I have a small herd of 8 pygmies. They free range and I supplement their diet with sweet feed, corn and hay. Lately, I have noticed excessive coughing from all of the animals. Does anyone have any ideas what this could be or its cause?

-- Frank Hickson (jeninfrank@msn.com), January 22, 2001

Answers

Response to Excessive Coughing

Frank, Are their temperatures normal - do they have runny noses - and has their eating/drinking decreased? If so, suspect pneumonia. If the goat's health is alright (except for cough), it may be due to dust or the hay. Are your feeders high or at easy access for the pygmies? Sometimes that can cause the coughing. Check their vital signs and if anything is serious, go to Goatworld 911, at http://www.goatworld.com, unless Vicki or more experienced goatperson catches your first. Good luck!

-- Marsha (CaprisMaa@aol.com), January 23, 2001.

Response to Excessive Coughing

How is the hay ? Is it moldy or dusty ?

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), January 23, 2001.

Response to Excessive Coughing

Hi,

Could be any number of things, such as mentioned already. when was the last time you wormed them?

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), January 23, 2001.