Anemia in Goats: Treatment & Recovery

If you’re a goat owner, you probably know this feeling: a routine check of eyelid color turns into an emergency situation when you pull the lid down and it reveals a pale, unhealthy color; or worse, the lid is white!

FAMACHA scoring is the scoring of the color of inner eyelids to gauge the worm-load and health of a goat. Bright pink and red will tell you that your goat is healthy and not anemic, and pale pink or white will tell you that your goat is anemic and needs immediate treatment. But, what can you do help your goat when he or she is severely anemic? Read on to find out!

Regularly score your goats’ eyelids. It is good practice to check them weekly. I highly recommend you watch this helpful video made by the University of Rhode Island. In the video, the proper “cover, push, pull, pop” method is demonstrated to reveal the true color of the mucus membranes. As a Certified FAMACHA Instructor, please reach out if you have any questions regarding the process or scores.

Photo Curtsey of URI.

Alright, while checking a goat, you see that a FAMACHA score is poor. What is the first thing you do?

Okay—I forgot for a moment this is a blog post and you can’t reply…my answer is: make sure the goat is stable! While a poor FAMACHA score is an indication that your goat needs to be treated for parasites (specifically, Barberpole worm), white eyelids can lead to a goat going down very quickly! I always recommend starting supportive measures as soon as possible, from hydration to ensuring the goat has access to high protein feed and alfalfa (express caution for male goats, but understand that this extra protein is vital for recovery nonetheless). Goat electrolytes can be offered (or drenched if the goat is not drinking) and will provide a helpful balancing boost. Other sources of nutrition such as cut (goat safe) branches, pine, and (goat safe) vines are also very nourishing.

When eyelids go past borderline “safe” color, iron and B Vitamins are imperative for recovery. The B Vitamin aspect is simple, use Injectable Fortified Vitamin B Complex at 1cc per 20lbs SubQ once or twice daily. When it comes to iron, research has indicated that oral iron supplements don’t have a huge impact on anemia recovery. With that being said, I feel that equine Red Cell liquid does offer some support and I have used it as a component of recovery (6cc per 100lb, orally once daily for 1 week, and then once weekly thereafter). However, Injectable Iron has demonstrated far more benefit. This product, however, is known for causing anaphylactic reactions in rare situations, and should only be given if you have epinephrine, an epi pen, or at least high doses of Benadryl on hand. Of course, working with a vet who can be present with epinephrine for the first shot is ideal.

Injectable Pig Iron – 100mg/ml concentration) – 4cc per 100lbs SubQ. For severe cases only. Use once daily for 2-3 days straight, then once weekly thereafter, stopping once eyelids are borderline safe.

Unfortunately, iron supplementation alone is often not enough once a goat has gone severely anemic. If a goat’s eyelids are completely white, consulting a vet about a blood transfusion is a viable option. Though it is not an immediate life saving guarantee, it does often buy the goat more tim for a recovery.

I highly recommend a daily dosage of 30cc of raw organic Apple Cider Vinegar and water (50/50 dilution) in a drench. This has aided in the recovery of anemia and is a wonderful support for the goat’s digestive system. The addition of 1-2 drops of DoTerra Brand (high quality food grade ONLY) Lemon Essential Oil may also help in the support and recovery process.

If a goat is down, and not eating well, a “super nutrition smoothie” is a great way to support them. Carrots, celery, kelp, dark greens, alfalfa, parsley, and wheatgrass with molasses, and some water so you can drench it easily.

In my DIY Herbal Remedies for Goats eBook, (click HERE to get it), you can use my Blood Builder formula recipe to supercharge your anemia treatment regimen, using a homemade herbal blend that you can make right in your kitchen.

Some garlic and Probios won’t hurt either!

Recently, the use of liquid chlorophyll has been suggested to be a helpful anemia tool. Though I do not feel it is paramount, it does seem to be safe and therefore I have no issue adding it to a recovery regimen.

If the goat is severely underweight and still having trouble eating without the nutritional smoothies, Dyne High Calorie liquid can aid in providing much needed calories for the body during this time.

REMEMBER: make sure to TREAT the problem itself! I highly recommend getting a fecal done to analyze your worm-load, but in an emergency situation, it’s important to treat the parasites quickly. Consult a vet and mentor to determine what the best dewormer is for the situation.

LAST NOTE: There are other reasons (such as certain mineral deficiencies, or other parasites) for mild anemia that are NOT Barberpole worm—and that is why fecal tests are very important!

DISCLAIMER: I am not a vet, nor am I a licensed professional. I am in no way a “goat expert” and my opinions are only that of personal experiences, and my insights shared are not medical treatment suggestions, care suggestions, or any directions for raising goats at all. I am simply sharing my own personal opinions. Any and all changes to your goats’ health regimen, care, etc. should be approved by a veterinary professional or licensed professional. I also believe that every goat owner has their own way of doing things, so just as my opinions are my own, and cannot apply to anyone else, your opinions are also regarding your individual goats, and I welcome you to share them in a kind, constructive manner. Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon Affiliate Links, from which I will earn a commission.