Itchy Goats ~ In milk ~ What is safe?

[Reptigirl]

Hi!

I have 2 Nigerian Dwarf Goats in milk. We are milking them and drinking the milk. I have noticed they seem to be getting "itchy" and there hair seems a little dry/brittle. They are scratching with there horns, rubbing on the trees & rubbing on the fences. Doesn't seem to be any spot specific. I did find 2 fleas on them but that was it. I don't see anything else on them but was thinking about bathing them today to see if I can get a better look.

Any suggestions flea/tick/lice medications I use on them. Is it safe while we are drinking the mlik? If not what are the throw away times for the milk?

Thanks!

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Where are you located?

Are they shedding? Here it is spring and they are losing their winter coats. Mine have been rubbing all over the fence, trees, barn, everything. I have horses, so i have a shedding blade. I use it on the goats also. The goats are in heaven, they just stand there and love it.

They are pretty much done shedding now.

 

[helmstead]

Goats don't really get fleas...so you probably saw lice. Those are incredibly itchy. I treat lice with Ivermec, and toss the milk for 4-5 days after treatment. There are plenty of threads on here about lice treatments.

 

[ksalvagno]

You can always get a livestock dust and dust them.

 

[Reptigirl]

Well whatever I saw was VERY tiny, round & black. Almost like a baby flea but it seemed to run instead of jump. They don't seem to be shedding. Just really itchy. I am in Texas.

Is there anything safe to use and NOT toss out the milk? Just hate to waste the milk. :/

 

[phoenixmama]

Is there anything safe to use and NOT toss out the milk? Just hate to waste the milk. :/

You could try dusting them with food-grade DE...it won't work as quickly as other options, but it will kill the bugs eventually. And you wouldn't have to toss the milk. Keep in mind though...that whatever bug is on them is draining energy from them. So, you might be better off to treat them with something that will kill the bugs now...lose milk for a few days...rather than doing something that will take longer to work, leaving more time for the lice (or whatever) to take their toll on your girls, possibly setting them up for lower production. Just food for thought...

 

[ksj0225]

Sure does sound like lice.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

Well whatever I saw was VERY tiny, round & black. Almost like a baby flea but it seemed to run instead of jump. They don't seem to be shedding. Just really itchy. I am in Texas.

Is there anything safe to use and NOT toss out the milk? Just hate to waste the milk. :/

I suggest Y-Tex Python Dust (TSC carries it)... it has the EPAs safest rating, and has NO withdrawl time. As long as you dust in a WELL ventilated area(like outside) you won't need to use a mask... but I do reccommend using gloves as suggested on the packaging, otherwise you will end up with a rash.

Edited to Add: all the critters in my herd's coats were dead within 24 hrs!

 

[phoenixmama]

Well whatever I saw was VERY tiny, round & black. Almost like a baby flea but it seemed to run instead of jump. They don't seem to be shedding. Just really itchy. I am in Texas.

Is there anything safe to use and NOT toss out the milk? Just hate to waste the milk. :/

I suggest Y-Tex Python Dust (TSC carries it)... it has the EPAs safest rating, and has NO withdrawl time. As long as you dust in a WELL ventilated area(like outside) you won't need to use a mask... but I do reccommend using gloves as suggested on the packaging, otherwise you will end up with a rash.

Edited to Add: all the critters in my herd's coats were dead within 24 hrs!

I, personally, would still wear a mask. Pyrethroids are neurotoxins...and I'm a cancer survivor, so I have ZERO invincibility complex.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

Well whatever I saw was VERY tiny, round & black. Almost like a baby flea but it seemed to run instead of jump. They don't seem to be shedding. Just really itchy. I am in Texas.

Is there anything safe to use and NOT toss out the milk? Just hate to waste the milk. :/

I suggest Y-Tex Python Dust (TSC carries it)... it has the EPAs safest rating, and has NO withdrawl time. As long as you dust in a WELL ventilated area(like outside) you won't need to use a mask... but I do reccommend using gloves as suggested on the packaging, otherwise you will end up with a rash.

Edited to Add: all the critters in my herd's coats were dead within 24 hrs!

I, personally, would still wear a mask. Pyrethroids are neurotoxins...and I'm a cancer survivor, so I have ZERO invincibility complex.

I can understand your reasoning there. Better safe than sorry is a good rule to live by.