Kid Stopped Eating

[Anianna]

I have a doe and her two doelings born June 20. All three have been eating sweet feed for about a month now, but the one doeling stopped eating the sweet feed with her mom and sis a couple of days ago. She seems healthy. Her eyelids and gums are pink and I have seen her nurse some, though mom doesn't let her get much anymore before kicking her away. She does not appear to have any lumps anywhere. Is there anything else I should look for to determine if her not eating is a sign of illness? Is this a normal phase?

 

[20kidsonhill]

I do not feel that would be normal, and I would watch her very very closely. Perhaps consider having a fecal done on her and weighing her to determin her weight compared to normal weight of your breed of animal. Also take a body temp.
I would susptect a parasite load, perhaps worms, perhaps coccidiosis.

 

[Anianna]

Thank you.

 

[ksalvagno]

I would get a temp. I would also make sure she is peeing and pooping ok. Get a fecal test done to include coccidia. Has she had a CDT shot?

 

[Anianna]

She's had her first does of the CD&T, but is not due for the second dose until the 27th.

 

[Anianna]

I do leave loose minerals out free choice for the goats. I see that goats can suffer from toxicities of certain minerals. Should I not be giving the babies free choice minerals? I see the babies eating the minerals more than their mom.

 

[Goatherd]

It's true that goats can have too much of a mineral but that's usually when the goat keeper supplements single, specific minerals and the animal really doesn't need it and suffers toxicity.
A loose mineral is a balanced blend of necessary minerals that are designed to compensate for those lacking in the goat's diet. Normally, a goat will only use the amount it needs and will not ingest more than it's body requires.
Babies are no different than adults when it comes to minerals.

 

[20kidsonhill]

I keep my minerals out free-choice with the mom's and babies. I also see the babies eating a lot of minerals. I agree with Goatherd, the balanced minerals should not lead to a toxicity. Supplementing with things like Redcell or giving copper sulfate orally or bo-se shots could lead to a toxicity if the producer is not carefull.

 

[elevan]

I keep my minerals out free-choice with the mom's and babies. I also see the babies eating a lot of minerals. I agree with Goatherd, the balanced minerals should not lead to a toxicity. Supplementing with things like Redcell or giving copper sulfate orally or bo-se shots could lead to a toxicity if the producer is not carefull.

x2

 

[Anianna]

Is it possible that our doeling simply does not like the sweet feed her sis and mom practically run each other over for?

I did get a fecal sample, but the local vet doesn't do goats and the nearest livestock vet about an hour away isn't open on weekends. The doesling's temp is normal and I dd not see any obvious signs of parasites in the sample. The sample appears to be normal and her urine appears to be normal. Her eyelids and gums are still pink. She is playing and frolicking as usual. She is browsing. Her mom seems to be trying to wean her, but she is taking advantage of milking time by nursing while mom is in the stanchion. I had been pushing her away, but since she hasn't been eating the sweet feed, I have been letting her nurse mom in the stand the last couple of days.

Honestly, other than not eating the feed, she seems perfectly healthy. I don't know how long that will last if she insists on eating only rouphage, since that will not give her a balanced diet. Is she just a picky eater?