Pygmy Goat Ill

[7.62mmFMJ]

Female
I do not know her age but she does not appear to be old.
She was with a very old male for a few months before the male died last summer.
I have no idea whether or not she was vaccinated or for what.

She was given to us with a Thoroughbred mare. A surprise!

I know cattle and horses but not goats and certainly not pygmy goats.

We have no other goats.

Our ranch is a leave but not enter situation so no new problems are introduced.

She is usually very energetic and is a hoot as comedy relief.

She is not active but can stand. She is responsive to attention.
She has loose stool where it is normally pellets.
Stomach virus?
I thought that goats would be pretty hardy in the gut department.

[prairiedog]

has she been wormed?

[fishhead]

We need more information.

Did she get into the grain?

Does she have a temp (101.5 to 104 is normal)?

What is she eating normally?

Does she have access to high copper goat minerals?

[7.62mmFMJ]

She eats 3-way hay (with grain heads).
She gets some rolled corn to help with the chilly nights.
She gets some "sweet mix" type feed in her hut.
This has been her diet since October.

Is grain a problem?

I have mineral blocks out for the cattle and horses, again, since she has been here.

I have not taken her temperature.

[Minelson]

She really doesn't need any grain since she is not pregnant or milking. I feed my pygmy good grass hay and alfalfa pellets. I would check her for worms...have a fecal done to see what kind of worms and also find out what wormer works in your area. For the runny poops I would give her Probios and not let her eat anything but hay. Goats are actually very sensitive to change in the gut department...Hay is the best thing to keep them warm. I would also find a loose mineral for her. Not goat/sheep. Goats need copper so find one that has lots of copper in it. They can't lick enough off a block to get enough minerals. Offer her some regualr arm & hammer baking soda. I have that available for my goats 24/7. They eat it when they have an upset tummy. I would also vaccinate her with C/D&T vaccination. (if she doesn't have a fever)
If you have never wormed her she probably has worms and an overload can kill a goat fast. Since Ivermectin still works here I use Ivermectin injectable...but you don't inject it, you give it orally. 1 cc per 22 lbs. My Pygmy weighs 72 lbs so she gets 3.5 cc. I buy it by the cc from my vet so I don't have to put the money out for a full bottle..(I only have 3 goats). It's better to dose a little more than not enough. Also, you might want to think about getting her a buddy. Like horses, they can get lonely without a friend. This is a good website that helped me out a lot for basic goat care. http://fiascofarm.com/

[7.62mmFMJ]

Thanks for the responses.

I have a call in to the vet.

She is also now moving around, making her rounds, although without the usual vigor.

[beccachow]

Good call with the vet. These critters can go down hill really fast. I was thinking worms, too.

[hoofinitnorth]

When did the male goat die, exactly? If less than 5 months ago, she could be pregnant.

In general, goats don't do well alone.

[7.62mmFMJ]

Finding a pygmy goat is like finding hen's teeth around here. We have been looking.

What is the gestation for a pygmy goat?

[hoofinitnorth]

You'll probably be surprised just where you'll find goats. She doesn't have to be with another pgymy, but that would probably be ideal. A nigerian dwarf goat, a healthy sheep, even a small pony may keep her company.

Typical gestation is around 5 months, or 150 days. It is "normal" to deliver within 10 days of (before or after) the due date.

[Backfourty,MI.]

My guess would also be worms but I'm just wondering if she got into any of the horses or cattle feed & ate too much?
The pregnant thing might be possible too but that usually doesn't cause runny poo. As far as her needing another goat buddy goats don't do well alone & do need a buddy but horses & goats get along very well wether it's a pygmy or any other kind of goat. I have pygmies & Nigerian dwarfs & I have had people buy them a couple different times(different people) to be buddies to there lonely horse. One gal bought 2 last year for her horse & he follows the goats around & cries when ever he doesn't know where they are.
If she came with the horse & has always been with him at the previous home then I'm sure she's fine with the horse.

[7.62mmFMJ]

She has 5 horses (including the one she came with) to play with. Also a herd of cattle. She is the boss

The neighbor has a full-sized goat as a companion for an ancient Texas Longhorn. SHe came over to stay with my herd for a while and the two goats avoided each other.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I know quite a few horse people that have only 1 goat in with there horses too. Although all I have are rabbits & goats no horses. I'm sure she has plenty of company.
Does she seem to be acting better? Runny poo or anything? She really doesn't need grain but alittle bit isn't going to hurt her if she's been used to having it all along I don't think.

[7.62mmFMJ]

SHe is still "under the weather" but she is putting out pellets again and she wags her tail when we give her luvin

[Minelson]

What did the vet say? Most don't know squat about goats...I'm glad her poops are back to normal

[DQ]

Originally Posted by 7.62mmFMJ

She eats 3-way hay (with grain heads).
She gets some rolled corn to help with the chilly nights.
She gets some "sweet mix" type feed in her hut.
This has been her diet since October.

Is grain a problem?

I have mineral blocks out for the cattle and horses, again, since she has been here.

I have not taken her temperature.

yes grain can be a problem. how much is she getting? goats will overeat grain resulting in acidosis (loose stool is a sign) and death. grain won't keep her warm hay will.goats are have very hardy digestive systems if they eat what nature intended and that means no grain. take her grain away until you figure out what is wrong with her. I would give her a baking soda drench and some pepto bismol to protect her gut. pull her lower eyelid down. the inside should be pink to red, you are checking for anemia, it should be about the same color as your own. if it is pale she is anemic likely due to parasites. if she is anemic and you have ivermectin for your horses on hand dose her at 3x the horse dose by weight. if you don't have a wormer on hand (if the active ingredient is fenbendazole it is worthless) and she is severly anemic get some now to save her. good luck!

[goatkid]

Be sure that the mineral licks you put out for the other livestock do not contain urea. It is poisonous to goats. Take her temperature. If she has a fever, she may have pneumonia and should be given Nuflor. Worm her. She doesn't need grain since she's not in milk. Good hay will help her to stay warm.

[7.62mmFMJ]

Thanks for all the help.

The vet was "wait and see"

I took away the grain right away. She is not quite back to normal but she is better. Up and around but not yet being bossy. She is eating and drinking and the pellets are coming out steady.