Dry, Crusty and Patches of Hair loss? Help!

1089 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by 21goaties, Mar 18, 2022

MSTP

Discussion Starter · Mar 16, 2022 (Edited)

We have 3 Nigerians (Siblings) Turning 4 yrs. a Wether and two does. The male (Bob) along with one of the doe's (Gargo) are having a skin issue, not sure what's happening but very dry/crusty and patches of Hair loss. We don't see any visual signs of Lice. Could it be Mites or Mineral deficiency? Have also witnessed them pulling each other's fur out. I included some pictures. So far this week we only tried Python Dust and added Top Dress Zin Pro. Also been adding vitamin E to their grains.

Their diet consists of Hay, Dumor Sweet Feed, free Baking Soda & Manpro Minerals. Any thoughts?

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happybleats

· #2 · Mar 16, 2022

Could be mites. Hard to see but if skin is red raw and angry and crusty ? Then mites most likely. Ivomec injectable 1 cc per 40 # sub q once a week for 3 weeks and nustock topically can help.
As for the diet...sweet feed and free choice baking soda is not great for any of them, but especially the wether. If feed is needed try a good 14% pellet along with some alfalfa. Baking soda should only be given in times of need..not free choice. Goats make their own barcarbinate when chewing a cud.

Best wishes

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21goaties

· #3 · Mar 16, 2022

Yep, take away the free choice baking soda. If you see scabs then treat for mites. How much sweet feed are they getting per day? What type of hay do they get?

@NigerianDwarfOwner707 do the Mannapro minerals have the proper zinc to copper ratio?

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MSTP

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 16, 2022

happybleats said:
Could be mites. Hard to see but if skin is red raw and angry and crusty ? Then mites most likely. Ivomec injectable 1 cc per 40 # sub q once a week for 3 weeks and nustock topically can help.
As for the diet...sweet feed and free choice baking soda is not great for any of them, but especially the wether. If feed is needed try a good 14% pellet along with some alfalfa. Baking soda should only be given in times of need..not free choice. Goats make their own barcarbinate when chewing a cud.

Best wishes

Thank you for replying, Their skin is mostly just crusty and dry with hair loss, Our third goat has no issues at all. From all i been reading up on, Ivermectin seems to be recommended. The process of injection would be new to us, as we are eager to learn independently to care for our goats. Is Ivermectin the same as the cattle/swine ivermectin you see on Amazon?

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MSTP

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 16, 2022

21goaties said:
Yep, take away the free choice baking soda. If you see scabs then treat for mites. How much sweet feed are they getting per day? What type of hay do they get?

@NigerianDwarfOwner707 do the Mannapro minerals have the proper zinc to copper ratio?

Thank you for replying. They are just dry and crusty, but not really any scabbing. They rarely touch the Baking soda, but will take the advice on limiting free choice. We live in N.H. and generally just 1st cut Hay from a local farm. Not sure on the ratio of Mannapro, but they seem to be going through it more lately. Would there be a certain ratio i should be looking for, I also added Top Dress Zin Pro this week.

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happybleats

· #6 · Mar 16, 2022

Yes ivomectin is for cattle. Sadly there are not many medications specific to goats sp we use alot for cattle. Pigs and sheep. Generic brands are fine. Just be sure its a ivomectin.
Ivomectin does sting. To help it sting less..pick up a nice big tent of skin.. push the needle in and inject slowly. Hold that tent up the whole time....jiggle the skin tent a bit before letting go. It help distribute the ivomectin a little and decreases its sting. Some goat don't even notice the sting while other can be quite the drama queens. Just know its for a few seconds and should be over.

Best wishes

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NigerianDwarfOwner707

· #7 · Mar 16, 2022

Yes the ratio is fine but the numbers are still too low so zinc deficiency is very common while on Manna Pro as is copper deficiency. And of course the selenium is still scarily low.

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NigerianDwarfOwner707

· #8 · Mar 16, 2022

Agreed looks very much like mites to me.

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toth boer goats

· #9 · Mar 16, 2022

I too agree.

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MSTP

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 17, 2022

Thank you all for the replies, going to administer ivermectin injectable this weekend. I see the recommended dosage is 1 cc per 40 # sub q once a week for 3 weeks.

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MSTP

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 18, 2022

I have another question, if anybody knows why our goats bite and pull each other's fur out and eat it?

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21goaties

· #12 · Mar 18, 2022

That's why I asked about the minerals because zinc deficiency can cause them to eat each others hair.

Is it warming up where you are? If so then part of it is that they are shedding their winter coats.

Here's some more info: www.facebook.com/notes/goat-vet-corner-only-veterinarians-comment/flakey-skin-hair-loss-irritated-skin/2401784646734603/

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