The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: maddy on August 02, 2015, 08:38:38 am

Title: Scours in kids again!
Post by: maddy on August 02, 2015, 08:38:38 am
I seem to be having a bad  year this year with my kids scouring.

They are 4 months old now.  FEC samples revealed coccidia which was treated with Baycox which cleared scouring.

After a couple of weeks scouring again.  FEC samples clear.  Gave all a/b as vet said gut could be inflamed and sensitive.  All cleared up,

Samples were sent to lab for indepth check and culture revealed no e coli, salmonella and plenty of gut flora, no worms or coccidia.

Now again 7 days later 2 are scouring again.

They are still with the mums but not feeding much.  Are out at grass during the day.  In at night with plenty of fresh hay and straw.

I am at my wits end to know what to do.

I will phone the vet tomorrow but don't like getting a/b's to give them.

Title: Re: Scours in kids again!
Post by: Dogwalker on August 02, 2015, 02:48:06 pm
Is it very lush grass?

Try keeping them in on hay for a couple of days to see if that dries them up.  They might have sensitive guts after the cocci and with this wet warm weather the grass is growing well.
Title: Re: Scours in kids again!
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on August 02, 2015, 07:40:18 pm
After the cocci it may be worth repopulating the gut with good bacteria. Try a probiotic. I would also give charcoal after anything like that as it can help to absorb toxins in the gut.
Title: Re: Scours in kids again!
Post by: Anke on August 02, 2015, 08:33:07 pm
Is it 3weeks since the 1st treatment? Coccidia lifecycle is 3 weeks, so if they are still in the environment (bedding etc) they will just be overcome again, even if the reading after the 1st treatment was low.

So another treatment with Vecoxan or Baycox would be my 1st action, as well as taking off grass & concentrate for a couple of days. PLus a full mucking out, and using some disinfectant (powder or wash) like Stalosan (other cheaper brands are available, anything for dairy cattle is usually good enough)

But also goats can get viral diarrhoea too, and AB's will not really make any difference to those.