Boer Goat Problems

You can get what is called "sodium bicarbonate" from the feed store,,,same thing as baking soda. Cheaper in a 50lb bag.
I feed it dry free choice.
Sorry for your losses.

Thanks Minelson & Goat Servant.........I just want to keep on learning all that I can. This seems to be the most helpful and best spot for that knowledge, too!

Make sure that the loose mineral you buy is for goats. Look for one that has 1,000+ ppm copper.

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"Do you believe in the devil? You know, a supreme evil being dedicated to the temptation, corruption, and destruction of man?" Hobbs
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yes, at least check the bag. if you can't find a mineral made for goats use an all purpose or cattle mineral it should be around 12% salt or less and have as much copper as you can find. some are almost all salt and not enough mineral. I have seen some around 40% salt. Keep in mind also that some minerals affect the absorption of othre minerals so that while one mix might have high copper it might also have other high minerals such as zinc which could possibly interfere with the copper absorption. it is mind numbing. read alot!

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A mystery is not an explanation..... on the contrary....no sooner is a myth forged than, in order to stand it needs another myth to support it.

Very thin animals, scours, and swelled jaws are all symptoms of Johnes Disease. It is a bacteria that infects the intestines and causes them to thicken and not to work properly. There is no cure and it is contagious - especially to young animals. Symptoms take 2-3 years to show up in infected animals. There are tests for Johnes Disease - but they are not very reliable and take up to 24 weeks for a culture.

Today we ordered the cydectin and it should arrive here tomorrow. We were also able to find loose goat minerals at a local farm store. I'll tell, I was glad and surprised to find it specifically for goats as there was tons of other stuff for sheep, cattle, and horses, not much in the lines for goats. So, we have the wormer coming, got loose minerals & baking soda, they get all they can eat hay, fresh water..........do I need to provide anything else? My head is spinning trying to retain and remember everything!

A few more questions: Should we be giving the nutridrench until the swelling goes away? And, would it hurt to give them a bit more than we usually give since they are so down? It's tearing me up seeing them so sick. How soon should I start seeing some positive results with the cydectin? Thanks, everyone for your patience and insight!