Are there any geneticists here? I have some questions about the merle gene, and I am not really sure where to go for answers. In my college genetics class, I was told that it was a lethal gene and that animals that were homozygous for the trait died in utero and were never born at all. I have...
Call the manufacturer. That is what I do. Most of them have a customer help line. Look on the label. It should be listed there in fine print. Have you had a fecal run yet? They are not expensive, and they will tell you what the worm load is, if any.
I thought of two other things that could...
She is a goat. No telling. There is a reason the word capricious comes from the Latin word for goat. It does sound to me like she is very close. You might chart her temperature. It drops just before kidding. Or at least the books say it does. I never did that myself. All you can do is to keep...
It has been quite a number of years since I last had goats and used BoSe. I am not familiar with the gel form. In fact, it may not have even been available then. If the label says use every 30 days, then use it every 30 days. Hopefully your boy will start improving. I really can't think of...
Selenium deficiency is selenium deficiency and it doesn't matter much if it is a goat, cow, sheep, or a camel. Unless you have good reason to suspect a copper deficiency do not give a copper bolus. Who told you to give selenium every 30 days? I would double check that. He probably needs more...
You treat the anemia by worming him. Your best bet is to collect a stool sample and have it tested for parasite load and then go from there. A fecal test should not be expensive. Ask what wormers are effective in your area. For that matter the guy at the feed store might know. Unless you have...
I bought mine from a large commercial dairy that showed a lot. Try contacting breeders that have very good animals and tell them you want to buy a brood doe. You do want to make sure such a doe is sound and healthy and is in good breeding condition. A lot of times breeders will have older does...
Just keep an eye on her. Watch for a discharge of mucous. When labor begins, she will start breathing faster. Also, the tail bone will become very loose.
I forgot to mention anemia. As Everose says, just pull down the lower eyelid and look at the inside. It should be a dark pink. If it is pale pink or white he is anemic. The paler it is the more anemic he is. Any soft swelling on the lower jaw? That is a sign of bottle jaw and it means he is...
Only if they are exceptional animals. I used to buy wonderful well-bred high producing show does that were past their prime. That way I could get outstanding kids that otherwise I could never afford to buy. Old does would probably not do well as brush goats because their teeth may be worn down.
If that is the case the problem is primarily one of poor udder conformation rather than barn sanitation, or lack of it. Udders like that are prone to injury and/or infection no matter what. Plus, they are a nightmare to milk.
The fact that she is getting up is good. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for her to get up and move around. You might want to go in the barn three or four times a day to make her move. This is to prevent ketosis, or pregnancy toxemia which is very serious and can be deadly. If...
Does he act like he is blind? Does he press his head against the wall like he has a headache? If so, he has polio. Polio is caused by a thiamine deficiency. That is treated by injections of thiamine. You have to get thiamine from the vet. Another possibility is white muscle which is a selenium...