[Mrspie]

I have 5 goats, I have had two of them for 12 years and the other 3 for 5yrs now.

I’ve never had any health problems, they have lived in the same paddock forever. They have grass and constant hay. Occasionally they have some hard feed, but they are on the chubby side so stopped this around 6 months ago.

I’ve never had to worm them.

I’ve the last month my 5yr old GG whether has lost a dramatic amount of weight and his coat has become patchy and dull. He also got fluff balls, but this may be his undercoat shedding.

Online, it says it’s most likely a heavy worm burden, but I find it hard to believe only one out of the 5 would have worms?

I will obviously worm him asap, but looking for other opinions..

Thanks!

[Penninehillbilly]

Best thing would be a FEC, if you have a microscope you can do it yourself, pictures online.
And the Famacha test, colour of goats eyelids against a chart shows whether anaemic.
Could be looking at Johnnes disease? Thinking of dramatic weight loss.
Do you get deer in the area/field? They could introduce problems.
I give mine Vitaferrin as a supplement if I think they need it, iron, vits and minerals, is a good pick me up.
Some goats could be just more susceptible than others.
Oh, check his teeth, as my girl got older, her teeth didnt meet the pad.
Hope you can sort things.

[Anke]

JOhnes would be a possibility, as would be CAE (which he would have got via colostrum/milk from his dam before he came to you).


But if they are only on hay, he may just need a mineral/vitamin drench as pervious poster said.


If you can get him to the vets a blood test may be helpful, but expensive and possibly inconclusive.

[Mrspie]

Thank you both for your replies!

Me and my strong husband managed to get hold of him last night and he scored 4 on the Famacha system. So I wormed him straight away.

I also wormed the others as I read that he would shed his worms within 48hrs. So for precautions I did the rest. My two very very old pygmies were slightly pale in the eyelids and slightly thinner over the hips than usual. But, hard to tell if this is worms or old age as they are about 13/14yrs now!

I was thinking if introducing some dry goat mix and maybe a vitamin lick until my GG gains a bit more condition. What do you think?

Obviously, if he doesn’t gain weight and continues downhill, then the vet will be called to investigate further.

Thanks again !

[Penninehillbilly]

I give males tup and lamb mix, has something in to prevent bladder stones,
But then (something i didnt think of earlier) could do with a goat mineral additive, and/or a salt block, i use red Rockies copper blocks (advertised for horses but for all stock) but these shouldn't be left where sheep can get them.

[Anke]

You have probably done this, but he is clear of lice?

[shep53]

Interesting if this came up in sheep i would say first check all teeth are ok and go from there 

[Mrspie]

All clear for lice and teeth are ok. They have a smallholder lyxx and I’ve started feeding them some dry goat mix.

How long do you think before he will gain weight or before there would be no change and need vet help?

Should I cut them some hedge and tree cutting to perk him up?

It’s all new to me, these goats have basically been indestructible and very very naughty their whole lives

[Anke]

All clear for lice and teeth are ok. They have a smallholder lyxx and I’ve started feeding them some dry goat mix.

How long do you think before he will gain weight or before there would be no change and need vet help?

Should I cut them some hedge and tree cutting to perk him up?

It’s all new to me, these goats have basically been indestructible and very very naughty their whole lives

Yes to tree/hedge cuttings - esp if you have some willow. I would steer clear of any thorny branches like blackthorn or just take soft tips - a thorn embedded into their gums is nasty. Some ivy is good as well, just cut off any flowers/berries as those are poisonous. And you will know about all other evergreens not to be fed as most of them are highly poisonous (exception is ivy). Bits of cabbage leaves, bananas, carrots (cut into stocks rather than slices), apples, pears etc may all be helpful until the trees are in full leaf.


If he does put on weight (and he may not given his age) then I would not be surprised if it will take all summer. So I would not hurry him or try and overfeed on concentrates. Also make sure that he drinks plenty, if need be lukewarm water with a dash of cider vinegar - to prevent bladder stonres, which is always a danger with older wethers. I am not a great fan of sugary licks for goats, but it may be helpful.