My 3 mo. old goat is looking awfully pot bellied....

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread

I did deworm her with ivermec when I got her last week. Do you think she could still have worms or are young goats naturally kind of pot bellied?

I'm new to goats so I'm still learning.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Anita

-- anita holton (anitaholton@mindspring.com), August 22, 2001

Answers

Because it takes so long for a goat to recover from worms or cocci, is the reason you want to keep them healthy. Sounds like it is very good that she found you! Though the initial worming will have killed alot of the worms, I would reworm her in 10 days from the first worming, I would also put her on a sulfa for cocci. Even with this worming and cocci treatment she will be awhile before she sleeks up a bit. What do her mucous membranes, mouth, gums and eyelids look like, pale or pink? Pale and she is anemic, goat nutradrench and b vitamins would help. Remember to make all changes, which is everything with her, very slowly, slowly increasing her grain even though she would want to eat much more. Putting out only little handfulls of loose minerals, and perhaps some baking soda. Good luck with your new goat, they are wonderful!

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), August 22, 2001.

Vicky always gives such excellent advise that it's hard to add anything constructive. My only question is what breed of goat is she? If she is a pygmy or nigerian dwarf, these breeds tend to be a bit more pot-bellied than others. I would still go with what Vicky says even if it is one of these breeds since a 3 month old goat of any breed shouldn't be too pot-bellied.

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), August 23, 2001.

Is Potbellied a sign of worms?

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), August 25, 2001.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ