Prevention Of Copper Toxicity In Goats

Copper toxicity in goats being fed branded feeds and minerals labeled for goats is on the rise. The NRC has yet to establish safe copper requirements and toxic levels for goats, especially in relation to other trace minerals in the diet. Producers lack the knowledge to make safe decisions concerning the proper feeding of their herds with currently marketed products, fed over the long-term. Indeed, since copper is a cumulative toxin, when copper is fed in excess of needs over periods of months or years, the silent poisonous liver copper bomb slowly reaches storage capacity and any stressor can cause sudden death when the bomb explodes.I am a Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat producer who found myself in this unenviable position. I lost many of my beloved goats tragically, by feeding nationally branded feeds and minerals labeled for goats. After spending thousands to discover the source of the “excess” copper, I discovered that the absolute amount of copper wasn’t necessarily the true cause, but rather the relative amount of copper in relation to other trace minerals.It shouldn’t take a graduate degree to feed goats without poisoning them in this country. If manufacturers cannot make products which are safe, then it is incumbent upon producers to know the risks of copper supplementation when making decisions for the welfare of their herds.To this aim, I am in need of assistance in completing liver biopsies, treatment and follow-up biopsies of individuals in my herd, studies to be widely published and available to the goat industry, veterinarians, nutritionists, and producers.Donors of $25 or more will receive a summary of our experience to date, with feed, water, mineral testing, and liver and kidney trace element analyses obtained. Thanks for furthering our understanding of copper needs and excess in relation to trace mineral intake as a whole. We hope to provide insight into protocols for reversal for accumulated copper stores which is becoming much too increasingly common. Any funds received in excess of project needs will be donated to Rural Veterinary Outreach, 501(c)3.