While
each mineral listed below is super important, it is just as important not to
overdose goats. Yes, you can overdose vitamins and minerals just like any other
medication! This is called mineral/vitamin toxicity or toxaemia. Before
introducing any supplements, be sure to talk to a licensed veterinarian, and
get blood work to confirm the diagnosis. This is especially important, since
many deficiencies include the same symptoms, making diagnosing often difficult.
A good quality loose mineral will help to fight against deficiencies, but some
geographical areas are worse off than others, requiring additional supplemental
support.
1. Copper
Typical
signs of deficiency include: hair loss on the tip of the tail known as
“fishtail,” crooked legs, stiff joints, diarrhoea, anaemia, loss of hair colour
(bleached out appearance), lameness, infertility or miscarriages, failure to
shed their winter coat, high parasite loads, hair loss around the eyes, poor
immune system, milk reduction, and even heart failure. Severe cases will
require a copper bolus.
2. Iodine
Iodine
deficiency can cause an array of symptoms: an enlarged thyroid, poor growth,
reduced milk production, pregnancy toxaemia, reproductive abnormalities, and
infertility to name a few. To treat, you simply paint the tail web with an
iodine solution. However, Iodine toxicity has a small margin of error;
therefore please consult a veterinarian before administering iodine.
3. Sodium
A low
sodium count can cause many issues, including but not limited to: heart issues,
muscle contractions, slow growth, tremors, poor appetite, and a lack of
coordination. When introducing salt or any minerals to their diets, make sure
an endless supply of water is available. Sodium toxaemia occurs when large
quantities of salt are introduced or water availability is low.
4. Vitamin A
A lack
of Vitamin A can cause a large array of issues: miscarriages, infertility, weak
babies, cough, raspy breathing, diarrhoea, decreased milk production, crooked head,
thick nasal discharge, and even hair loss. Vitamin A supplements are available
by injections, loose mineral or multi-vitamin pastes.
5. Vitamin B
There
are a lot of Vitamin Bs, therefore, you must make sure you are treating the
correct deficiency. Lack of thiamine (Vitamin B1) can cause any of the
following: anorexia, anaemia, tremors, odd gait, diarrhoea, infertility,
blindness, full-body weakness, dermatitis, “goat polio” causing severe
neurological problems, and low immune system. Thiamine (B1) requires a
prescription. Low Vitamin B-12 can cause many of the same symptoms, but is a
bit easier to treat with a Vitamin B Complex injection or paste which is
readily available over-the-counter (OTC).
6. Vitamin E
Vitamin
E deficiency seems to come out of nowhere, often-causing sudden death, heart
failure, severe fatigue, weak babies, stillbirths, the inability to stand or
walk, shortness of breath, muscle atrophy, white muscle disease, and
infertility in bucks.
7. Zinc
Low
Zinc can cause hair loss, diarrhoea, constant foot rot, depression, slow
healing wounds, sore feet, stiff joints, swollen joints, dermatitis, flaky
skin, foaming mouth, miscarriages, and poor appetite. Zinc deficiency affects
males much harder than females. It can cause males to be infertile or have low
sperm rates, hair loss of the testicles, and even create small testicles. It is
often caused by a diet high in alfalfa being fed to “dry” non-milking females
or male goats. The addition of Icelandic Kelp will help to maintain and fight
against this deficiency, and other Zinc supplements are available.
by Carrie Miller
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