News & Reviews
ADGA Linear Appraisal Changes:
Owners participating in ADGA’s linear appraisal program will want to take note of new changes that may
affect them. At the convention in October, the Board of Directors voted to change the way Young Stock
is included. Both buck and doe kids must now be four months old to be appraised (previously two
months). They must also be registered now, in addition to tattooed. This may affect the numbers used to
reach the minimum stop requirements of sixteen head appraised.
FDA Sends Warning Letter to Distributor of Toltrazuril:
Toltrazuril has become a popular product, due to it reduced frequency in treatments and improved
efficacy, in the prevention of coccidiosis in goats. Recently the distributor, Horse Prerace, has been issued
a warning letter over distributing toltrazuril and other products which have not been approved and
authorized by the FDA for use in the US.
New Hope as First New Antibiotic in 30 Years Discovered:
Researchers at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, have discovered a new antibiotic,
teixobactin, the first new antibiotic in 30 years. Scientists are guardedly optimistic that this heralds the
breakthrough needed to prevent complete resistance to our current antibiotics. They believe that
teixobactin will be effective for perhaps as long as 30 years as it has multiple modes of attack. Research
continues to learn more about the new class of drugs that will follow on the heels of the discovery of
teixobactin. Any news of new antibiotic development is good news for livestock producers!
BOOK REVIEW – Darla O’Neill
Keeping Livestock Healthy: A Veterinary Guide to Horses, Cattle, Pigs, Goats & Sheep
By N. Bruce Haynes, DVM, Storey Communications, 344 pages
My personal copy is a little soiled from one too many trips to the barn. I highly recommend this
book. Though the goat once again gets minimal information specific to caprines, the diagnostic
information is arranged clearly and easily accessible in charts. These charts include deficiencies and
their symptoms as well as infectious diseases organized by diseases characterized by fever and diseases
characterized by diarrhea.
There are separate chapters for diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, yeasts/molds/fungi, and
protozoa. Additionally there is good, basic info on parasitism and metabolic diseases. Basic enough
to use as a primer but solid info that is still useful even after one becomes experienced with goats.
FEB 2015 5