(Biosecurity is defined as security from exposure to harmful biological agents and measures taken to ensure this security. Farm biosecurity is a set of policies and procedures implemented to protect a farm and its livestock from the introduction and spread of pests and diseases.
Red House Dairy Goats invests significantly in a number of biosecurity efforts to develop and maintain a high level of health in our dairy goats. Routine testing, vaccinations, deworming treatments, and other preventative treatments are implemented as part of our herd management plan.
Visitors
Our farm is considered a closed farm. We do not allow animals or people to visit the farm without specific permission granted. If a visit is granted we will expect visitors to abide by our our biosecurity processes and policies. Hand washing, foot baths, and or wearing of personal protection equipment such as disposable booties may be required.
CAE, CL, & Johne's
Our herd management program implements routine testing for CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis), CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis), & Johne's Disease.
Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) virus is a member of the small ruminant lentiviruses (also includes ovine progressive pneumonia, or OPP, of sheep), which may lead to chronic disease of the joints, and on rare occasions, encephalitis in goat kids less than six months of age. (Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab, Washington State University)
Caseous lymphadenitis (CL) is a chronic, contagious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The disease is characterized by abscess formation in or near major peripheral lymph nodes (external form) or within internal organs and lymph nodes (internal form). (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Johne’s disease is a fatal gastrointestinal disease of goats and other ruminants (including cattle, sheep, elk, deer, and bison) that is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Also known as paratuberculosis, this infection is contagious. (American Dairy Goat Association)
Coccidiosis
Red House Dairy Goats administers Toltrazuril 5% as a prevenative treatment for coccidiosis to all kids at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 9 weeks.
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease affecting a variety of animals, especially mammals and birds. The causative organism is a microscopic, spore-forming, single-cell protozoa called coccidia. Coccidia are from the same class of organisms (sporozoa) that cause malaria. Coccidia are sub-classified into many genera. In sheep and goats, coccidiosis is caused by the genus Eimeria. (Maryland Small Ruminant Page)
Deworming
Deworming is done on an individual needs basis based on assessment of each goat. We are certified (see .pdf below for our certification) and utilize FAMACHA© scoring for haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worms) as well as utilize FEC (fecal egg counts), body condition, and overall heath assessment. Given the prevalence of drug resistant parasites we work to utilize a number of management practices as part of our overall integrated parasitic control program. We do not routinely deworm all of our herd nor do we regularly rotate our dewormer medications. We do use Valbezan Broad Spectrum Dewormer at weening of our kids. Valbezan aids in the removal of liver flukes, tapeworms, stomach worms, intestinal worms and lungworms. Special attention is given to kids, lactating does, and any other potentially compromised animal. For more information on deworming small ruminants you can visit American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (www.acsrpc.org).
Vaccinations
We vaccinate all of our goats for CD&T at disbudding or 5 weeks, a booster at 8 weeks and at 6 months. We then vaccinate our herd annually. Additional CD&T vaccinations are given when a goat is brought to the farm without a known vaccination history or when additional treatments are deemed necessary by a veterinarian.
Enterotoxemia, or overeating disease, is a major cause of death of kids from shortly after birth through the entire feeding period. It is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium perfringens. It is characterized by acute indigestion, convulsions and other nervous system signs such as colic and sudden death. It commonly affects single kids, nursing dams that are heavy milkers. With proper feeding, management, and immunization, the disease can be controlled. Tetanus is a common, fatal disease and goats caused by a bacterium known as Clostridium tetani. Common symptoms are muscle stiffness and spasms, bloat, panic, uncoordinated walking, and/or the inability to eat and drink. It is sometimes referred to as lockjaw. Death is inevitable, usually about three or four days after symptoms appear.
Clostridial diseases are often fatal and strike ruminant livestock suddenly, often causing a mysterious death without any clinical signs. The clostridia bacteria are widespread in the environment. They are normally found in the soil and manure. They are also present in the digestive tract and tissues of healthy animals. For these reasons, vaccination is the best way to prevent disease outbreaks. CD&T vaccination helps to protect healthy goats against Clostridium perfringens type C and D (overeating disease) and Clostridium tetani (tetanus). (Michigan State University Extension)
Mastitis
Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland (udder). It can be caused by physical injury or stress or by bacteria which invade the mammary gland. The bacteria which are known to cause mastitis in cows, sheep and goats are Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Pasteurella sp., and coliforms, such as E. coli. (Maryland Small Rumenant Page https://www.sheepandgoat.com/mastitis)
Prevention in the form of good animal and housing hygiene is the key to maintain mastitis free does. We take extra care to provide clean, dry bedding for our does. Every doe on our milk stand has their udder and teats inspected and thoroughly washed before milking. We use Fight Bac, an aerosol teat disinfectant, on our does after every milking in our effort to prevent mastitis. In the event of suspected mastitis we use a California Mastitis Test to estimate the somatic cell count range as a leading indicator of mastitis and treat accordingly.
Red House Dairy Goats invests significantly in a number of biosecurity efforts to develop and maintain a high level of health in our dairy goats. Routine testing, vaccinations, deworming treatments, and other preventative treatments are implemented as part of our herd management plan.
Visitors
Our farm is considered a closed farm. We do not allow animals or people to visit the farm without specific permission granted. If a visit is granted we will expect visitors to abide by our our biosecurity processes and policies. Hand washing, foot baths, and or wearing of personal protection equipment such as disposable booties may be required.
CAE, CL, & Johne's
Our herd management program implements routine testing for CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis), CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis), & Johne's Disease.
Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) virus is a member of the small ruminant lentiviruses (also includes ovine progressive pneumonia, or OPP, of sheep), which may lead to chronic disease of the joints, and on rare occasions, encephalitis in goat kids less than six months of age. (Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab, Washington State University)
Caseous lymphadenitis (CL) is a chronic, contagious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The disease is characterized by abscess formation in or near major peripheral lymph nodes (external form) or within internal organs and lymph nodes (internal form). (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Johne’s disease is a fatal gastrointestinal disease of goats and other ruminants (including cattle, sheep, elk, deer, and bison) that is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Also known as paratuberculosis, this infection is contagious. (American Dairy Goat Association)
Coccidiosis
Red House Dairy Goats administers Toltrazuril 5% as a prevenative treatment for coccidiosis to all kids at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 9 weeks.
Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease affecting a variety of animals, especially mammals and birds. The causative organism is a microscopic, spore-forming, single-cell protozoa called coccidia. Coccidia are from the same class of organisms (sporozoa) that cause malaria. Coccidia are sub-classified into many genera. In sheep and goats, coccidiosis is caused by the genus Eimeria. (Maryland Small Ruminant Page)
Deworming
Deworming is done on an individual needs basis based on assessment of each goat. We are certified (see .pdf below for our certification) and utilize FAMACHA© scoring for haemonchus contortus (barber's pole worms) as well as utilize FEC (fecal egg counts), body condition, and overall heath assessment. Given the prevalence of drug resistant parasites we work to utilize a number of management practices as part of our overall integrated parasitic control program. We do not routinely deworm all of our herd nor do we regularly rotate our dewormer medications. We do use Valbezan Broad Spectrum Dewormer at weening of our kids. Valbezan aids in the removal of liver flukes, tapeworms, stomach worms, intestinal worms and lungworms. Special attention is given to kids, lactating does, and any other potentially compromised animal. For more information on deworming small ruminants you can visit American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (www.acsrpc.org).
Vaccinations
We vaccinate all of our goats for CD&T at disbudding or 5 weeks, a booster at 8 weeks and at 6 months. We then vaccinate our herd annually. Additional CD&T vaccinations are given when a goat is brought to the farm without a known vaccination history or when additional treatments are deemed necessary by a veterinarian.
Enterotoxemia, or overeating disease, is a major cause of death of kids from shortly after birth through the entire feeding period. It is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium perfringens. It is characterized by acute indigestion, convulsions and other nervous system signs such as colic and sudden death. It commonly affects single kids, nursing dams that are heavy milkers. With proper feeding, management, and immunization, the disease can be controlled. Tetanus is a common, fatal disease and goats caused by a bacterium known as Clostridium tetani. Common symptoms are muscle stiffness and spasms, bloat, panic, uncoordinated walking, and/or the inability to eat and drink. It is sometimes referred to as lockjaw. Death is inevitable, usually about three or four days after symptoms appear.
Clostridial diseases are often fatal and strike ruminant livestock suddenly, often causing a mysterious death without any clinical signs. The clostridia bacteria are widespread in the environment. They are normally found in the soil and manure. They are also present in the digestive tract and tissues of healthy animals. For these reasons, vaccination is the best way to prevent disease outbreaks. CD&T vaccination helps to protect healthy goats against Clostridium perfringens type C and D (overeating disease) and Clostridium tetani (tetanus). (Michigan State University Extension)
Mastitis
Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland (udder). It can be caused by physical injury or stress or by bacteria which invade the mammary gland. The bacteria which are known to cause mastitis in cows, sheep and goats are Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Pasteurella sp., and coliforms, such as E. coli. (Maryland Small Rumenant Page https://www.sheepandgoat.com/mastitis)
Prevention in the form of good animal and housing hygiene is the key to maintain mastitis free does. We take extra care to provide clean, dry bedding for our does. Every doe on our milk stand has their udder and teats inspected and thoroughly washed before milking. We use Fight Bac, an aerosol teat disinfectant, on our does after every milking in our effort to prevent mastitis. In the event of suspected mastitis we use a California Mastitis Test to estimate the somatic cell count range as a leading indicator of mastitis and treat accordingly.
| FAMACHA Certificate of Competence |
