[goats-n-oats]

I just don't know what to do with this poor boy. Now he started losing hair around the base of his horns, and above his nose.

He's had copper bolus, ADE, B complex, selenium, minerals. What could be causing this?

 

[FarmLife]

Maybe zinc or he is rubbing those areas on fence etc. my boys get same thing from rubbing

 

[ksalvagno]

Zinc, mites, lice or rubbing could cause it.

 

[toth boer goats]

I agree.

 

[goats-n-oats]

Zinc, mites, lice or rubbing could cause it.

What is the treatment for lice? Pour on dewormer? I have pour on ivermectin.
Also, this morning he is off his feed and quiet. Any ideas?

 

[ksalvagno]

You can use pour on Ivomec. Get a temp on him. Have you had a fecal done to include coccidia? I'd also start working on his rumen and building up his immune system.

 

[NigerianNewbie]

Ivemectrin pour on- blue liquid-treats mites/lice.
1 cc per 22 lbs along the topline. Repeat in 2 weeks
👆 Copied from Medicine Cabinet 2020

When treating for external parasites, a complete stall clean out and possibly treating the wooden areas, will be necessary during each treatment.

Lice can and will cause anemia depending on the duration and severity of the infestation. Checking FAMACHA and starting anemia treatment if needed would be a consideration.

 

[goats-n-oats]

You can use pour on Ivomec. Get a temp on him. Have you had a fecal done to include coccidia? I'd also start working on his rumen and building up his immune system.

What specifically should be done to work on his rumen and immune system? Thank you

 

[wheel-bear-o]

Unlike mites, lice are visible to the naked eye. If you part his hair you should be able to actually see them.

The hair loss around his eyes looks like zinc deficiency to me. Some goats seem to need more zinc than others - I have a wonky doe with this problem who tends toward the balding eyes/nose/topline every winter without additional supplements. I used to give her human zinc tablets, but then I learned Zinpro makes a product called z/m that is just zinc and manganese with no additional copper. One teaspoon per day fixed her. I topdress it on her grain, but you can probably get the buck to eat it out of your hand if you don't feed him grain because it smells malty. It'll turn him around in a couple weeks if this is his problem, and if zinc is not his root issue, it still won't hurt him to try it.

 

[goats-n-oats]

Unlike mites, lice are visible to the naked eye. If you part his hair you should be able to actually see them.

The hair loss around his eyes looks like zinc deficiency to me. Some goats seem to need more zinc than others - I have a wonky doe with this problem who tends toward the balding eyes/nose/topline every winter without additional supplements. I used to give her human zinc tablets, but then I learned Zinpro makes a product called z/m that is just zinc and manganese with no additional copper. One teaspoon per day fixed her. I topdress it on her grain, but you can probably get the buck to eat it out of your hand if you don't feed him grain because it smells malty. It'll turn him around in a couple weeks if this is his problem, and if zinc is not his root issue, it still won't hurt him to try it.

Ok.
His temp is 102.
He is trembling, and quiet.
I don't see any bugs, just hair loss.
FWIW, one of my rabbits also appears to have mange. I treated them both with ivermectin.
This buck had 50mg zinc a few days ago, and the hair loss appears to increase.
He was castrated two months ago.
Could the buck have a urinary blockage?

 

[MadHouse]

Watch him to see if he pees a full stream. My goats usually urinate after they have been resting.

 

[wheel-bear-o]

This buck had 50mg zinc a few days ago, and the hair loss appears to increase.
He was castrated two months ago.
Could the buck have a urinary blockage?

Zinc is not like copper, where the bolus slow releases over time. If he is having a problem from zinc deficiency, you will need to supplement him consistently and daily with extra zinc. You wouldn't see any difference from one pill.

It would be atypical for a urinary blockage to cause hair loss, but he could have a urinary blockage and zinc deficiency at the same time. Watch to make sure he is urinating appropriately - when he gets up from rest is a good time to try to catch him in the act - and make sure he is not straining, grunting or crying as he urinates. If you see him peeing comfortably, urinary calculi is probably not his problem.

 

[toth boer goats]

All have great advice.

 

[goatblessings]

Have you checked his Famacha score? If mites or lice he can loose a lot of blood supply - if he is anemic he may need some red cell to help him out.

 

[NigerianNewbie]

He was castrated two months ago.

Is there any problems going on with the testicle area since he was wethered?

Is he being housed in an isolation type setting by any chance? Is he wanting to leave the shelter and go outside or choosing to stay inside?

 

[goats-n-oats]

Is there any problems going on with the testicle area since he was wethered?

Is he being housed in an isolation type setting by any chance? Is he wanting to leave the shelter and go outside or choosing to stay inside?

He is in a corner stall 8x6 by himself, adjacent to stall with other does, with whom he interacts. He seems content there but vocalizes when I let the does out but not him. Why?
We are at the vet now, the same one who wethered him.

 

[21goaties]

He seems content there but vocalizes when I let the does out but not him. Why?

Probably because he wants to be around other goats. Goats usually crave that since they are herd animals
Does he get time outside during the day?

 

[goats-n-oats]

Probably because he wants to be around other goats. Goats usually crave that since they are herd animals
Does he get time outside during the day?

No, he has been in his stall for 3-4 months or so. He was too roudy when he was in heat to be out. He had two 'guests' in October who he bred. I could let him out now but there is construction around the barn and it's all muddy. Could this be what's making him weak?

 

[21goaties]

No, he has been in his stall for 3-4 months or so. He was too roudy when he was in heat to be out. He had two 'guests' in October who he bred. I could let him out now but there is construction around the barn and it's all muddy. Could this be what's making him weak?

I think it could, how big is the stall? Has he been getting any sun?

 

[wheel-bear-o]

I think it could, how big is the stall? Has he been getting any sun?

Oh wow, yeah, I thought he was just confined due to being ill. Goats need to live with other goats (not just adjacent to them), and they need sunshine and vitamin D just like humans do. He is probably depressed in both mood and condition from being confined alone. If you don't have another male to put with him or a second pen, you can get him a buck apron to be able to let him out with the does without him being able to breed them. whoops, I missed that he had been wethered. He can freely go out with the girls unless he's trying to hurt them.