Am I right about the condition of my goats? HELP! see post #8

[20kidsonhill]

I would for sure consider parasites as the main problem. Sounds like a fecal test is in order and if that is impossible I would worm her.

As far as how likely it is for them to carry multiples the first time versus a single. Very likely. A first timer does have more of a chance of having a single, but goats often have twins and sometimes triplets,ect.......

out of 4 yearlings(15 months old) that kidded for the first time this past summer, I had One single, 2 sets of twins and 1 set of triplets.

Even if she is carrying triplets or quads, she should still have an appetite and not be loosing weight.

Also if she isn't that old, say under two years of age, you may also wish to consider coccidiosis as a cause of her weight lose.

 

[mama24]

What are the signs of coccidia in a goat and how do you treat it? My chickens had a rough time with coccidia less than a month ago, so it is definitely a possibility. I used Corid on the chickens, and they've been fine. She has not had diarrhea at all. She is a yearling.

 

[20kidsonhill]

What are the signs of coccidia in a goat and how do you treat it? My chickens had a rough time with coccidia less than a month ago, so it is definitely a possibility. I used Corid on the chickens, and they've been fine. She has not had diarrhea at all. She is a yearling.

First off, goats can't get it from your chickens.

But a goat can have a coccidiosis bloom just like your chickens can. It can be bad and make them very sick and scour, or it can have very few obvious symptioms, but slowly effect their digestion and cause them to gain poorly or loose weight.


You can use Corid, Lots of people do. We put it in the drinking water, or you can give it orally to her each day( 5 days). Corid is a thiamin inhibitor and you may be better off if she is not feeling well to treat her with sulfa-dimethoxine or Albon. Also given 5 days in a row as a drench.

 

[currycomb]

bought a young doe, thin and small. not interested in grain AT ALL! just nibbled on browse. treated with albon for cocci. 3 days later was a pig, first one to the feed trough. now growing. so........

 

[mama24]

Well, I was JUST at the feed store, and they're both over 15 mi away, so I'll start with the Corid today and maybe I'll be able to make it to the store tomorrow. Thanks so much for your help! The other goat I have is younger and HER appetite hasn't been affected! But I guess you are more susceptible to things during pregnancy, so that makes sense.

We've had a very very warm wet winter, and the ground is very wet in the goat pen. This is our first year on this property, and I am thinking about moving everyone to higher ground, even though the existing barn is what we've been using. Big and free is nice, but not if it's situated on wet ground that is making the animals sick!