administration, review pasture management practices, and determine whether a different class of dewormer is needed.

Managing internal parasites in goats requires regular monitoring, targeted treatment, and good pasture management. By working with your veterinarian and evaluating each animal's needs, you can develop a parasite control program that supports herd health while helping reduce the development of dewormer resistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I deworm goats?

Goats should be dewormed based on individual parasite risk rather than a fixed whole-herd schedule. Regular FAMACHA© scoring, the Five Point Check, and fecal testing can help determine when treatment may be necessary.

Can I deworm pregnant does?

Some dewormers may be used during pregnancy, but safety depends on the specific product and stage of pregnancy. Consult your veterinarian before administering a dewormer to a pregnant doe.

Why is my dewormer not working?

Parasite resistance, incorrect dosing, or improper administration can reduce treatment effectiveness. A fecal egg count reduction test can help determine whether a dewormer is working. Your veterinarian can help identify the cause and recommend next steps.

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