very anemic goat.

[VKat]

I got two goats very cheap from someone who was selling their whole herd.
The previous owner said he had been going through a tough time and couldn't afford to feed them over the winter. I figured it was a great opportunity for me to get started. Should have realized it was a red flag. I'm new to goats and now I have animals that clearly need extra care.

The goat in my avatar photo is a 5 year (or more?) old doe. Her eyelids are frighteningly pale. Near white pale. She had a serious digestive upset almost 2 weeks ago, I found her down and her rumen was silent. Treated for bloat, and she got better (a very scary experience). I had her inside from the cold, and kept her several days to make sure she was really okay before outfitting her with a coat and letting her rejoin her pals.
After all of that, following advise given online, I checker her color and found her very anemic.
Immediately got Ivermectin and treated that day.
She has been losing weight.
Her appetite is good.
Both her and the other goat I got from that sale have rough coats compared to my other doe.
Both seem too skinny.
This anemic goat has a bald tail tip too.

I have marked on my calendar 10 day intervals to re-dose the Ivermectin 2 more times.
I am feeding them Dumor goat pellets, Manna Pro loose minerals free choice, and second cut hay I get from a local store is always available.
I've also been adding unsulphured molasses, and probios.
But she is still deathly pale.

I ordered Copper bolus Copasure for goats online, and am getting Red Cell to give her.
What more can I do?
If anyone with experience can give me advice- what is best to get them back to health?

 

[jodief100]

I would cut out the molasses but everything else sounds good. The rough coat is probably form a mineral deficiency and it sounds like you are taking care of that.

The Ivermectin may not be working. Do you have a vet who can run a fecal? Even a small animal vet should be able to if you don't have a large animal vet.

You need to know if the Ivermec is working. If not you need to try another wormer, Cydectin or Prohibit. Other than that, lots of TLC and good food.

 

[Hens and Roos]

that you can get them both back to health

 

[luvmypets]

x2

 

[Southern by choice]

Everything @jodief100 said! Definitely cut out the molasses.

Sounds as though you are the best thing to happen to them. Hoping they improve quickly.

 

[VKat]

Thank you guys <3
I started calling vets. A friend found a list in my state that work with goats. So far one has called back, and he was really great. He took time to give me advice even though I am out of their area.
He said I'm on the right track, and that I can give her kale along with Red Cell to help her iron levels to help with the anemia.
He also said that just proper feeding will help.
He also said that the copper in the feed and minerals will be enough to get her okay over time. Which I am not sure- what do you guys think? Because I have been reading a lot of good things about giving a copper bolus to help with general health and also barber pole worms. Which are known to cause anemia.

He also advised me to giver her Karo syrup at 15 cc twice a day. He said that will help her with the weight loss since the sugars in that are going to give her body energy.
Lastly he gave me tips on fecal floats and told me if I have any troubles reading them, I can send images to his office. I am saving that # since he was so helpful and nice.

Right now I am feeling lots better having had a vet reassure me. She is up and around, eating and has a very good appetite and is not lethargic at all.
All of those are good signs so I shouldn't panic.
He said it is hard for them to rebuild red blood cells. That it takes time.

Still waiting to hear from other vets. If someone is closer to me, maybe i can send a fecal to them, or they can come here. I found a place you can send samples to in the mail and they will run testing for you too. I would rather do what will give me the answers soonest though.

I'm also getting a microscope and supplies ordered so I can learn to do fecal testing myself. It just seems to make sense to know how to do this stuff since the more I read, the more I see how important regular testing is. I don't mind learning this, one of my first jobs after high school was as a vet assistant.

In the meantime, I want to make sure I am feeding them as perfectly as possible.
I will put the molasses away.
Are there any other things, like alfalfa or protein source that will help?

 

[Southern by choice]

I disagree with the copper issue. Many are in areas that are copper deficient and even with loose minerals it is not always enough.
As far as the microscope... Have a source for a good scope resonably priced as well as please get the McMasters slides

 

[VKat]

Do you think Copasure copper bolus for goats is a good product to use?
I ordered that and some B vitamins too.

I already ordered a microscope on Amazon because I can get things shipped to me that way fast. I can always return it if it isn't the right for the job. One of the reviews for the one I picked said they love it and use it for their goats and the animal shelter, so I figured it was a safe bet.
Do you have a link? If the place you know is better then I can cancel my order.

I found articles online about doing testing, and one mentioned slides especially for counting eggs is that the McMaster type? Where can I find those? Can I use regular slides at all?

Thank you! Your advice is really appreciated!

 

[Goat Whisperer]

How long have you had her?

 

[VKat]

I got them December 12th, so a little more than a month.