Treating Deer Worm Infection in Goats

No controlled studies have determined the best treatment for goats and sheep infected with meningeal deer worm. We know more about deer worm in llamas and alpacas (camelids) than in goats or sheep. The recommended method for treating deer worm infection in goats and sheep therefore derives mainly from studying and treating camelids.

The key to successfully treating a goat is to start as soon as signs of deer worm infection first appear. When in doubt, I’d rather immediately start treatment than wait until I feel more certain the goat truly has deer worm infection.

Treatment Protocol

Here is how I successfully treated two of my Nubians with deer worm infection. This protocol has been verified by several veterinarians who are knowledgeable about treating deer worm infection in goats.

• Fenbendazole (Panacur or Safeguard) — given by mouth once a day at the rate of 25 ml per 100 pound body weight for 5 days. The purpose is to kill deer worm in the spinal cord.

• Vitamin E — given by mouth at the rate of 500 to 1000 units once a day for 14 days. The purpose is to help restore normal neuromuscular function.

• Dexamethasone — (a corticosteroid requiring a prescription) given as directed by the prescribing veterinarian. The purpose is to reduce inflammation in the central nervous system.

Migration of deer worm larvae into the central nervous system causes inflammation. So does the presence of dead larvae killed during treatment. An anti-inflammatory therefore is important to reduce pain and to prevent the animal’s condition from getting worse. However, dexamethasone may induce abortion in pregnant does or ewes. An alternative for pregnant females is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory prescription drug flunixin (Banamine).

Recovery Period

Additional to treatment with drugs, the affected animal may also require physical therapy to help restore muscle function. Therapy might include muscle massages and flexing of the limbs to improve flexibility. Also important is encouraging the animal to move around and making sure it doesn’t rest in one position for long periods.

Despite this recommended regimen, treatment doesn’t always work. Whether or not an infected animal recovers, or survives at all, depends on how many larvae it ingested and the severity of its condition before treatment begins.

The best chance for success is to start treatment early in the course of the infection. A goat that can stand on its own when treatment begins has a much better chance to recover. Once the disease progresses to the point that the goat can no longer stand, it has little chance for survival.

A seriously affected animal may take weeks or months to recover, requiring a great deal of patience and perseverance. Although a survivor may have permanent neurologic issues, it may still remain otherwise healthy and productive.

Meat Goats & Sheep

According to Mary C. Smith, DVM, of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine: Because of the long meat withdrawal periods for the treatments used, with no certainty that the animal will improve, slaughter for human (or farm dog) consumption may be the correct economical choice for meat goats and sheep.

Dr. Smith suggests this option for a goat or sheep with only spinal cord, not brain, signs. And the animal must be observed for a week or more to be sure it does not have rabies. (Rabies is extremely rare in goats and sheep, and typically results in death within five days.) A veterinarian should be involved to determine that the signs are limited to those of spinal cord injury and that the goat has no other diseases.