This occurs infrequently but is very distressing to both the owner and the goat. Occasionally, it follows disbudding and is more likely to occur with rubber band castration, than any other method. If the risk is considered to be high, then kids should receive 150 units of tetanus antitoxin at the time of disbudding and castration. This will give temporary protection. For complete protection, vaccinate the kids with 2 doses of tetanus toxoid starting three weeks after the initial dose of the tetanus antitoxin.
Ear mites are quite common in kids if the adults are infected.
When they scratch their ears and shake their heads at an early age, they should be examined and treated with a miticide. The infected ears often show a scaly, grayish material in the ear canal. The mites can be seen easily when the material is examined with a magnifying glass on a piece of black cloth. When kids scratch and rub themselves, they should be examined carefully for lice. All goats should be checked periodically, especially in late winter.