Chat
08-20-2014, 02:22 PM
I recently acquired (was given) a 3.5 year old Saanen wether. I thought he might make a light-duty packgoat, but the problem is he is VERY skinny!
Shortly after I got the goat I took him to the vet hospital at WSU for a thorough check-up. Unfortunately, he tested positive for CAE and the vet said he shows some mild swelling due to arthritis in his front knees, for which the vet prescribed anti-inflammatory medication. However, other than that, and a mild parasite infestation (which was also treated) he seemed healthy and the vet attributed his skinniness to simple poor nutrition.
How skinny? Well, he's 35" tall and weighs 115 lbs. - a full 100 lbs less than another Saanen wether I have that is the same height.
My primary concern at this point what kind of diet I can put him on to help him put on weight as quickly as possible, as I don't know if he will be able to survive a cold winter with virtually no body fat. I'm not really worried about a diet that might increase his odds of bladder stone formation; at this point I think that's a secondary concern.
What do you guys recommend?
Shortly after I got the goat I took him to the vet hospital at WSU for a thorough check-up. Unfortunately, he tested positive for CAE and the vet said he shows some mild swelling due to arthritis in his front knees, for which the vet prescribed anti-inflammatory medication. However, other than that, and a mild parasite infestation (which was also treated) he seemed healthy and the vet attributed his skinniness to simple poor nutrition.
How skinny? Well, he's 35" tall and weighs 115 lbs. - a full 100 lbs less than another Saanen wether I have that is the same height.
My primary concern at this point what kind of diet I can put him on to help him put on weight as quickly as possible, as I don't know if he will be able to survive a cold winter with virtually no body fat. I'm not really worried about a diet that might increase his odds of bladder stone formation; at this point I think that's a secondary concern.
What do you guys recommend?