Boer meat goat going downhill-

[moday]

We have a boer wether in Michigan and he has been acting real strange. We called the vet and they think CAE by description and told us that there's not much we can do. The ol' boy is only 4 yrs and we think he's done eating and drinking. He's lost a bunch of weight this summer and has quit grazing. His joints have been clicking like crazy when he walks. It seemed like his feet were bothering him. Noticed cracking between toes and dew claws (or bumps in back of feet) when the kids were checking him out this am. This cracking of the skin is probably painful, so we think that is bothering him. Feel bad for him, but not sure what else to do. As owners, we feel bad, but if he refuses to eat or drink then not much we can do. Is this soon to be terminal or other suggestions? We'll call vet again in the am. Thanks, MODAY

[KrisD]

So sorry to hear that . I wish I could offer you something but I haven't dealt with anything like that before. Big Hugs! I hope he pulls through for you.

[goatkid]

It would be good to draw blood and test for CAE even if you can't save this goat. That way you'll know if you have it in your herd. Usually you'll see arthritis from CAE in the knees rather than the feet.
I wonder if there is some as yet unidentified disease of Boer goats that leads to weight loss and eventually, death. A friend raises both dairy and Boer goats. Some of her Boers succcumb to this, yet her dairy goats don't.

[CarolT]

Sounds like you need to let him go. If he won't eat or drink, it's only a matter of being miserable until he dies. Get the vet to check him for sure, but if he won't eat or drink, I would put him down. So sorry this is happening.

And I, too, would draw blood and have it tested to be sure.

[mekasmom]

Originally Posted by moday

We have a boer wether in Michigan and he has been acting real strange. We called the vet and they think CAE by description

Since he is a wether, and has no real value as a billie, I would probably consider culling him for the meat and to end suffering. You don't want him to starve, that's just not kind. If you don't choose to do that now, then I would at the very least treat the foot rot with rubbing alcohol and some antibiotics.