Two goats losing hair and have flakey skin.

[Mandaashley21]

I have 4 Nigerian dwarf goats all 1 year old. Over the last couple months two have had really dry skin and dandruff. I have well water so I thought maybe it was a copper deficiency. One goat lost weight but once I gave him a copper bolus, he went back to normal weight but his skin is still dry and his hair seems to still be thinning. My doe had dry skin as well but over the last 2 weeks I’m noticing hair loss around her eyes and nose. I gave her a copper Bolus as well 2 days ago. They’re all eating, drinking and acting normal. I’m so freaked out that they haven’t gotten better. Any advice is appreciated!!

 

[Hens and Roos]

Welcome glad you joined us! Have you checked them for external parasites like mites or lice? I'll tag a few others

@B&B Happy goats @Goat Whisperer @Southern by choice @OneFineAcre @Devonviolet

 

[OneFineAcre]

Hair loss around eyes can be mites or zinc deficiency
With the other symptoms I would guess mites

 

[Rammy]

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[Mandaashley21]

They have no external parasites and I had a fecal done on the male when he lost weight initially and it came back negative.
The only other thing I can think of is that there is a lilac bush in their pen that they have been snacking on. I’ve heard mixed things about lilacs but they snacked on the leaves last year and were fine. I cut it down a few hours ago just in case.
I haven’t considered a zinc deficiency but I will look that up right now.
Thanks so much for the help!

 

[OneFineAcre]

Did you have a skin scrape test for mites?

 

[Southern by choice]

Agree with @One Fine Acre

Nites are microscopic so just because you can't see them doesn't mean they are not there. The down side to skin scraping is unless they scrape right where a mite is then it will come up negative.

Generally you determine by evidence seen. One goat may have more of a reaction then another goat.
Both mites and lice feed off the animal and can cause weight loss due to anemia.

Deficiency is common where you have lice or mite issues.
Deficiency also lowers the body's immune system and they can be more prone to getting them.
Often the two go hand in hand.
The splotches are more disturbing because when you see blotches it is more indicative of fungal.
Mites and Lice are prevalent in the winter and peak and become active in the springtime once it starts warming up.

There are burrowing mites and non-burrowing mites. Mites can cause extreme itching, chewing, rubbing, lesions, secondary skin/bacterial infections, weight loss, anemia, dry flaky skin, hair loss, crusty skin, and areas of complete baldness especially around the eyes and ears. Mites can be more problematic that lice, they are also very difficult to identify.

While looking at zinc deficiency keep in mind that minerals depend on other minerals. Calcium depletes zinc so herds that feed high calcium feeds need to adjust for zinc. Cobalt is essential and most minerals lack adequate cobalt.

What kind of minerals are you feeding?

Check for anemia as well.

 

[Mandaashley21]

Agree with @One Fine Acre

Nites are microscopic so just because you can't see them doesn't mean they are not there. The down side to skin scraping is unless they scrape right where a mite is then it will come up negative.

Generally you determine by evidence seen. One goat may have more of a reaction then another goat.
Both mites and lice feed off the animal and can cause weight loss due to anemia.

Deficiency is common where you have lice or mite issues.
Deficiency also lowers the body's immune system and they can be more prone to getting them.
Often the two go hand in hand.
The splotches are more disturbing because when you see blotches it is more indicative of fungal.
Mites and Lice are prevalent in the winter and peak and become active in the springtime once it starts warming up.

There are burrowing mites and non-burrowing mites. Mites can cause extreme itching, chewing, rubbing, lesions, secondary skin/bacterial infections, weight loss, anemia, dry flaky skin, hair loss, crusty skin, and areas of complete baldness especially around the eyes and ears. Mites can be more problematic that lice, they are also very difficult to identify.

While looking at zinc deficiency keep in mind that minerals depend on other minerals. Calcium depletes zinc so herds that feed high calcium feeds need to adjust for zinc. Cobalt is essential and most minerals lack adequate cobalt.

What kind of minerals are you feeding?

Check for anemia as well.

Thank you, I have a good vet, should I bring them in to get tested/ treated or is this something I can do at home? Is there harm in treating them for mites preventively, and if not what would you recommend. I’ve done a little research but it makes me nervous to use such harsh chemicals on their already dry skin if it’s not necessary.
They have free access to manna pro loose goat minerals and then I put TruCare goat minerals on as a top dress on their food.
They eat 2nd cut hay and I give timothy grass pellets to supplement which was recommended by my vet to reduce chances of urinary calculi.
I change their bedding every 2-4 days depending on need, their housing is never dirty.
Thank you for the help!!

 

[Southern by choice]

Typically most treat at home. Not all chemicals are harsh and they have their place.
I explain the difference between the all natural pyrethrum and permethrin on my website. You can view that if you like.

I avoid pyrethrum at all costs and prefer the synthetic version.
Sounds like you have adequate minerals, are they eating them?
Mites/Lice are not necessarily from dirty environments. You can pick them up in hay, in your fields etc.
Always good to consult with your veterinarian.

 

[Daxigait]

Welcome glad you joined us! Have you checked them for external parasites like mites or lice? I'll tag a few others

@B&B Happy goats @Goat Whisperer @Southern by choice @OneFineAcre @Devonviolet

That would be my first thought is lice or mites. Lice are the easiest of the two to treat cuz you can just do a pour on for the top of their head to the tail and back and it's cheaper than the stuff for mites.
This is what my vet who raises goats too often has me use. I just feel like an old dwtergent bottle and adults get from the top of their head to the tail and back and kids get from the top of their head to their tail dock once a month. You also need to consider spraying like with permethrin II or some other equivalence pray wherever they like to lay around and sheds and stuff.