Kid questions-vaccinations, feeding, and castrating

[meme]

Hey everyone, I'm writing this. even though this is my little sister's profile. She doesn't mind.

I have a few questions about our goats kids that I have been dying to clear up. First of all, Shasta (unregistered nubian male)is one month old and Heidi (registered alpine girl) is three weeks. Both of their mom's were vaccinated with CD&T before giving birth, and the kids were also vaccinated when they were under one week. Should I give them another CDT this month? The vet we talked to said to give it every month until they reached 5 months, but I really thought that sounded excessive. Maybe not though. Also, are there any other vaccines you recommend?

Additionally, we have been feeding whole milk three times a day. They get 16 ounces at 7am, 8 ounces at 2pm, and 16 ounces at 9pm. They have access to alfalfa all day, and I also add a squirt of nurti-drench and some plain yogurt to their morning bottle every day. We were planning on weaning at two months, but some people have recommended up to 5 months. Should I cut out the middle feeding and start reducing the amount in the other two? They love their alfalfa, and any weeds they can find too. I just want them to be healthy!

Finally, we were originally going to castrate Shasta at 3 months, to try and prevent UC. However, the vet said we should really wait until he is about a year old to give him time to grow. The thing is, he is already starting to smell "bucky", and I am really worried he will get Heidi pregnant on accident. I must say, I was really suprised to see his obvious 'attempts' with Heidi today, she wanted nothing to do with him. I keep telling him he is still a baby, but he doesn't appear to be getting the message. When do you usually fix your whethers, and should I separate them? I would hate to cage them apart, but I am afraid I might have to.

Oh yeah, and I was also wondering what to do about the lovely diarrhea. It seems like whenever they get nervous they start getting it again. It never lasts for long though, and they usually have at least one normal poo a day. Shasta has normal poo all the time now, it is just that Heidi had is yesterday after a wind and thunder storm, and now she is fine. I am watching closely! It just worries me, but they act perfectly normal.

Thanks for helping out a newbie, the goat world is already proving to be very exciting!

 

[ksalvagno]

Normally you would give a shot of CDT and then one booster about 3-4 weeks later. I don't see the need for doing it once a month for 5 months. That is a lot of CDT. After this, you would give it annually and they may have a reaction at a year old when you give it then since so much is in their system.

Most people like to give the full size dairy goat kids a bottle through 3 months age. I don't see a need to go to 5 months. They really are too little to start cutting out bottles. I would be giving them 3 bottles a day for a minimum of 2 months. I usually give them the same amount for all 3 bottles so mine would actually be getting the 16 oz 3 times a day. They really don't have grain stomachs yet so they are gaining weight on the milk much moreso than the grain/hay.

I would go ahead with the castration at 3 months. Waiting a year is too long. Not only could you not keep the 2 kids together because he could breed your doe but also because it would be harder on him at a year and the smell. As far as keeping them apart, you may have to for a little while. I would say at 4 weeks of age, he wouldn't get her pregnant.

It sounds like you should treat them for coccidia since they have diarrhea. DiMethox 40% is the best working one. Give 1cc per 5 lbs the first day and then 1cc per 10 lbs the following 4 days.

 

[meme]

Thanks for the advice! Our goat vet actually lives down the road from us, and has a large herd of alpines. I was surprised about some of the advice she gave, and didn't know what to do. She actually recommended to only give two bottles after one week, supposably to prevent overeating disease. I think I will stick with our current schedule for now though, they are gaining about 1.5 lbs/week right now.

I guess I should probably vaccinate them next weekend then, our vet told us to buy the CD&T from the feed store and give it under the skin, behind the shoulder blade. Also, I will have to ask her about banding Shasta again, and see if she will help us do it when he is younger. What is the youngest age a doe could get pregnant? I would hate for that to happen when she is so young.

Additionally, is there some type of test for coccidia? They show no signs of illness at all, except for Heidi had diarrhea for about a day and a half. I thought she might just be scared because it was really noisy when we had that storm. Shasta had some the first week we brought him home, but it was really just a bit runny; not too bad. Right now, both have well-formed marbles. I just hate over-medicating, so I think I would want to test before giving them anything.If there is a test, that is. Thanks again!

 

[DonnaBelle]

I attended the Oklahoma State University Goat Boot Camp twice.

Both times several veternarians who are also professors at the vet college there recommended banding at 2-3 months of age.

I can't imagine waiting until a male was a year old. At that time, they are full grown. Are you sure you understood properly?

We have banded several bucklings and in my opinion, it's the best way to do it. We spray the area well with betadine, slip on the band, and in a couple of weeks, all is gone. Make sure you get the bands on just above the testes, and that you get both testes and no nipples (yes, male goats have teats). We do it by DH standing the goat on his front feet and lifting up the back legs, I then spray the area well with the betadine, and slip the band on with a banding tool. Takes about 2 minutes.

And ditto to everything KSalvagno said about CD & T and Di-Methox.

DonnaBelle

 

[meme]

Maybe I did here her wrong, it doesn't make much sense, does it? I will ask her next time I see her for sure. Thanks.

 

[elevan]

You definitely don't need to wait until one year to castrate. 3 months is a good point. Although if you haven't castrated by the time the doeling is 8 weeks you need to separate her. I agree with everything that ksalvagno said.

Additionally, is there some type of test for coccidia? They show no signs of illness at all, except for Heidi had diarrhea for about a day and a half. I thought she might just be scared because it was really noisy when we had that storm. Shasta had some the first week we brought him home, but it was really just a bit runny; not too bad. Right now, both have well-formed marbles. I just hate over-medicating, so I think I would want to test before giving them anything.If there is a test, that is. Thanks again!

Coccidia can be tested via a fecal float. It's a longer float than a standard worm fecal.

Here's some information on coccidia .

I've never heard of nerves causing diarrhea. "Dog logs" possibly but not runny or pudding type poo.

 

[meme]

Today we sent a fecal sample to the vets, and it tested positive for coccidia. The vet is actually coming to our house later to drop off the medicine and look at the goats. Which is really awesome, because I want to be a vet one day and we might be buying a saanen doeling from her soon. That way my sister and I can both show for 4-H and FFA. Anyway, I am really glad that Heidi will be okay, and I will be sure to pick her brain about Shasta getting banded. Thanks for all the help!