My Goat Is…. Shedding?!

[Frindizzle]

Hello!


We currently have 3 goats. We have one Saanen, and she has recently been loosing a lot of hair. She keeps shedding.

We did think she was pregnant, but she keeps going in-heat, so we think she isn't anymore. She was born on May 15th, 2014.

Thanks For All Help & Suggestions!

 

[H Diamond]

What type of hair? Like her regular hair, or under coat soft fluffy hair? Or losing so much she has bald spots?
Probably a deficiency (more than likely zinc or copper, but there are other factors to consider). Pictures help, do you have any?
What do you have out for minerals for them? Is the tip of her tail bald? When was the last time they were wormed/had a fecal done?
We need more info before we can help you.

 

[H Diamond]

Also, have you checked the skin for lice/mites that sort of thing?

 

[Frindizzle]

What type of hair? Like her regular hair, or under coat soft fluffy hair? Or losing so much she has bald spots?
Probably a deficiency (more than likely zinc or copper, but there are other factors to consider). Pictures help, do you have any?
What do you have out for minerals for them? Is the tip of her tail bald? When was the last time they were wormed/had a fecal done?
We need more info before we can help you.

She is loosing her regular hair mostly. She doesn't have any bald spots.

I do have a picture of her when she was a baby, would that work?

We do have a regular goat mineral package and a salt block and mineral block and we have had goats for a while, but none of them have had the same problem as Cassy. And she was wormed about a month ago, I think.

 

[Frindizzle]

Also, have you checked the skin for lice/mites that sort of thing?

Yes, we have checked.

 

[mymilliefleur]

What type of hair? Like her regular hair, or under coat soft fluffy hair? Or losing so much she has bald spots?

X2?

She is probably just shedding her winter coat like our cows are doing now. Can you post a picture?

 

[Frindizzle]

Quote:
I'll try to get one today. I can describe our other goats back legs. She just started to bleed on her back legs, and lots of hair is falling out.

 

[H Diamond]

I'll try to get one today. I can describe our other goats back legs. She just started to bleed on her back legs, and lots of hair is falling out

That sounds very typical of mites. You need a skin scraping to confirm it. Other option, treat with Ivomec 1cc per 100lbs injectable and repeat in 7 days. Would almost guarantee you're having a bug problem if legs are bleeding and losing hair. Are they dry/flaky also?

 

[Frindizzle]

Quote:
Yes, they are dry and flaky. What is a skin scraping?

 

[H Diamond]

The vet scrapes some skin off and looks at it under a microscope to see if there are any bugs. Honestly if it were me, I'd just give everyone the ivermectin and see how they respond since you've waited this long. A mild antibacterial non drying gentle wash will help the area to avoid any infection also.
I usually don't advise to just treat something without knowing for sure, but these are classic symptoms.