Oh ND friends, I do wish I could post a photo! but unable. I have a buck that for the first time has presented with a "thinning of hair look" about his eyes and around his mouth...and then some mottling pink-red around his mouth -really on one side of his mouth, not both. It leads me to think it is urine scalding, perhaps, as he always turns his head in that one direction...but this would be a first (and he has peed on himself plenty n years past). At this point, if it were 'sore mouth', surely it would have spread to the rest by now (as its been about 2 weeks present). Because of the sparse forage growth this summer and the abundance of Polygonum pensylvanicum... I looked into any toxicity with that plant and found this: "Key potential risks to human health include: photosensitivity if ingested by man or beast—but most often by beast; mild dermatitis if handled; and potential hay fever from voluminous light weight pollen, a bit unusual in a plant that attracts so many pollinators." http://www.nancytheweedlady.com/?p=1078
This is the first time any of the goats have turned up with a problem. Nothing really has changed on the homefront except its been so dry (after a record-breaking amount of rainfall in June...which may be why the smartweed is abundant this year) ...so dry, that forage has not been growing and I've been feeding hay all summer.
I'll be interested in your thoughts shared! As I am not online at home, I'll have to catch you later.
Sandra in Ohio
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High iron can cause problems with copper deficiency. My bucks had a much worse time with copper deficiency than my does for a couple of reasons. (1) They always got well water, whereas the does got a lot of rain water 6-7 months a year because we have downspouts on the barn. (2) Does got grain on the milk stand, which had added copper, whereas the bucks did not. (3) I was not as good about filling up their mineral feeder because I wasn't in their pen every day like I am with the does.
Giving copper oxide wire particles (COWP) is safe for goats and sheep, even without knowing exact liver levels. Blood levels are worthless because goats will be extremely deficient before it shows up as deficient in their blood. Giving 1 gram per 22 pounds is standard, and I recommend Copasure.
thank you so much for your shared knowledge, Deborah. No hair loss on the bridge of the nose. Well water report has high iron content noted. I have procrastinated getting a filter set-up on the simple frost-proof yard hydrant.....I need to find out what will work to connect onto the hydrant.
Presently still limited to the buck- whatever is going on.
feed lately has been boss, pumpkin, apples, garlic, small amount of goat chow, manna pro, and calf manna (recent addition - about 3 weeks), periodically pine boughs and willow. usually he receives kelp as well, but I have been out for 2 months. and timothy/grass hay- not much browse this summer (nothing has been growing. very dry). Would it be alright to provide more copper (without checking blood level)?
Sandra
Losing hair on the bridge of the nose and around the eyes is usually caused by copper deficiency. Sore mouth would have caused scabs, and you didn't mention that. Plus, as you said, it's highly contagious, so your whole herd would have it by now.
Sorry I don't know anything about that particular plant.