Do Goats get fever?

Bedste

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It has been so hot in Cut n Shoot Texas. 100 degrees for days and we are in a drought. My 6 year old Nubian has been laying around and even looking depressed. Her udder felt warm a couple days ago.. and tonight when I went to lock her in, her back and neck felt warmer than normal. Is this something I should be concerned about?
 

freemotion

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Mine felt warm, too, the past few days when it was over 100F here. I changed their water more often, refreshed their loose minerals (source of salt), and gave them some nice hay instead of pointing to the pasture with a stern look and firm stance. :p
 

Bedste

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does she eat mineral block or do you put the loose minerals in a bowl or bucket or sprinkle them on her food? Maybe it is just the heat.
 

elevan

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I have a mineral block in the pasture and loose minerals in a mineral feeder in the barn.

You probably want to take her temperature though...don't just assume that it's the environmental temp.
 

Bedste

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what is a mineral feeder?


do I need a special thermometor?
 

lilhill

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Yes, goats get fevers. Their normal range of temp should be between 101 and 104. I use a regular digital thermometer from Walmart.
 

Emmetts Dairy

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lilhill said:
Yes, goats get fevers. Their normal range of temp should be between 101 and 104. I use a regular digital thermometer from Walmart.
x2 I recomend picking one up. Its important to have one around. :)
 

Bedste

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do you give them asprin or tylenol or ibuprophen or call the vet if they are about 104?
 

lilhill

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If the temp is 104, they get started on Penicillin 2x a day for 7 days. Any other symptoms?
 

elevan

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Bedste said:
what is a mineral feeder?
It can be multiple choices...mine is a 2 compartment feeder attached the wall.


do you give them asprin or tylenol or ibuprophen or call the vet if they are about 104?
Ibuprofen should be a "in a pinch" type of option for goats as it can damage their liver.

If the temp is 104* then they have a "fever"...minimum treatment of Penicillin (1ml / 15#) 2x daily for 7-10 days.
 
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