A case of scours in goat kids

Authors: Lane RH
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 35, Issue 4, pp 58-59, Apr 1987
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Goat, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Abdomen, Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Disease/defect, Diet/rations/food, Nutrition/metabolism
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Automatic feeders are commonly used to rear goat kids. The efficiency of these feeders should be considered when investigating the cause of scours in kids as the following case illustrates. Forty kids on one property were reared on an automatic feeder from 12-24 hours after birth. Scouring began when the automatic feeder was introduced. The area in which the kids were housed was kept clean and the feeder was cleaned thoroughly each day. I was called in on the seventh day of scouring to investigate the problem. Faecal samples were negative for coccidiosis and bacterial enteritis. The following history was obtained from the owner. The owner calibrated the feeder daily. Initially the feeder was set at 120g Denkovit/litre water. Daily fluctuations varied by ±30g milkpowder for 7 days. The manufacturer had been consulted by the owner and initially suggested power fluctuations were causing the alterations in milk powder output. However at the time of checking the machine each day there were no power fluctuations…

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