Goat discharge

[Elias]

We have an 8 week old doe that is developmentally behind other kids her age as far as jumping, romping etc. She is bottle-fed and eats hay but is just starting to nibble at grain. Otherwise she is very healthy and active. She had some diarrhea this morning so I gave her 4 oz of electrolytes with her 10 oz of formula for kid. We noticed a white discharge after her bowel movement. What could be the cause of this? She is too young to be in heat and is not with other goats. She is a boer/nubian breed.

[GoatGirl123]

I do not have an answer to the discharge problem, but just a quick tip, kids don't really need grain. We don't give any goats grain unless they're pregnant. Also, as for the diarrhea, one of our bottle kids had this happen to him until we stopped watering down his milk, and once he got diarrhea because we gave him regular cows' milk by accident. Sorry, but I just don't know why your goat would get discharge. I wish you luck!

[Alice In TX/MO]

Coccidia prevention? She's right at the three week + point for the beginning of coccidia trouble.

Formula as in store bought replacer? ICK! No. Causes more trouble than not.

Don't do electrolytes. Get goat milk or whole cow milk for the store.

[mygoat]

Originally Posted by GoatGirl123

kids don't really need grain. We don't give any goats grain unless they're pregnant.

This largely depends on your management, feed availability, and demands required for growth. We creep feed grain to kids here - I want doelings breedable by fall, and the milk supply varies every year. The best way to keep them growing after weaning is with grain. I start them on grain as soon as they're nibbling.

As for diarrhea, I'd strongly suggest running a fecal and doing coccidia prevention/treatment if you don't already do that.

I second the whole milk thing. Your average local 'goat milk replacer' is crap, and 'unimilk' multi species formulas are even worse. Good stuff can be had, but it's usually special order. Chances are you can get whole Vit D cow's milk off store shelves for the same price/gallon as a quality replacer, and it's easier IMO.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I would also put that baby on coccidiosis prevention.
I also agree with Alice & Mygoat, Milk replacers are no good & whole milk from the store is better for them if you don't have straight goats milk.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Also recommending reading about goat care in general. It's a HUGE complex project.

http://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/index.htm

[GoatGirl123]

I agree with everyone on the Coccidiosis thing. If she has diarrhea and is developmentally behind everyone else, that's a pretty good sign she has it. Have you noticed her standing by herself with her back hunched? That would be another sign of Coccidia. Get a test done for sure!

[Alice In TX/MO]

I hope the original poster comes back to let us know what is happening.