Problems with worms

[Crystal Swindell]

It has been so wet here in eastern NC.  I would even call it soggy.  We have had several inches of rain in the course of a couple of days.  We saw this type of soaking about a month ago as well.  I have noticed- both times- that worms (tiny, white ones) have shown shown up in the stool of the goats.

 

Is this normal after such a rainfall?  I know that I need to treat it as

soon as I notice it.

 

The first time I noticed worms after the soggy weather, I did a 3 day treatment with Safeguard and the problem went away.  Since I noticed worms again yestarday, I have started that cycle again.
Is this the right treatment? 

Should I be doing something else?  

All 3 of my wethers are eating, active, and maintaining their size.  None of them are showing scours, but I have noticed some tiny white worms in their stool.

I appreciate any advice that you can offer.

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

I get my DE from a Fertrell dealer. You can find a dealer by visiting their website, http://www.fertrell.com Note that you have to page down after the search, because there is a lot of white space under the zip code search box. The down side is that they only sell 50# bags, I think. You can also use DE in your garden to kill tomato horn worms and other soft-sided insects, if you garden. Also, it lasts forever since it's not a chemical. Here's the page on DE:
http://www.fertrell.com/diatomaceousearth.htm

Deborah

Crystal Swindell said:

I will def. treat with something for mites. Can I get the food grade DE from either TS or Hoeggers?

[Crystal Swindell]

I will def. treat with something for mites. Can I get the food grade DE from either TS or Hoeggers? Mary thank you for sharing what you use.
The goat house stays dry and is about 2 feet off of the ground, which helps keep them off of the ground and away from the critters in the soil.
I REALLY appreciate all of the helpful advice that you offer. I am a newbie who is anxious to learn.

[Mary Colman]

I agree a treatment like Safeguard is a good treatment. The real wet soggy enviroment is not helping at all. Its dry in their sleeping quarters right? Also try to clean up if you can contaminated areas where you see the worms.
I spray them for fleas and mites and I will send you the name of what I use after I check in the barn. can't think of it.

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

Those are tape worms, and yes three days of Safeguard is a good treatment. They come from mites, so if you don't get rid of the mites, the goats will just get reinfected. (Similar to tapes in dogs, which get them from fleas; tape worms need an intermediary host.) I usually use an ivermectin pour-on that's labeled for cattle, but I've heard there are also powders you can use. Since I've noticed that lice and mites very predictably get on my goats in winter here (Illinois), this year, I'm attempting to see if I can be pro-active and have dusted them all with diatomaceous earth (DE), which is completely natural and not a poison. It kills soft-sided insects by puncturing/stabbing their bodies. If you want to try it, you would need to get the food-grade DE, not the stuff they use in swimming pool filters.