what would cause this?

[oceanmist]

My sister has an Alpine doe named Nutmeg... she kidded in April and started losing weight drastically in July. She now looks like walking death. She had intermintant diarhea, no fever, fine appetite. She's been wormed with Safeguard. No fecals done yet. Drinking fine. Just not gaining any weight no matter how much she's eating.
She is in a herd of 100+ goats and is just now 3 years old.

Oh I forgot to mention that one day out of the blue she developed a huge lump on her chin, that was the day she was wormed and it was gone the next morning and hasn't returned.

Her hair is sticking out on end in an effort to keep her warm and it's very coarse and funny looking...

any ideas??

thanks Misty

[susanne]

you answered your question already.
have her a fecal check done and worm accordingly.

[topside1]

Safeguard wormer only attacks tapeworms. Tapeworms are actually not a big problem in comparison to blood sucking worms.....If this person harboring Nutmeg has 100 goats they should be experts on this topic, or experts who just don't care. If nutmeg is just a visitor in the herd, then I would remove her into better conditions immediately. "Walking Death" can't be good. Sounds like if your sister doesn't react quickly enough Nutmeg maybe belly up any day now.

[Jillis]

Absolutely do a fecal and worm accordingly.

Also, make sure the doe is getting adequate minerals, especially copper.

[oceanmist]

Originally Posted by Jillis

Absolutely do a fecal and worm accordingly.

Also, make sure the doe is getting adequate minerals, especially copper.

Will do ASAP, I am heading out there Monday to help her do a blood draw and taking some minerals...

my sister does have around 150 goats...it's a split herd, she owns about 40 of them and her landlady owns the rest... she deals with as much as she can, breeding, building pens, tending injuries and illnesses, kidding, feeding, but she also works full time and her husband just lost his job sooo she's been a little distracted.. (

It's hard to do everything when you're just one wittle person!

Oh yeah I also told her to take liquid iodine and pour it between the goats shoulders just in case this is some sort of thyroid thing going on... and we will be worming with Ivomec 1% liquid for cattle and getting a copper bolus into this one goat..

thanks Misty

[dosthouhavemilk]

If she had some swelling under her jaw I would also check her eyelids and see if she is anemic. If they are white she needs supportive care to recover from the anemia as well. An iron supplement (Red Cell is used by most people in this case...large purple gallon jug sold for horses) and some B-Com will help get her going again.
I'm surprised she is doing as well as she is if she did indeed end up with bottle jaw.
We are running 106 head (does, bucks and kids) currently with myself as the main care taker. It's doable, but at that many it can be a bit daunting. I don't have a full time job on the side but I erratic hours with the work I do.
This doe will need a good warm place to stay as well because her reserves are going to keeping her self alive. She needs extra TLC. If she has a buddy in the herd an area away from the herd in a warm shed with easily accessed food and water is ideal.