need help, copper deficiency

[weedlady]

Hi, I didn't want to hi-jack the other copper thread, so I thought I'd start a new one. Need some help from the "real" goat people.
I have two pygmy wethers-just pets. I've been fighting rain-rot with one of them every spring for years. Iodine shampoo, picking off the scabs, spraying with betadine. I'm getting real tired of this, so I searched the threads yesterday trying to find a better solution.
I think perhaps we have a copper deficiency. The other whether is black and he is tinged with red on his back legs.

They have Hoegger's Golden Blend minerals free choice all the time. Is there another mineral blend that would be better-give them more copper?

Since they are whethers, I don't give them any grain, just plenty of hay, and whatever they want to browse on when they are out with me in the yard (which isn't very often), and the occasional treat. Maybe I need to be feeding them something different? My feed store doesn't carry goat food-they recommended lamb starter, but that doesn't seem right to me, and would certainly not have copper added.

I've tried to figure out the copper bolus thing, and I'm intimidated. Not only by trying to figure out where to buy and how much to give, but I have never used a balling gun and don't know where to start. Not only that, but I don't want to buy a bunch of boluses(sp?) when I only have the two goats.

Is there any other way to get more copper into them? I read the marshmallow and peanut butter ideas. Where's the best place to order a very small amount of the copper bolus if that's what I need to do?

thanks for any help you can give.
Martha

[LomahAcres]

If it is rain rot make sure to continue treatment for 2-4 weeks after it looks like it's gone. I would try shaving/trimming them in early spring before it gets too warm to see if you can prevent it. Or look for some different bedding options in their housing.

Check your label on the mineral and see what the copper level is - ppm?

The only way to find bolus in smaller quantities would be to split a pack with some one also just wanting a few. Or you may check your vet if they keep them in stock? Balling guns are simpler then they sound, picture a syringe with an open top instead of coming to a narrow tube. I just take some peanut butter in the opening and stick the pill in the peanut butter, shove it waaay back in the mouth and push the plunger down.

[Minelson]

A lot of people have luck with Right Now Onyx by Cargill mineral. It has a lot of copper in it. I have to have a feed store order it for me but it really lasts a long time. For the rain rot, I would use MTG for sure on that. It's a great product for lots of skin issues on all animals. http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.h...9-1d059477370f
It comes in a smaller size too...just google it

[deineria]

I would be happy to mix up the amount I give my Pygmy goats and send them to you for a small charge to help you out. I can put them in the 00 capsules and send you 4, incase you mess up the first two. I bolusing gun is less than $3 at Tractor Supply or Southern states - up the capsule in - they are small so they go all the way down in there - and have someone help you - hold the goat's mouth open - put it as far back as you can and that is it.
email me if you want - tinia@lucasfarmwv.com

[Backfourty,MI.]

Did you look to see what the ppm's of copper is in the mineral your giving them?
Also another thing I'm wondering is about your water? Is it high in iron? Becuase that will also hinder the absorption of some things into there system. If so maybe get them water through a water softened line out of the house an option?

I use the Cargill Brand Mineral "Right Now Onyx" & haven't had to bolus since. My goats really like it & so far so good.

[weedlady]

Thanks for your replies!

Deineria, I sent you an email, I will take you up on your kind offer!

Yes, our water is very high in Iron! and what I give them does not go through the softener, so I will start giving them "inside" water.

I spend today calling around looking for a mineral w/higher copper content (I'm at work, but I'll squeeze it in when no one is looking, lol!). Can you order the Cargill mineral on-line anywhere?

thanks again for your help.
Martha

[motdaugrnds]

I have been wondering about copper supplements as well simply because I have never given them any extra copper. I feed my herd Hoegger's "Golden Blend Goat Minerals" [copper(CU) min 0.15%]. How can I tell if this is sufficient?