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In Reply to: Re: maybe sick goat? posted by Cathy Rose on August 24, 2001 at 09:55:07:
Hi Cathy,
He may not be getting the proper minerals and nutrition. It's difficult to diagnose a goat over the Internet but I'll give a few opinions here.
The first thing I would do is check his temperature (rectally). You always want to check that to see what is going on - slight fever, very high fever, or even below fever is a very good indicator to gauge health. A normal temperature be between 101.5 to 103.5.
The next thing is to check his stools. He should have normal stools - goat berries. If he has diarhea, perhaps coccidiosis - he is at the age where he is starting to eat solid food on his own and there is always a chance that he picked up more bacteria - diarrhea indicates he is trying to shed it.
Just about every goat I've seen become ill will one day be fine, the next showing very little interest in food and just standing there or laying there while the others eat. When this happens, you've got to take immediate action to diagnose and treat the goat or else you stand a greater chance of losing him. Some illnesses are swift - here one day, gone the next. This is why immediate action on your part is vital. Believe me, I've learned the hard way to not take the "well I'll give it 24 hours" approach.
Personally what I think I would do (and please keep in mind this is without knowing his temperature or bowel movement condition) is to get a bottle of nutra-drench (I use the type for dairy cattle) and administer to him, 15cc's of this orally - morning and night. It will contain enough minerals and vitamins to give him a boost right away. If he responds right away and is back to his usual old self, you know you've got some type on vitamin or mineral deficiency. If not, you know that it may be a virus related problem. Of course other factors fit into this equation as well.
The CD/T is a shot that is given at 30 days which vaccinates them for a few deadly diseases and conditions - tetanus, clostridial perfringes, and I believe the entero type of viruses. I should know all the things it covers but would rather some of the others like Vicki, Bernice, Kay or Goat Mom would tell you - they've been at it alot longer and know how to explain it (sorry if I left any of you others out here). The best way I explain CD/T is that you MUST give it at 30 days after they are born or else you risk their overall health down the road.
So in recapping what I've said here, please get that temperature and let us know because it will help the rest of us try to help you figure out a course of action. The bowel movement part too. These are the two most commonly asked questions and it's vital information we need to know.
Best regards,
Gary Pfalzbot
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