Hi Everyone,
I should start by saying I am in New Zealand - so we don't have some of the more nasty sounding illnesses that goats in the USA can be afflicted with. But my goat has suddenly become quite ill and even the vet doesn't know what to try. We are thinking of euthanising him
I would really appreciate some advice, especially if anyone has seen something similar.
I have a boer goat, about 6 yrs old, The goat became lame about 9 days ago, the vet came out to see him and thought that he may have infected sores on his feet. He administered a penicillin shot, and we were instructed to give 3 more shots (2-3 days apart), and spray his feet with a tetracycline spray. We have continued to do that for the last week, however the goat is now off his food, he doesn't show any signs of improvement and the sores that were limited to his feet are now more widespread (near his eye, nose/mouth and all over his skin). The vet has been out to see him today and has not seen a condition like this before, the goat is shivering, doesn't want to bear weight on his hind legs and has widespread scabs on his skin.
The vet suspects there may be some systemic infection - or organ failure. I wish I could do something to help him. THe vet gave another antibiotic shot today (amoxycillian) and a steriod injection. He perked up a bit and had a drink and something to eat - but I presume this is just hte steriods?
He lives in a paddock with two sheep, and has grass and livestock pellets as food. Same paddock-mates and food for the last 7 months or so. For the past week we have been supplementing with hay, carrots, brussel sprouts and bread. We have never given minerals to the goat, and the soil in NZ is selenium deficient.
Sorry for the long post, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I should start by saying I am in New Zealand - so we don't have some of the more nasty sounding illnesses that goats in the USA can be afflicted with. But my goat has suddenly become quite ill and even the vet doesn't know what to try. We are thinking of euthanising him
I have a boer goat, about 6 yrs old, The goat became lame about 9 days ago, the vet came out to see him and thought that he may have infected sores on his feet. He administered a penicillin shot, and we were instructed to give 3 more shots (2-3 days apart), and spray his feet with a tetracycline spray. We have continued to do that for the last week, however the goat is now off his food, he doesn't show any signs of improvement and the sores that were limited to his feet are now more widespread (near his eye, nose/mouth and all over his skin). The vet has been out to see him today and has not seen a condition like this before, the goat is shivering, doesn't want to bear weight on his hind legs and has widespread scabs on his skin.
The vet suspects there may be some systemic infection - or organ failure. I wish I could do something to help him. THe vet gave another antibiotic shot today (amoxycillian) and a steriod injection. He perked up a bit and had a drink and something to eat - but I presume this is just hte steriods?
He lives in a paddock with two sheep, and has grass and livestock pellets as food. Same paddock-mates and food for the last 7 months or so. For the past week we have been supplementing with hay, carrots, brussel sprouts and bread. We have never given minerals to the goat, and the soil in NZ is selenium deficient.
Sorry for the long post, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.