Anemia is a condition caused by a shortage of hemoglobin or red blood cells. There are several possible causes of anemia in a goat, ranging from improper nutrition levels such as a lack of copper or iron, to certain blood-sucking parasites, liver fluke, barberpole worms or brown stomach worms. Anemia can also be caused by internal bleeding or from excessive bleeding from external wounds where significant blood loss is evident. Symptoms of anemia are most commonly characterized by a goat that is lethargic and off-feed. The membranes of the eyes are usually a tell-tale sign that anemia is evident. The membranes should be a good deep pink to red but will possibly be a rather pale pink to white. Treatment for anemia includes vitamin B12 injections, a properly balanced mineral/vitamin ration and frequent worming for blood-sucking parasites and worms. It is also believed that anemia can cause low butterfats in milk tests. Certain poisonous plants can also cause anemia in goats as the toxic properties of some plants work directly on depleting/increasing certain essentials in the blood to critical levels.

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