Rusty red color on coat (mineral deficiency)

[Tmaxson]

I read in another post about the rust color on the coat of a black or dark goat could be the result of a mineral dificiency. I have noticed that my Nigerian/Pygmy who was all grey and white until after she kidded back in early May and she started getting some reddish color in her coat on her sides, her neck and the back of her back legs and her eyebrow area. I thought this color was just something that started coming in but now I am wondering about the mineral dificiency. I do give them loose minerals of which I sprinkle on their grain that they get it the afternoons, however most of the time the eat around it and leave the mineral in the bowl. So I am attaching a couple pictures to show this color and asking what you guys think. I was also thinking it could be coming from a rusty fence post, but it doesn't come off when I rub it but when looking at it up close it looks like the color is only on the outer surface and not all the way down to the hair shaft. The red is not as visible on the picture as it is in person but I tried to get some good pictures of what I am talking about which is on her side almost center of her stomach. None of the other goats are showing any signs of this red color. Thank you for any thoughts.

This is her back in early March, pregnant, winter fluffy and no red that I can see

This is just a couple days after kidding in early May and I actually think I can see a little of the red in this picture

This is her yesterday (not as visible in the picture as it is in person) you really can't see it in this picture but I love the little boy stretching his neck to get something

 

[ksalvagno]

Have you tried washing her or at least the rusty areas to see if it comes out? If it is from the fence, you should be able to bathe her and it not be there after the bath.

What mineral do you use?

 

[Tmaxson]

No I haven't tried washing her and only thought about the fence post yesterday when taking the pictures, but I have just rubbed her bare handed and it doesn't come off onto my hand. I give them ManaPro Goat Mineral that I get from Tractor Supply.

 

[Tmaxson]

Is changing color or a new color coming in something that can/does happen after a year or more?

 

[ksalvagno]

Even with free choice minerals, they can need copper boluses periodically. I wouldn't be surprised if she could use a copper bolus.

By the way, Manna Pro is a good mineral.

 

[craftbug1021]

my myotonic has red in her also, going for the bolus this week, she wont eat those minerals either, any ideas on how to get them to eat the minerals??

 

[purplequeenvt]

Is changing color or a new color coming in something that can/does happen after a year or more?

My 3 year old wether, Gus, is all white during the winter and then in the spring he turns reddish.

 

[Moonshine]

Ok so.I have read a few other posts and here's my issue. I plan on having the vet come out and just do a routine check up on my goats for a couple of different reasons, establish a relationship, herd check up, and because I don't think one of my girls is eating her minerals. I have sprinkled minerals on her fees, didn't touch them. I give free choice but have never seen her around them, her coat is rusty looking, and her tail is starting to look fishy. I'm thinking I should ask him to do a blood test to see if she is deficit in her minerals and if she is low on all of them, from lack of eating them, would it be ok to do an all mineral bolus? I use Mana Pro goat minerals, could I scoop up the daily amount and bolus her?

 

[meme]

Ok so.I have read a few other posts and here's my issue. I plan on having the vet come out and just do a routine check up on my goats for a couple of different reasons, establish a relationship, herd check up, and because I don't think one of my girls is eating her minerals. I have sprinkled minerals on her fees, didn't touch them. I give free choice but have never seen her around them, her coat is rusty looking, and her tail is starting to look fishy. I'm thinking I should ask him to do a blood test to see if she is deficit in her minerals and if she is low on all of them, from lack of eating them, would it be ok to do an all mineral bolus? I use Mana Pro goat minerals, could I scoop up the daily amount and bolus her?

I have never thought of that. I don't see why not, except it might be a lot of trouble. Have you tried different brands to see what she likes? There are also vitamin shots you can give.

ETA, here are the feeding directions:

"FEED MANNA PRO GOAT MINERAL AT THE RATE OF TO OUNCE PER GOAT PER DAY. IF GOAT MINERAL IS OFFERED FREE CHOICE, DAILY CONSUMPTION MUST BE MONITERED AND THE LOCATION OF THE MINERAL FEEDER MANAGED TO OBTAIN THE DESIRED TO OUNCE DAILY FEEDING RATE. USE MANNA PRO GOAT MINERAL AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF FREE CHOICE SALT. PROVIDE PLENTY OF FRESH, CLEAN WATER AT ALL TIMES."

So, it sounds like you could weigh it and put it in gelatin capsules.

 

[Moonshine]

I think I'm gonna ask for the vets opinion and get a blood test to see where she's deficit. I was thinking I'd just copper bolus but then I thought if she's not eating the minerals wouldn't she need all them? She is the main one that is showing these signs and aren't those mineral deficiency signs? I wasn't being a good mom and putting out fresh everyday and my girls wouldn't eat the old. I learned from reading they don't like the old and so I changed it out and noticed a difference in all but 1. Stubborn lil turkey! She's like that with everything though!