Diarrhoea in new, young, goat

[Nes]

We're new to goats & new to these goats, so please bear with me .

I picked up 2 Saanen (formerly Billys) yesterday. The seller is a miniature breeder, with a whole host of other animals so I'm pretty sure she knows what she's doing. The smaller of the two started having diarrhoea yesterday "because of the grass".

He seemed fine last night, but this morning I came into the barn and he's shot, basically brown water all over the place. So I'm a little worried about him.

They are 3 months old, and a little on the light side because them originally came from a neglectful situation.

The smaller of the two is also having some raspy breath sounds and a bit of a runny nose (but that could be shipping fever).

They were banded yesterday & got a shot of penicillin for their troubles.

I can't say whether or not he's acting normally, but he is hunched over (obvious he's got a tummy ache).

The seller told me to put some strawberry extract into his milk* if the diarrhoea continues. I don't have any in the house right now and won't be able to get any until later today.
(*They get a bottle a day just for the sake of it now, I'm going to wean them)

I'm going to mix up some home-made electrolytes for him and give him that.

Is there anything else I should be doing/looking out for??

The larger of the two seems quite healthy. I did hear him cough once when I was out in the barn for 30 minutes feeding our lamb.

It's also very damp and cool here this morning, which is unfortunately since I'd really like to hose off the little goat bum but it's just too cool for that.

 

[elevan]

That's a lot of stress for a little goat all at once...no surprise that he's spraying diarrhea.

Here's what I'd do for the one with diarrhea:
withhold the milk for 24-48 hours and give only electrolytes (diarrhea should subside by then).
add probios powder to the electrolytes or give some probios gel
give a vitamin b shot
take a fecal to the vet

for the one with respiratory symptoms:
VetRx - 2 drops each nostril for 5 days
penicillin for 5 days


Getting a fecal from a goat who's spraying it everywhere can be tough. I put them in a clean environment (or put them on clean plastic sheeting and wait)...wait for them to spray then scoop it up and take it in to the vet Nasty job.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

I definitely would be getting a fecal to a vet, make sure he isn't loaded with coccidia/worms like ours were when we got them; They were some sick little goats very quickly but it cleared up after a few Rx injections and oral meds. Hope to hear some good news from you soon

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

I definitely would be getting a fecal to a vet, make sure he isn't loaded with coccidia/worms like ours were when we got them; They were some sick little goats very quickly but it cleared up after a few Rx injections and oral meds. Hope to hear some good news from you soon

I second the fecal for cocci and / or worm load. And make sure your not dealing with pneumonia on the cough. Important! Both can be deadly to them.

Best of luck...congratulations and welcome to the wonderful world of goaties!!!!

 

[Nes]

After a bottle of electrolytes he's bounced back amazingly and is outside playing with his brother(?) and our lamb .

I'm going to try to get a fecal from him, but this may have resolved itself during the day.

Thanks guy & I'm sure you'll hear more questions from me very soon

 

[elevan]

After a bottle of electrolytes he's bounced back amazingly and is outside playing with his brother(?) and our lamb .

I'm going to try to get a fecal from him, but this may have resolved itself during the day.

Thanks guy & I'm sure you'll hear more questions from me very soon

Please try not to be complacent because he is bouncing today...get the fecal done. He could still very well have a worm load.

 

[20kidsonhill]

After a bottle of electrolytes he's bounced back amazingly and is outside playing with his brother(?) and our lamb .

I'm going to try to get a fecal from him, but this may have resolved itself during the day.

Thanks guy & I'm sure you'll hear more questions from me very soon

Please try not to be complacent because he is bouncing today...get the fecal done. He could still very well have a worm load.

I was thinking the same thing, a bottle of electrolytes may just make him feel better for a little while. I would be worried about worms/cocci or bacterial.

 

[Goatmasta]

How old is the goat? Regardless of the answer I can say with certainty that it has cocci. I would start treatment ASAP before the goat expires.

 

[elevan]

The OP stated that they were 3 months old in the original post.

Cocci is definitely a high possibility - fecal would confirm.