Hair missing on the end of the tail?

[SugarBush Farms]

I was clipping my 6 month old LaMancha doeling for show the other day and she is missing a LOT of hair on the end of her tail(where you leave the little paint brush. I know this can be a sign of copper deficiency, However they are on a complete goat grower & lactation feed, a high protein feed, and have 24/7 access to a salt block, All contain copper in adequate amounts and the rest of the herd is just fine.
What could be causing this? and how can I fix it?

[andabigmac]

There are a lot of other factors that can inhibit copper absorption. For instance I live in an extremely high iron area. Iron is a copper inhibitor so regardless of having high quality loose minerals I still need to copper bolus.

Also, salt/mineral blocks don't work as well for goats because they have smooth tongues. They would need to lick that thing 24/7 to meet their mineral needs. I would suggest buying a high quality loose mineral. I use Cargill's Right Now Onyx. You can look into boluses too. There are people on the board here who sell them if you only have a few goats and don't want to buy a whole package.

Good Luck at the show! Let us know how you do. We like pictures too.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Ditto on all that was said above. Your goats need copper in a form they can use. Bolus.

[The Tin Mom]

Yep. Andabigmac said exactly what I would have said - only better.

[where I want to]

Originally Posted by andabigmac

There are a lot of other factors that can inhibit copper absorption. For instance I live in an extremely high iron area. Iron is a copper inhibitor so regardless of having high quality loose minerals I still need to copper bolus.

I've lately been going around the block on this too. I think the mineral issue is a biggie with goats.
Zinc seems to be my problem. I copper bolus but still have issues. Blood tests showed low zinc levels.
High calcium levels, along with high iron levels, effect zinc absorption as well as copper. The vet from Davis said that even though legumes have a higher zinc level, the higher calcium level in them offsets it.
It's complicated.

[FunnyRiverFarm]

In this instance I would say that the hair loss probably is due to a copper deficiency because she is not receiving good loose minerals or being copper bolused. I would just like to add, though, that I have a few does with worn down tail hair from when they are lying down and switching their tails because they are getting pestered by flies. The ends of their tails brush the ground and all of the hair wears off...this could easily be mistaken for the 'fish tail' sign of copper deficiency.

[KrisD]

Copper bolus them. Hair missing on the of the tail is a classic sign of deficiency.

[myrtlelane]

It could be just something as simple as Low Iodine. Just take some iodine and drizzle it down the spine. It is NOT always lack of Copper. You also do need the Iodine for absorbtion. We have had this happen a couple of times with one goat in particular and Iodine always did the trick.

[myrtlelane]

You will also find that to Much Copper can and will cause Hair Loss,- Just something to think about and to much copper is not always good.

[KrisD]

Excess copper is EXTREMELY rare in goats. It would be first case of excess copper in goats that I have ever even heard of. It is far easier in other species to over do copper to toxic levels. Goats require high copper levels and most soils are deficient. Also selenium can hinder absorption as can other heavy metals. A picture would sure help.

What would drizzling iodine down the spine do? After the hair absorbed most of it very little would be absorbed through the skin I would think.

[Alice In TX/MO]

The way to treat with iodine is to paint it on the hairless skin under her tail.

http://7thundersranch.blogspot.com/2...-in-goats.html