Scours

[paris3200]

We purchased 3 Nigerian Dwarfs on May 17th. We got one doe on her 2nd freshening and two kids that were born this spring. After having them for just shy of a week the younger of the kids got to having scours. 24 hours later the second kid had the same problem.

After removing all grain from their diet it didn't seem to be improving. I had just gotten some herbal dewormer so I gave them some of that. That didn't seem to help so I ended up giving them some SafeGuard (Fenbendazole) on 5/29. I used the dosage listed on the bottle. The older of the kids cleared up without any problem. The younger appeared to clear up as well.

However the younger kid now has scours just as bad if not worse than before. I'm at a loss as to what to do now. I've been giving her electrolytes to try and keep her hydrated.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to make sure I included all the details I could think of. Any ideas?

[mekasmom]

Probiotics and even some antibiotics like dimethox (coccidia) would be my first choice. And, of course, it is always the best option to call your vet too.

[Minelson]

I bet safeguard and herbal wormer is not working in your area. But they seem too young to have worms to me but maybe not. I would start them on Cocci meds right away. Here is a link
http://fiascofarm.com/goats/coccidiosis.htm

Of course having a fecal test done will help pinpoint what is going on....

[Alice In TX/MO]

Coccidia is my first guess, too.

How old are the kids? What meds have they had before they came to you?

Safeguard is effective against tapeworms, but not coccidia or barberpole worms.

A fecal test by a vet is an excellent suggestion.

I recommend that you do some reading about raising kids. There are several preventive steps you may want to take.

I have summarized info here: http://quirkygoatfarm.blogspot.com/2...-schedule.html

Another good place to start is http://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/index.htm#kids

[Backfourty,MI.]

I would also think Coccidosis 1st & suggest treating with Di-Methox 40% injectible given orally.
Also if your going to use herbal wormers fecals really should be done before giving them & then again afterwards to make sure they are working for your goats. They don't work everywhere for everyone.

Here is a link to the treatment & prevention dosages for coccidosis meds.
http://www.dairygoatinfo.com/f28/dif...s-doses-21499/

[Backfourty,MI.]

Originally Posted by mekasmom

Probiotics and even some antibiotics like dimethox (coccidia) would be my first choice. And, of course, it is always the best option to call your vet too.

Di-Methox isn't an antibiotic.

[harvestmoonfarm]

Have they been tested for Johnne's? Canned pumpkin will work for scours with no obvious medical cause.

[Minelson]

Too young for Johnes testing. They should be 1.5 years old for a more reliable unreliable test

[o&itw]

Originally Posted by Backfourty,MI.

Di-Methox isn't an antibiotic.

It is not an antibiotic in the sense that is not "mold" derived and is therefore more often classified as an anti-bacterial, but since it is a sulfa product that has the same usage, it is often lumped with antibiotics.

From Wikipedia: "Sulfadimethoxine (trade name Di-Methox, Albon) is a sulfonamide antibiotic."

[Alice In TX/MO]

Just an info post about the causes of diarrhea.

Coccidia = protozoa
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/U/UNP-0109/UNP-0109.pdf

Enterotoxemia = caused by clostridium bacteria
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/livestk/08018.html

E coli = bacteria
(I've got to get ready to milk. I'll find a good link later.)
This link is almost humorous. Written in India and translated, I think. It refers to goats as the "poor man's cow." It is about e coli.
http://veterinaryworld.org/Vol.2/Apr...20Goat%20w.pdf

Pretty good article about diarrhea in sheep and goats:
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/scours.html

[Backfourty,MI.]

Originally Posted by o&itw

It is not an antibiotic in the sense that is not "mold" derived and is therefore more often classified as an anti-bacterial, but since it is a sulfa product that has the same usage, it is often lumped with antibiotics.

From Wikipedia: "Sulfadimethoxine (trade name Di-Methox, Albon) is a sulfonamide antibiotic."

I meant an antibiotic in the form of PenG, LA2oo, Nuflor, etc. A lot of new folks here that have just got goats. Just don't want anyone to be confused & think it's an antibiotic like used for pneumonia, infection, etc.

[wintrrwolf]

I give probiotics everytime I give any kind of med, anytime I change feed, anytime there has been a major stressor like relocation, it has saved me so many times.
Scours (ick) I have only had an issue with a young one with scours that I got from an unknown person, she had treated all her baby goats with ...safeguard for goats.
this 4 month old got scours so bad it was like colored water, hit her up with Sulfa(Sulmet)(3 days in a row), pepto, probiotic top dressed on feed. After 2nd dose of Sulfa she cleared up, still gave her the last dose and 21 days later I treated her again.
The pepto will help with scours as well
the electrolytes is a good idea if your able to replace the lost nutrients as fast as they are losing them with the scours.
Getting the scours to stop is number one priority.
My first thought was cocci, sorry they like the enviroment caused by stress...

I wanted to add that when I got pawnee from pony, pebbles from yarrow, and skittles from pygmybabies none had issue with scours, so when I said unknown person this is because I don't know her practices.
Herbal remedies can be great but from my understanding they are best used for control, not really good for killing the dosage you would have to use could kill the livestock, and yes you can OD on herbs hehe

[paris3200]

Thanks everyone for all the information. I ended up getting Di-Methox sent overnight. I couldn't find anyone locally that carried it.

I gave her the second dose today. I am still giving her electrolytes. Hopefully between the two she will be healthy soon.