Goats losing hair! ???

[midwestmilkmaiden]

I have 2 pregnant Togg does.. about 3 months along. I started noticing one of them had a funny looking coat so checkin' her out saw that it looks like she's lost a ton of hair .. her coat is barely there.. so checked out the other mama and her coats getting really coarse and different looking..
So.. i'm wondering if it could be from their pregnancy or lice or worms??? I did worm them in the spring so that makes me continue to wonder!... Help please.

 

[helmstead]

Probably all of the above.

You wormed them last spring?

Hair loss is usually caused by one or a combination of the following:
external parasites
copper or selenium deficiency
internal parasites
stress/other illness

If they were here, I'd hit them hard with Ivermec, dosing them every 10 days for 3-4 treatments. That will take care of your internal AND external parasites. Also, for good measure, get some vit E and selenium in them either by injection or gel. Copper bolus, too.

 

[Chatychick]

I agree with Kate there and get a copper bolus in them also. Get Bo-se from the vet as its a RX item. I worm mine at least each season or unless I see that their eyelids are pale or gums and when that happens they are anemic and need Iron. Yep they need Bo-se and copper and worming. Then you will see a big difference. With them being PG that takes a hard toll on them any way. Good luck

 

[midwestmilkmaiden]

Thank You!.. Is the Bo-se safe during pregnancy?? i take it the minerals are safe for them at this time.
thanks again..

 

[helmstead]

Yes all of the above is not only safe, but recommended during pregnancy. Good luck!

 

[abluechipstock]

get some sweetlix meat maker loose minerals, that is the best in my opinion, i saw a difference in my goats a week after i started giving it

 

[cutiepieacres]

I am on the other end of the spectrum I wont give any medications to my goats unless they need a specific medication. I would get a skin scraping and fecal first and see if there are parasites that need to be treated if not a blood test can show if they have a deficiency.

If you are not in a selenium or copper deficient area and they are getting good quality hay then neither bo-se or copper bolus are necessary, check with your local cooperative extension and see how your hay and soil are in that area is or you can get a blood test to see if your own goats have an actual deficiency.

None of my pregnant girls get any medications during pregnancy, they are up to date on vaccines and de-worming before breeding and unless there is an issue that puts mom or baby at risk they get nothing the whole time. It does sound like you have somthing going on that needs to be treated but I personally wouldnt go in with everything available all at once when I was not sure what the problem was in the first place.