learning about selenium

TRAILRIDER · #1 10/19/12, 11:37 AM

My saanen doe is at another farm being bred now, while she was there my friend took some pics (which I'll share later). She called this AM and asked if I wanted her to give the doe some selenium. I've been having trouble trimming her feet, her hind feet get a bit snow shoe looking real quick. The same thing happened to my other doe when she was in milk. All this time I thought it was me! My other goats have never had this problem just the two in milk. Apparently they were "back on thier pasterns" due to a lack of selenium. Now I wonder if lacking selenium had anything to do with both my girls not getting pregnant last year? I'm going to get some selenium from my vet and give all the goats thier dose this weekend. Pics to follow soon.

where I want to · #2 10/19/12, 01:00 PM

Selenium is a really tricky thing. Absolutely neccessary but toxic if too much.
In my area the local vets have an extra rich selenium mineral mix for goat as it is a low selenium area. But I think that I "overdosed" them with selenium even though I fed it at the specified rate. Their hooves started rolling over and no amount of trimming fixed it. It stopped when I stopped the mineral mix.
I can see the effect of selenium on my horses- they grow a lot faster with a selenium fortified mineral mix (also supplied by the local vet.)

Ford Zoo · #3 10/19/12, 01:43 PM

I had no idea selenium levels effected hooves that way!

Alice In TX/MO · #4 10/19/12, 02:59 PM

I have a doe who goes down in her pasterns when she needs Selenium.

CaliannG · #5 10/19/12, 03:05 PM

You don't see the hoof effect as much in milkers, because they put a LOT of selenium in their milk. But yes, you can see selenium in hooves, especially in dry does, bucks, and wethers. If they are getting plenty, they will have quick-growing, flexible hooves. Short, brittle, cracked hooves definitely show a problem with selenium deficiency!

And yes, with a good amount of selenium in their diet, you have to trim hooves regularly, or they will roll over and they won't break off. ~smiles~ Healthy, well-fed, well mineraled goats have FAST growing hooves!

Oh, same with horns, too. Goats with good minerals, plenty of protein in their diet, and varied browse will grow longer, stouter, better horns than those who are deficient. You can see a record of a goat's diet and care in their horns.

TRAILRIDER · #6 10/20/12, 08:41 AM

This pic was taken by the owner of the buck to which my doe is being bred. I know you can't see her feet : ) But I just wanted you to see her. When I took her out of the car my friend Amy (who has the buck and also sold me this doe) kept saying "Why did I sell her?" Amy insists I should let her show the doe at the state fair next year. I have no interest in showing myself, but I love the fair so I might just take her up on it.
learning about selenium - Goats

Ford Zoo · #7 10/20/12, 09:52 AM

TrailRider, forgive my not knowing-what breed is she?

noeskimo · #8 10/20/12, 10:23 AM

Nice doe

where I want to · #9 10/20/12, 11:45 AM

Selenium can cause faster hoof growth but it can also cause distortions in hoof growth if it is too high. It is one of those things where more is not neccessarily better. Caution needs to be applied.
One of the troubles with selenium is it is abundant in some areas, where it is easy to over supplement, and low in others, where supplementtation is needed. Most products limit their selenium content so that people in areas where it is abundant don't poison their animals. In consequence, the supplements can be too low in selenium for those in deficient areas.
It's one of those things that needs caution in both directions. You need to know what your area can supply.