very anemic goat

[VKat]

You don't have to wait for a vet for a fecal sample. You can take one and mail it off to a testing lab.
Yes it takes a long time for them to come back from bad anemia.
Most minerals do not supply enough copper. I would bolus her as soon as you get them in, the tray according to symptoms until you very an idea of how often she might need bolused. Each goat is different as to how often they need bolused.

Thanks!
That is great! I'm going to get a sample today to send! ....o wait....if the freshness of a specimen is important, and I'm guessing it is, would it be better to get a sample now- and keep it in the fridge until I can post it on Friday? Or should I just get a sample on Friday and take that directly to the post office?
I live up the side of a mountain and do not have a regular mailbox. The soonest I will be able to get to town is Friday

Also I just gave them their second dose of Ivomec (oral dose at 2.75 cc for a 78 lb animal on Selma) will that effect the testing- should I get a sample now, and another in a few days to send both and compare?

I gave them the wormer early this morning so they would have it before their breakfast ration of pellets and supplements

 

[aprille218]

Does your area have liver flukes in it? The most common cause of goat death for my area is heavy fluke infestation. So deworming with Ivomec Plus or orally with Valbazen is required here.
Aprille

 

[VKat]

Does your area have liver flukes in it? The most common cause of goat death for my area is heavy fluke infestation. So deworming with Ivomec Plus or orally with Valbazen is required here.
Aprille

Thank you for the info.
I sent fecal samples to a lab for testing. I'm waiting to hear back what they find.

I'm also going to be sending blood samples from Selma to be tested for CAE and to make sure she isn't pregnant.
I don't think she is, but it could be possible since all the goats were in a big group mixed together on the farm I got her from.
I want to make sure before I give her any more meds.

 

[H Diamond]

Valbazen can cause abortion, so don't give it to pregnant does in their first 45 days. I just don't give it to pregnant does to be safe. There are other wormers that can be used safely, so it's one less worry for me.

 

[VKat]

Valbazen can cause abortion, so don't give it to pregnant does in their first 45 days. I just don't give it to pregnant does to be safe. There are other wormers that can be used safely, so it's one less worry for me.

Yeah I read that and isn't there a risk of birth defects with one too?
I'm hoping to find out for sure what the parasite is and then I can know the best course of action. I've been doing all the vet I talked to said, and she's acting perfectly normal, but she is still so thin and pale.

 

[enola]

Can you post a side profile picture of each of your goats?

 

[aprille218]

Yes Valbazen can cause abortions within the first 45 days of pregnancy, using it after that is fine. No birth defects. I use it for my animals multiple times a year. Use Ivomec Plus instead if it makes you feel safer. Ask your vet but fecal samples will not pick up all liverflukes or some of the other types of worms nor be very accurate since you just gave more dewormer. I'm a vet tech, we always tell people to get a new sample 1 month after giving the last dose of dewormer. But bloodwork for CAE is a good idea.
Aprille

 

[VKat]

Thank you Aprille. That is very good to know. I sent samples and will plan to repeat that a month after the last dose.
Please make sure I have this right?

1st dose.
2nd dose is 10 days after
3rd dose another 10 days
4th dose 30 days after the 3rd
then 30 days and test again

Is that right?

So far I am seeing a huge improvement in the younger goat, her name is "Mayhem" that I got along with Selma. They have had 2 doses of Ivomec, and Copasure given. Now all the flakiness is gone from Mayhem's coat, and it looks more shiny. She looks great! She is growing well too.
Selma has a lot of energy, and I think she may be improving as well, just much more slowly. But she was far worse off and is older so I guess that's to be expected. Her eyelid is still very pale, but I think I'm finally seeing a little pink come back. I really should get a photo to post here for opinions.
I am still sending the blood for testing, I just have to get someone to help me draw the sample so that hasn't happened yet.

 

[aprille218]

Yes that is the correct dosing schedule for Ivomec or Ivomec plus.
Aprille

 

[VKat]

Here is a photo of her lid color.



It still looks really pale to me.