If you live in an area that’s wet, moist and/or humid, such as the southern or southeast parts of the U.S. you will have to worm your goats on a regular, frequent basis. If you live in the west, northwest, or even northeast parts of the country, you won’t have to worm your goats that often. Worming goats in the southern and southeast parts of the U.S. have become a problem mainly because the parasitic worms have built up a resistance to a number of formerly effective dewormers.

Fortunately, there are a number of dewormers that are still considered effective. These dewormers fall into two categories: clear dewormers and white dewormers. Clear dewormers are ivermectin based, while white dewormers are valbazen based. These dewormers are often always a part of prescribed deworming programs. They are effective against the 4 major types of parasitic worms found in goats, sheep, and cattle. These include tapeworms, stomach worms, lungworms, and liver flukes.

When your goats needs to be dewormed and what types of products you will use will depend on your goats fecal counts. This will also maximize the effects of the products. Deworming your goats should always be done under a veterinarians care, but you can purchase deworming products through a number of online retailers as well as worm and kennel suppliers, livestock stores, pet stores, etc. Continue reading to learn more about one of the most common worms in animals – the tapeworm.

About Tapeworms

In all, there are more than 3,200 types of parasites that can infect animals and humans as well. They are divided into the following categories:

• Cestoda – tapeworms
• Nematoda – hookworms, pinworms, and roundworms
• Protozoa – giardia
• Trematoda – flat worms

The tapeworm is one of the most common types of animal parasites. If left untreated, the tapeworm can reach up to three feet long and it can have as many as 90 segments. Fortunately, even at three feet long, tapeworms rarely cause any serious (or fatal) complications in Europe and North America. That said, tapeworms could cause some very unpleasant symptoms. Symptoms of tapeworm and other parasites in animals include:

Abdominal discomfort
Anemia
Bloody stools
Chills
Constipation
Coughing
Diarrhea
Eye pain
Fatigue
Fever
Gas
Insomnia
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Nervousness
Protein deficiency
Rashes
Stomach bloating
Vomiting
Weakness

It is important to keep in mind that these symptoms are also very common symptoms for many other diseases and conditions, so its best to consult your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis. Your vet will test for tapeworms by taking a feces sample and examining it for parasites and/or eggs. Fortunately, the vast majority of tapeworms can be eliminated by using some of the same methods or by taking some of the same types of antibiotics.

Most people want to hear that they can just go online and find the most effective treatments tapeworms. It’s best to consult your veterinarian for the best treatment options. Most non-prescription medications don’t work. A professional veterinarian will have access to a number of cutting edge medications and preventatives that are extremely effective against tapeworms.

How to Prevent Tapeworms

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent tapeworms. One of the most important ways to prevent a serious tapeworm infection is to have the animal screened for worms several times each year. If the animal is considered high-risk for worms, you should have him twice as much as normal. As stated earlier, high-risk animals typically live in moist, wet, and/or humid areas.

In addition to worm screening, it’s also a good idea to keep the animal clean and well groomed. You should also dispose of animal feces immediately. Never leave it lying around in piles. If you notice any of the symptoms of parasites/worms listed above, please contact a veterinarian immediately.