Bare areas around eyes??

[Beckella]

Hi all,
Looking for a little help. I have 2 dwarf nigerian wethers who are a year old. I just noticed that one of them has bare areas around his eyes. It doesn't look inflammed or irritated...just like the hair is gone. Any suggestions on what that could be and what I can do about it?

Thanks so much!
Beckella

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Has he lost any hair around the base of the ears in addition to around the eyes? If so I would check for ear mites. You won't see the mites themselves, but a greyish wax in the ear canal. I don't have any experience with hair loss caused by mineral deficiencies, but that may be something else to look into.

 

[mogolady]

There is a condition called "spectacle eye" where the hair around their eye turns real light or I believe they can actually loose it. It is caused by a Copper deficiency. With a Copper deficiency they can also have what is called "fish tail" where they loose hair on the end of their tail. It kind of splits in a "v". Also, if they are dark colored goats their hair will turn reddish.

You treat with a Copper bolus. We use Copasure rods which are supposed to be the safest. Good luck.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Sometimes copper deficiencies will show in the form of a "white ring" around the eyes. Which is basically light hair growth. Could be copper or selenium deficiencies. I would make sure they are getting a good loose goat mineral. Or suppliments on both minerals. There are other signs as well as in coat condition, color loss in hair, fish tails. So its hard to say.

Other than that??? Im not sure. Any other symtoms?

 

[Beckella]

Thanks for the replies! They do have access to loose minerals. He also has bare patches on his ears and the inside of his ears feel crusty...although he wouldn't really let me look at them to closely. Other then that he doesn't act any different then he normally does.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

If his ear bulbs are also bald I'd be willing to bet that it's ear mites. VetRx will clear that up. The greyish wax in his ears would confirm that.

 

[mogolady]

I agree, if the ears are "crusty" like that I bet it is mites. Haven't had those yet, "know on wood". Good luck.

 

[ThornyRidge]

it's mineral deficiency.. I battle this constantly with a couple of my goats.. especially one that is a bright red/orange color.. yes it looks like they have glasses on at a distance because hair is thinned/lightly colored.. in addition to copper being the main issue I have found supplementing some zinc picolinate (get it from health food store) and also some selenium.. but yes good minerals are a must but even with good minerals my goats (some of them) still have major deficiency issues such as this.. I am going to bolus for copper here now that it is spring.