Hey! I am a new 'goat keeper' with 3 Pygmy goats aged 6 months old. I am having problems with my girl goat, her sysmptoms are: - very scabby skin all over apart from belly - she keeps dropping her back end as if unable to stand properly - snotty nose and eyes (eyes keep scabbing completely shut) - weight loss - rapid/unusual breathing - temperature of 41.5c - tail dropped downwards She seems to be eating & drinking fine and the 2 boy goats have nothing wrong with them. I've had the vet out twice, and after injections and a look under the microscope at her scabs, has ruled out parasite infestation saying it showed nothing. Advised bathing her every 3 days with special shampoo, and "once the scabs go she will get better." Doesn't explain the back end/weight loss/breathing etc?!? Any help would be greatly appreciated I just want my baby to get better!! I am based in Yorkshire in the UK.
Not particularly, and the boys are both castrated so don't really show interest. I have a crystalyx small holder block out for them.
When I converted the temp, it said 106.7. That is a pretty high fever. She needs meds to bring that down and probably an antibiotic. It sounds like she might have a mineral deficiency as well. What medicines do you have access to?
She's been given antibiotics and pain relief and can't have any more for 10 days now according to vet. And not that much, a lot are restricted/have to bought and shipped in from the US.
Skin problems that are proven to not be from parasites are usually a deficiency from copper, selenium and/or zinc.
I do agree. Sorry for all the questions but I need to know more about her. It could be so many things. How long ago was she on antibiotics when was the last day? What kind was given, how much and was it daily or? If her temp is indeed 106.7, she needs a different antibiotic because the one given, didn't work for her.She will need banamine too. Any discharge from her vulva, smelly or odd color? Uterine infection? Is she peeing OK, is it colored strange? Straining to pee? Urinary infection? Do you have white tail deer in your area? Meningeal worm with paralysis comes to mind too, with weak rear end along with selenium and other deficiencies are possible. Cocci though too, can make them have a belly ache, weight loss without scouring. Can you get a fecal for worms and cocci? How is her inner lower eyelid coloring? If she is clear from mites, that rules that out for scab issues.
A temp range I'm comfortable with is Fahrenheit 101.5 to 103. I'll find a Celsius translation toute suite. Is your vet familiar with the extremely vital sheep and wool industry? If so, ask him if he would be so casual with a fever of over 4 degrees F in a ewe? I'll bet that would wake him up. Bad scabs are symptoms, not causes. James Herriot is rolling in his grave... I'm so very sorry, for you and your girl. We'll help all we can from so far away. Off to find that calculator now.
How is her temp today and her eyes? I would think about pneumonia or a respiratory infection. Do you at least have vitamin c and vitamin b that you can give her?
What kinds of grain & hay are you feeding the goats? How much? Do they have the loose (gritty, sandy) minerals?
Hi guys. Sorry for the lack of replies. Just letting you know she took a turn for the worse last night, woke up to find her unable to even stand and bleating her head off in pain. Vet came out to see her and I was told there was nothing they could do to help her long term, only keep her alive for the next few days, so I had to have her put down this morning. I am completely heartbroken and so very mad at the vet practice for how flippant they were towards her, as I know if they'd have taken her bloods when I first got them out they might have been able to save her, and i will never know what actually killed her. Thank you all for your advice and help.
So sorry for your loss. Nothing anyone says will make you feel better, but we all have suffered a loss and are totally understanding about your pain, anger and frustration.