Dandruff, itchy but no crawlies visible

[mzgarden]

One of our two dry nubian does has dandruff.  Has had it about 2 weeks but now has just started biting her tummy has a raw spot. I sprayed some blue kote on that tummy spot. She's up to date on her tests (CAE, CL, Johnes) all negative. Every day I part the hair along her back and I can't find anything moving. Temp and eye lids look normal, she's behaving normally other than the tummy biting.

They get Noble goat grain 1 cup each day, free choice grass and alfalfa hay, pasture browse, goat minerals and baking soda. I bolused copper 3 weeks ago and added a handful of BOSS. I wormed them both 3 days ago (Ivomec). I'm brushing frequently and it's too cold yet to give her a bath. I added NutriDrench today to try to up the nutrients.

I'm thinking maybe an external parasite even though I can't see anything.  Is Cylence the only option for a pour on?  If I gave Ivomec orally a few days ago (5 ml/125# doe) how long should I wait before I throw something more at her and I guess I should be thinking about a dust for her barn stall too?


The other goat that lives with her has no skin issues.

[Bear Foot Farm]

Try giving her some Vitamin E capsules in her food.

If she won't eat them, cut them open and drop the oil in her grain

Then when the weather allows, bathe her with "Mane 'n Tail" medicated shampoo

If you suspect it's an external parasite, you can add a few drops of Ivomec to the shampoo, but usually the lather will drown them

[Deleted]

I've been rubbing a bit of olive oil into Trub's coat for the same problem. It's helping.

[manygoatsnmore]

If you gave her Ivomec, that will kill lice, if she has them. They give it in pill form to people in 3rd world countries to get rid of lice. It seems like this is the time of year I always saw a bit of dandruff on my goats. I think some of it has to do with those long winter coats that hold shed skin cells. Slick summer coats (or a show shave) allows for that crud to drop out of the coat more easily, plus they can be brushed out more easily, too.

[mzgarden]

thanks everyone. I'm not sure if it's a parasite and I'm not experienced enough to know how long before I should see any difference after the Ivomec dose, if it is a parasite. So much to learn...... We bought a different brush - one that will take out the winter fluffy undercoat in hopes this will help. She sure likes to be brushed - her eyes roll back and she comes pretty close to purring. It's too cold to bath/shave yet - it was 33 degrees this morning, so that option has to wait. She has a vet appointment for Friday, just in case the sore on her tummy doesn't heal up, but it seems the blue kote has helped.

Thanks again, keep the ideas coming as we are pretty new goat parents and have no local mentor -- you guys are our go to folks.

[Deleted]

Sorry coming late to this one. I have 2 no 3 goats that every spring get the dandruff and itchy skin its not mites or lice I know this. I treat with an extra dose of Replamin plus and give weekly seems to clear up within 2-3 weeks.

[mzgarden]

wintrrwolf - I think what you're doing is what I'll do next year. I never found any evidence of bugs and the Ivomec didn't really seem to make a difference in the itchy skin.