Sharing our copper / selenium problem ...Sept. update / pics pg 8

[Our7Wonders]

My girls are on organic barely and oats - soaked overnight with a bit of ACV, so it shouldn't be an issue with GMO or poor absorption from the grain. I add BOSS as well. And just started sprouting them first.

It could, however, be from blocked minerals/vitamins/protein from chemically laden hay. I don't now how the hay was treated. I was in a rush to buy hay at the end of the season so I'd have it when my girls arrived in December. They were looking rough by January. So it came on quick once they arrived here - has to be environmental or feed/water related due to the timing. And they had the same grain at their dairy - only feed diference is hay. They are on city water, but they were for half the year at the dairy too, and same city.

Have I mentioned I'm so looking forward to new hay when it's ready!

 

[babsbag]

I live in No. CA and we pay a fortune for our hay, but I am so happy to have it after reading all these posts about bad hay and no hay. Some of our hay is grown locally, and some is shipped in from Oregon or So. CA but I can always find decent hay, at a minimum of 16.00 a bale it better be good.

My herd is only on about an acre so they don't get much browse unless I trim some trees for them so alfalfa is the mainstay for the does and wheat hay is for the boys. I add some BOSS, some beet pulp, some wet COB, alfalfa / timothy grass pellets and some dairy ration when I am milking them. They probably don't get more than a cup of the tasty treats every day or 2 when they are open. The buck gets some noble goat or All Stock in addition to his wheat hay. Yes, they cost me a fortune to feed, but they look good, and for that I am thankful.

 

[Snowhunter]

Roll, thanks for starting this, and everyone else for participating... it has been VERY educational to read. For newbie goat folks, like myself, its priceless to be learning this "from the horses mouth" and folks currently experiencing this stuff.l so, Thanks!!

 

[Roll farms]

Okee doke....I mentioned that Penny's losing more fur, and this is what I found her like this morning. (Not in the stand, of course... )

Here's what she looked like 3 wks ago, prekidding

It's always been my experience that when a goat is 'down' w/ something, their production will suffer. 10.75# of milk this morning, and here's her udder when full.

So whatever her problem is, I'm pretty sure she's not 'sick'...

I shaved her down to 1/8" and scrubbed her down good w/ hibiclens, have a call in to the vet to get the ingredients I don't have for the 'witche's brew' (Thanks SO MUCH for that info, both to Elevan for looking it up and Ksalvagno for mentioning it.)

Here are close-ups of her skin...I've never seen ringworm on anything but a puppy's tail...but are these red splotches ringworm???

This pic shows where the hairloss started, on her topline, from what the vet and I suspected was chemical burn from Cyclence..... The 'shoulder blade' area, I guess you could call it.

She had blistery burnt-looking skin but I've been putting MTG on it for about 10 days now. The blisters are gone, and it looks better, but no new hair growth yet.

I just don't know what to think....the chemical burn explained the hair loss on her topline, but why is she going bald all over now??????

One last pic of Penny....Aside from the crappy coat, isn't she beautiful?

I LOVE this goat, she's just so darn funny and smart, productive and sweet. I want her to look pretty again.

I have more pics to post of other goats (nearly every one I own) so that you guys can see what I'm seeing / compare it to what you're seeing in your goats....But I gotta do a few other things now.

Any input on what Penny's red splotches look like, or advice for what'd be good for her besides MTG would be appreciated. Ya don't think the MTG woulda caused the hair loss, do ya???


ALSO...Nicki....I know you're a groomer....I sorta want to burn my clippers now after shaving Penny, but they're new, so I sorta don't wanna. Anything I can clean / soak the blades in that won't ruin them? (Anything else I usually dip in bleach, assuming that wouldn't be a good idea... )

 

[Roll farms]

I just got off the phone w/ THE BEST VET EVER, Dr. Justin Bricker at Pipe Creek Animal Hospital. He's a peach!

(He said he was going to check out this thread and I had better have said nice things about him....)

Don't I always brag on him, guys? Huh, don't I???

eta: ALL goats tested normal selenium / copper levels except Penny, who IS high....so...is she going bald due to copper toxicity??

I will post the actual facts / figures once my dh picks up the test results and Witch's Brew ingredients this afternoon....

 

[Roll farms]

So normally 72 people would have posted but noooo...I ask y'all to help me out here and *crickets chirp*

 

[RainySunday]

Well, I have absolutely zero suggestions...But I hope you get it figured out. Poor thing, that can't possibly feel good, and I am sure you are driving yourself nuts over it too!

 

[redtailgal]

...........

 

[Roll farms]

I've also been brushing the crap out of her too, trying to get the loose skin / dead hair out. Maybe it's irritated from that?

NOTHER thing....That makes 2 tests, 1.5 yrs apart, where Penny's had high copper levels. Should I keep her from getting ANY mineral for a while, ya think?
And just why the heck is she red if she's not deficient? Arrrrgh....

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Sorry Roll! My day job had me unfortunately occupied today. Yes, you need a blade wash/disinfectant. You will most likely have to order it, though you might be able to snag some at work if you're lucky. I use an Andis wash. If it were me I'd keep those blades under wraps until you've thoroughly disinfected them. And be sure to oil them really well after they're cleaned.

I'm dying to find out the blood test results!