Old doe

[Obe-Willow]

I have an old alpine doe, we are guessing she is about 13-14 years old, we do not know her exact age because we got her at auction 3 years ago with her
two kids as pets.
She has over the last month or so lost weight, I have tried feeding her more feed but she does not gain weight, my other goats are fat and healthy.
I checked her gums and eyes and her gums are a black color and her eyes are a light pink.
I feed alfalfa, 2nd cut grass hay and high pro cob that is made locally and I have free choice minerals and salt.
Is it just old age or is she sick?

Thanks
Marisa

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

A doe who came from an auction is likely not the age you think. It takes very good care to get a doe up over 10, let alone 13 or 14. Certainly not a doe with lots of homes.

Even then, if she is aged even 10 (really anything over 8), you need to look at her teeth. If you can afford a vet, choose one who specializes in horses and have him float her teeth, pull out any that don't have a grinding molar on the top or bottom, and take off the jagged edges. Then move her to an equine senior feed. It is eaiser to chew. Hay is very hard to chew and recud, so if you feed alfalfa let her have it first to eat the leaves, offer her alfalfa pellets. I soaked beet pulp in hot water (it was amazing how hot they would drink/eat this) and gave this twice a day to my old does.

Trim her feet more.

Keep her wormed, she likely needs to be schedule wormed like infant doelings need.

Try one of the Horse Health brands of glucosomine/chondroiton found in jeffersequine.com they have lots of things for older horses that work very very well on goats. Good luck. Vicki

[Obe-Willow]

Thank you,
are vet does specialize in horses but does goats and other livestock too.
Marisa