Understanding and Treating Bottle Jaw in Goats

Bottle jaw is a condition often caused by parasitic infections, particularly stomach worms (Barber Pole worms), which lead to anemia and fluid accumulation under the jaw. This guide covers how to recognize, treat, and manage bottle jaw in goats effectively.

Recognizing Bottle Jaw

1. Symptoms:
   • A soft, swollen lump under the goat’s jaw (distinctive of bottle jaw).
   • Pale or light pink eyelids (indicating anemia, determined via the Famacha scoring system).
   • Rough coat and difficulty maintaining body condition.
   • General lethargy or reduced activity.
2. Cause:
   • Typically associated with stomach worms (Barber Pole worms), which cause blood loss and anemia.
   • More common in older goats or goats with weakened immune systems.

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Treatment Plan

1. Deworming Protocol

• Combination Deworming:
  • Use two chemicals from different families to combat stomach worms effectively.
  • In this case:
    • Cydectin (Moxidectin): A pour-on cattle dewormer, but used as a drench for goats.
    • Valbazen (Albendazole): An oral drench wormer.
• Dosage & Frequency:
  • Administer both wormers on the first day.
  • Repeat every 10 days for three cycles to address the worm life cycle (eggs, larvae, adults).
• Administration Technique:
  • Use a drench gun to administer the wormers orally.
  • Be gentle to keep the goat calm during the process.

2. Addressing Anemia

• Supplement Red Blood Cell Production:
  • Use a product like Red Cell to rebuild the goat’s red blood cell count.
  • Administer according to the product guidelines or as recommended by your vet.
• Supportive Care:
  • Provide high-quality nutrition and access to mineral supplements to aid recovery.
  • Ensure access to fresh, clean water to keep the goat hydrated.

3. Monitoring Progress

• Recheck the Famacha score and observe the bottle jaw area after each treatment cycle.
• Bottle jaw may reduce temporarily after the first treatment but could return as worms cycle. Consistent treatment will eradicate them over time.

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Additional Considerations

1. Aging Goats:
   • Older goats like Noah may have weakened immunity and difficulty maintaining body condition, making them more susceptible.
   • Dental health is a factor; inspect teeth for proper wear and consider floating (filing) if chewing is impaired.
2. Herd-Wide Management:
   • Even if only one goat exhibits bottle jaw, test the entire herd for stomach worms and treat as needed to prevent reinfection.
3. Prevention:
   • Rotate pastures to reduce worm load in grazing areas.
   • Maintain pasture grass height at 4 inches or higher to prevent goats from ingesting worms on low-growing grass.
   • Regularly test and treat the herd using fecal samples to monitor parasite loads.

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Key Takeaways

1. Combination Dewormers: Use two different dewormers to target worms effectively.
2. Red Cell for Anemia: Boost red blood cell production to combat anemia caused by worm infestations.
3. Monitor Famacha & Progress: Regularly check eyelid color and bottle jaw size.
4. Supportive Nutrition: Provide high-quality feed and mineral supplements to aid recovery.
5. Preventative Practices: Rotate pastures and test the herd to control worm infestations.

By addressing bottle jaw promptly and maintaining preventative care, you can restore your goat’s health and reduce the likelihood of future parasitic infections.