Need advice on adopted goat

[Wildsky]

Quote:
Yeah she's probably never SEEN goat food.

Is she eating hay at all? Perhaps put a bunch of the hay ina bucket (if she's eating hay) and put a little goat food on top.

 

[stilwellchick]

Yes, she eats hay. I feed free choice alfalfa. I was told she was eating grass hay where she lived before. I tried putting a small amount of chicken scratch on her food and she did nibble a bit more today. I will try some molasses. I gave my goats a TSC protein pail before and they all got clumpy poo. I switched to Purina loose minerals. Everyone got normal poo again. Same thing happened with my friend's herd. But do you think I should get the pail out again? I don't know if I mentioned she has a withered hind leg from frost bite injury when she was born. She really only uses 3 legs. She got pregnant and labored 12 hrs to kid stillborn triplets about two years ago I am told. We don't have any bucks here so no danger of that again. I don't think her life has been an easy one but she will get the best care possible here. It's ridiculous how pampered my dogs, chickens and goats are. I love them all and they are my friends as well as pets. Thank you all for your help.

 

[Skyesrocket]

I would check her mouth for sores. Seems wierd for a goat not to eat grain.
Then I would worm her with a wormer for tapeworms. Many times when an animal has a punky looking coat, it turns out that they have tapes. This includes horses, dogs, cats...
It sounds like she will have a good life with you. Pictures, plz!

 

[stilwellchick]

Okay, I will get a fecal done for tapes and try to look inside her mouth. I may have the vet come out just to look her over and give an opinion also. She only picks at the chow. I tried making a buffet in a feed dish with 2 types of chow, a few raisons, some BOSS, a bit of molasses. I put everything in sections in the big bowl to see what she would go for. She just kind of sniffs and picks a bit. She eats alfalfa well. Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[Chatychick]

This time of year you probably wont see any worm eggs as they are smart and arent laying eggs. Its just adult worms right now, so I would go ahead and worm to kill the adult worms. Also it can take them a bit to get adjusted to feed and it can shock the system if they arent used to grains. I would keep it simple till she gets to where she is eating a bit. Did you get a temp on her? Sometimes a upset tummy will prevent them from eating even if they are starving.
Changes in feeds sometimes will do that and I give mine baking soda to help or if a temp some banamine. Hang in there it might take a bit for her.

 

[Skyesrocket]

Tapes won't show up in a fecal usually. They drop segments off of their bodies. You can check her fur around her butt for dried rice type looking things. Those would be the tapes segments.
It could be an adjustment period for her. Don't do too much of anything too fast.
Keep us updated.

 

[stilwellchick]

Thanks for the help. I have free choice baking soda out as well as free choice minerals. I think you are right about her getting adjusted because she was an only goat except for an elderly buck that was penned to not get near her. Maybe part of the adjustment is just learning to be a member of a small herd/family. She did nibble a bit more this morning than previously. I am feeding her in my milking parlor so no competition. She does seem to clean and bother about her teats often and I have not seen dry does do this as often as she does. Seems kind of odd. I will post updates. Thank you all again for your help. I can always count on the BYC forum pals!

 

[stilwellchick]

Goat update. Had the vet out today. He said some goats don't care much for grain but as long as she is eating good alfalfa she is fine. She had some slight signs of eye infection and gave me some ointment to use. He thought that the fact that she bothers about her teats a lot was just a trait of hers. I did get some more info on her though. She never had treats before and never had goat chow before but did eat cat food often. She never had her hooves trimmed because she had lots of rocks to climb on. (?) She has done well for 4 years given that I guess. I am ready for lots of TLC on the this one. She has started picking at a bit more food (goat chow) each day. Thanks everyone for your help and support.

 

[nightshade]

Quote:
One thing I have found with rescues is if you try to feed them something they never have had before ( like the pelleted food) will only pick at it or reject it completely at first. It may take time and her watching the other goats eat for her to decide she too should eat it.

 

[coberdor]

Add some CocoSoya to her feed. It's the good omega 3 fatty oil. You can get it at horse tack shops or feed stores. It works wonders on coats. I use it to keep my mom's Westie's coat in good condition and her skin from drying out.