blood serum reference range values for minerals

Thanks.

Yeah - these are solid as rock. Strange...

If you take him back for blood work again, have them check for lymphoma.

__________________
Alice
* * *
"No great thing is created suddenly." ~Epictitus

Has he been tested for CAE? I noticed you said he had calcification of the joints...

__________________
~Trish~
http://harvestmoon-farm.blogspot.com/

No - he has not been tested. X rays were done and the fetlock joint had arthritic changes and the distal ligaments showed calcification.

This is not in his nknees and is only in one joint.

Could POSSIBLY be CAE, but I doubt it. And not any of the three vets have suggested it either.

Goat diagnostics are not good- mostly too little money in goats to support an industry. UC at Davis has a good goat program due to all the artisan cheese places here. You might check their websites.


Have you thought about Replamin Gel Plus? It seems to be a good supplement to add even if you can't pinpoint the specific lack.

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For we used to ask when we were little, thinking that the old men knew all things which are on earth: yet forsooth they did not know; but we do not contradict them, for neither do we know.

Thank you! I will check into UC at Davis.

Yes - I stopped bolusing a while back and keep out Manna Pro minerals (which they eat like candy). Recently started back on the Replamin Plus 1x/week for everybody, and free choice baking soda (which is now preferred over the minerals).

What type of feed is he getting? hay/grain etc? You might oppt out to have your water and soil tested for minerals as opposed to the goat.

__________________
~ Kristen in SE Nebraska

Raising Nubian, Alpine, First Gen. Mini's & cross breed dairy goats. Est. 2004 www.LomahAcres.com

& Handmade Children's items KootieZ.com & Our Etsy Shop

During the winter they get a mix of half alfalfa pellets and half 12% pelleted sweet feed - one cup a day only, plus grass hay and free choice pasture and browse. I have stopped all grain now and cut back a lot on the hay. They have a ton of grass and browse out there now.

Good idea to test the water and soil. However, I do think it's about how this particular goat absorbs minerals into his system, so it made sense to me to see what his levels were.

I've found with getting MY blood work done (I have only one kidney) that I must ask specifically for the tests done that I want.

__________________
Alice
* * *
"No great thing is created suddenly." ~Epictitus

I asked for a specific panel and only half of the test results were provided. Not to mention that the reference range was for sheep. I knew exactly what I wanted and asked for it specifically, paid for it, and did not get it.

This is what I asked for. There are 15 minerals included in the panel. I got results for 7. For sheep.
http://animalhealth.msu.edu/Bin/Cata...=Print&Id=2765

What did they say when you called them?

__________________
Alice
* * *
"No great thing is created suddenly." ~Epictitus

I asked my vet what to do and if I should call them. She said she would call them. I highly doubt that she has yet. So yesterday, I emailed the vet who's name I found on the results and got an automatic reply that he was out until today. I will call today.

Good.

__________________
Alice
* * *
"No great thing is created suddenly." ~Epictitus

Sweet feed is high in molasses - molasses is high in red iron - red iron blocks the absorption of needed minerals like copper and selenium. If you grain again - look for something molasses free. I would put back on alfalfa through the summer and see if that helps too . . .

__________________
~ Kristen in SE Nebraska

Raising Nubian, Alpine, First Gen. Mini's & cross breed dairy goats. Est. 2004 www.LomahAcres.com

& Handmade Children's items KootieZ.com & Our Etsy Shop

I didn't think a 1/4 cup a day would do much harm. Everything I've found has molasses in it - no dry mixes that I can find. Any suggestions? I'm open.

I'm worried about alfalfa. He had urinary calculi when he was two - is that from excess phosphorus? Calcium? That's partly why I wanted these results. If he has too much calcium in his system or he doesn't handle it well, I don't want to give calcium.

MSU cannot discuss anything with me. My vet said she called she said his electrolytes were all normal. She is waiting for a copy of the results.

She said the reason the reference values are for sheep is because there have not been enough studies in goats to know if they are significantly different from sheep. So for now, we use sheep as the guideline.

She thinks his only abnormal result that is significant is Selenium and would not be concerned by the other results.

I guess I'm over thinking all of this...I don't know