Natural Parasite Control for Animals

For the last 14 years I have raised Nigerian Dwarf Goats. One of the many types of parasites that goats are prone to are called Coccidea. Coccidea is a Protozoa. It can make your animals very sick. Signs of Coccidea infestation can include: Bloody Smelly diarrhea that can have a pudding like consistancy, anemia and death. Once you have coccidea on your property, it will always be there. It gets into the ground and likes wet conditions. Goats, sheep, cows, chickens, llamas, aplacas,cat and dogs just to name a few can get coccidea. The best way to find out if your animal has coccidea or any other parasite, is to take a fresh fecal sample to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can run a simple test on the fecal sample and let you know what kind of parasites your animal are carrying. I use all natural methods of parasite control. One of my favorite methods is to use something called Diatomaceous Earth or DE. De is a powder made from fossilized, microscopic one celled plants that are ground up. De removes existing worms and eggs and prevents reinfestation by scouring the intestines, irritating and damaging the parasites soft bodies. Researchers noticed that the animals fed DE were in better health than those fed a normal diet and in subsequent tests, young DE fed animals gained weight faster than control animals and had fewer problems with intestinal parasites. Researchers have also found that when added to a cat's food DE helps prevent hairballs. DE can also be added to pastures, bedding and gently rubbed into your pets fur. While DE is considered a safe addition to livestock grain and other dry foods, there has been some talk about a recent warning of lung damaged caused by inhailing this powder. DE should be handled carefully and gently stirred into wet food or a small amout of water can be sprayed onto dry food. Thus keeping the DE from being inhailed. Historically DE has been used for all parasite. There are several different types of diatomaceous earth that is sold in the US. If you would like to try DE on your animals, make sure that you buy a FOOD GRADE. Do not use any other types. Other types may contain chemicals that could be fatal. DE has also been used around houses and in the garden to keep away insects. Please remeber any of the above information is NOT to replace a veterinarians care. THe Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the above statments. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.