Dairy goats can become ill for a variety of reasons. You should call your vet if you are not sure what is wrong with your goat. If your goat is droopy, or if it acts like it has a stomach ache, and you think maybe it ate something poisonous, you can give it was is called goop. Mix 1/4 tsp powdered ginger (this stimulates the appetite), 1-1/2 tsp Epsom salt or 1 tsp baking soda, and
1-2 TBSP yogurt. Stir all of the ingredients together, then drench it into the left side of the goat's mouth. Keep the goat's head level so it won't go into the lungs. You can use this instead of Probios which you can purchase at feed stores. Don't give it to them in one gulp, but let them slowly take it in, and make sure you hear them swallow.

If your dairy goat has to be given antibiotics for any reason, make sure you ask your vet how long you have to wait before it is safe to drink her milk again.

As a dairy goat owner, you will most likely see many types of diseases, illness, cuts, etc. in your goats. If you are not experienced, it is best to call your vet. One of our young does got pneumonia from the spring weather changing from freezing to warm and back again over a few weeks' period. She was coughing a lot over a few days' period, so we took her to the vet. Second-guessing what is wrong with them and trying to treat them on your own might lead to their death. On the other hand, sometimes goats get minor malaises just like humans do, which last a day or two, and then they feel better. Watch your goats, know your goats, and find a good vet who knows about dairy goats.

Some tips on keeping goats free of disease :

A product called "Sevin" can be used to treat lice. Put it on the goat from head to tail, and then stoke the hair in the opposite direction.

If the goat's skin is very dry, use olive oil.

A stethescope can be purchased at a drug store. It's good to have around to listen to your goat's rumen.

Putting a little bit of apple cider vinegar on their grain while you are milking them helps prevent mastitis.

Grapefruit seed extract, a natural antibiotic, can be given to your goats when they are sick.

When they have a runny nose or a cold, they can lick vitamin C powder from your hand.

Give them cod liver oil and vitamin A when they are sick.

There is a pecking order among goats, as in other animals, and one of our does gets bullied around.  Recently she had blood in her milk.  It was probably due to another doe injuring a blood vessel in her udder.  We used the California Mastitis Test just to make sure she didn’t have mastitis. She didn't, and in a few days, there was no more blood in her milk.

Here are some books to learn about diseases treatments in goats:

Goat Health Care by Cheryl K. Smith

Your Goats - A Kid's Guide to Raising and Showing by Gail Damerow

Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats by Jerry Belanger

Natural Goat Care by Pat Coleby

Diseases of the Goat by John G. Matthews

All About Goats by Lois Hetherington and John G. Matthews