Odd behavior what do you think?

allenslabs · #1 04/14/06, 01:30 AM

I have Heidi who is a yearling alpine. I am selling her and have sold her little boer buddy and noticed her mopping around and thought it was since her buddy left. Well she's still mopping and her buddy left 4 days ago. So I looked at her today to make sure nothing was wrong. I didnt see anything right off other than she had a lot of dandruff which she's a black skinned goat and i thought ok maybe she's just shedding or something. So I wormed her with Safeguard and gave her some penicillin in case of an unseen infection. Tonight still the same. No improvement. SO I went over there to give her some selenium and some ADE gel just as a precautionary measure as they all needed it anywa. Well I felt of her ear and it was like really rough and bumpy. Almost gritty feeling. So then coupled with all the dandruff I thought maybe some kind of straw mite or something. She was a year old in January and very large and healthy and in good flesh. So in case of teh straw mites or something I took some dusting powder and dusted her really good and gave her Ivomec and then gave her some iron paste (although her gums looked really nice but just in case). Then I thought more and she's not itchy really. So then I'm thinking maybe an allergic reaction to something and this is some kind of hives that are making her flat out miserabl or something so I gave her some benedryl to help with that if she is itchy or something. If she's not better by tomorrow afternoon I'll just have to take her to the vet which I hate to do but she has to be well before I would even think of letting her leave the place. I thought about a good bath to get rid of all the dandruff and see if any more comes back but thoguht she'd had a bad enough evening and would worry about that tomorrow.

Can you all think of ANYTHING that I could have missed or should have done or should do? She doesn't seem to have a temp but does have a slight runny nose and just stands hunched up or lays down. I've not really seen her eat anything or drink anything. Her ears are hanging down and normally they are perky. I'm at a loss here all! Thanks for any and all info!!

goatkid · #2 04/15/06, 06:57 PM

When a goat hunches, it usually has a tummyache. Does she have baking soda available. I would give her some probios and actually take her temperature. I havd a couple goats go off feed this spring when they got milk fever and I got them to start eating again by giving them a pinch of cud from another goat. Do you have other goats? Is she alone? Stress can bring on illness. If you have a vet that's god with goats, I would take her in. Good luck.

Delinda · #3 04/15/06, 08:09 PM

Sounds like to me she is still depressed over the loss of her buddy. If they were the only two goats you have and if she is alone now she is greiving over being alone and missing her friend.

Remember pennicillian does no good at all unless you give it for 5 days in a row, one shot makes no difference. I do not use this unless I know they have an infection. give her some extra attention if you can. Since you have dusted her and gave her Ivomac her coat should clear up. You can also get some Aloe vera gel and rub it on her coat.

moonspinner · #4 04/16/06, 09:32 AM

Did you take her temp? Are you sure the "dandruff" isn't lice? If she had lice for instance, she could be a bit anemic. Long ago when I was a novice I had some kids standing hunched and didn't realize they were lice infected. Also, if she was stressed enough from the loss of her companion that could lower her resistance and she could have some type of infection. Standing hunched though is an indicator something is off. Myself, I would give her B-complex and some Probios. That can never hurt and is the first thing I reach for in many instances. Otherwise, sounds like you've covered the bases. I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility that she IS missing her buddy enough to not eat.

allenslabs · #5 04/16/06, 09:51 PM

Well I keep trying to post on here and it won't let me for whatever reason. Anyway the cause is.......drumroll please.......... SUNBURN!!! Poor thing got deppressed then MAJORLY sunburnt. Thats what all the dandruff was. She is fine now and no that was really dandfruff as it was like a canadian snowstorm if you rubbed your hands fast. She's acting LOTS better now though. Thank the Lord as she was looking so pitiful! And i have 11 goats other than her so she is definately not alone! HAHA!! THanks all though!