Year Old Buck Not Doing Well..

[Helena]

Our year old buck was thriving and for the last few weeks hasn't done well. He seemed to become thin..so wormed him. Bose shot, and C & D also. Eats and nibbles his grain. Even gave him a quart of warm water with brown sugar last night. If he lays down or falls..can't get up on his own. About a week ago after he was looking poorly his mouth seemed swollen. thought possible bee sting.. swelling gone now No scours, nanny berries normal looking. I realize that he could see vet...but was hoping someone had a few thoughts. Husband said he is heading for auction "anyways"..but don't usually do that with my animals..That is why I have 4 bucks now.
Doesn't seem to be injured and been separated from older bucks for at least..a month now too. Any ideas..??

[Alice In TX/MO]

Lots of questions.....

What did you deworm him with? How much?

Has he had treatment for coccidia?

Did you do a fecal test?

What color are his inner lower eyelids?

Have you taken his temperature?

What minerals do you have out for him?

What are you feeding him? Does he have access to hay and/or browse?

[mygoat]

Swollen jaw sounds like classic bottle jaw from anemia due to worm load. Did it look something like this? :

Yes, we need to know more. Dewormed with what drug, at what dose?

At a year old, I wouldn't be worried about coccidia, personally. He could be stunted from intestinal damage in early life, but immunity is usually pretty in place after 6 months of age and should not cause continued damage or diarrhea from coccidiosis.

Otherwise, we need more info to help you if possible.

[Helena]

His jaw didn't look this large and swollen cheeks on his face. No scours, no temp. Has access to good hay and was out on grass also until lately..His eye lids do look pale..mineral block in pens with all goats. I will try and get an iron supplement into him..paste from store ?? Wormed him twice in last month with Ivermectin injections.Had to get him up again this am..then does fine walking around.

[Alice In TX/MO]

A few things we've learned....

Mineral blocks are not adequate for goats. They have smooth tongues and can't get enough mineral before they load up on salt or get tired of licking.

You need a good, high copper, loose mineral. If you can get Cargill's Right Now ONYX, that's a good one.

Ivomec is dosed on goats orally, not by injection, for the best effectiveness.

Take a fecal sample to the vet. If his eyelids are pale, he is anemic, and probably has an overload of barberpole worms.

[southerngurl]

Best thing for barberpole worm is either moxidectin (quest horse wormer- 1cc per 100 lbs or cydectin cattle pour on, ORALLY 1cc per 22 lbs) or levamisole (prohibit). Ivermectin doesn't work well in most herds anymore for it.

[mygoat]

Originally Posted by Helena

His jaw didn't look this large and swollen cheeks on his face. No scours, no temp. Has access to good hay and was out on grass also until lately..His eye lids do look pale..mineral block in pens with all goats. I will try and get an iron supplement into him..paste from store ?? Wormed him twice in last month with Ivermectin injections.Had to get him up again this am..then does fine walking around.

The picture above is a VERY severe version - I've seen it in varying degrees. I just tried to get a picture that showed a clear example. Some just get a bit of edema under their chin along the jawbone, some like the goat pictured get it all the way down the jawbone to a large degree and up the sides of the face a bit.

[Helena]

OK..vet called.. Giving a "vitamin" drench with iron since his eye lids are very pale..and ban-amine ..sort of like a human Tylenol. This helps in with the dying worms in him and comfort. He took the meds fine and is eating but not wanting to stand much on his own today. Pull to stand him several times..hope this isn't too late for him. Thanks for you help all..