mary
Full Member
Posts: 209
|
Post by mary on Aug 17, 2019 18:37:41 GMT
A few weeks ago I harvested a bunch of watermelons and commenced tossing rinds over the back fence where my goats scarfed them up. I didn't realize that my Number 1 milker was eating them like I eat chocolate, and made herself sick on them. She scoured and dried up very quickly, and is going on probably a couple of weeks more or less off feed. I gave her fresh hay a few days ago which she was interested in for a time but doesn't seem to be still eating it. She is on grass.
I gave her baking soda, and have been giving her NutraDrench. Her gums are very pale. She is not down but is sluggish and certainly not better.
Suggestions for what I can do to help pep her up? Before anyone asks, she was wormed a few months ago at kidding and I do not want to worm her again before she is feeling better. This is not an issue that was brought on by worms, but by me not realizing that she would overdose on watermelon rinds. I know that was stupid of me.
|
|
|
Post by Maura on Aug 17, 2019 19:14:38 GMT
She may have a blockage. Massage may help, but you would want a knowledgeable vet to do it. I will send her energy and see if that helps.
|
|
mary
Full Member
Posts: 209
|
Post by mary on Aug 18, 2019 0:47:57 GMT
She's had runs. I don't think it's blockage.
|
|
|
Post by mogal on Aug 18, 2019 11:30:02 GMT
Is her rumen functioning? Can you see slow movement in her abdomen or hear a rumbling like muffled distant thunder? If not, she might benefit from a dose of Probios or a similar product to help repopulate her gut with the right kinds of bacteria for digestion. I'd also give her less lush feed. When mine are off like that, they seem to appreciate blackberry leaves and stems--tannin in them helps the runs and the fiber helps stimulate their rumens more than grass. Sometimes an injection with B12 or a B complex vitamin will help stimulate a goat's appetite. If you can pen her separately, maybe with her kid or a buddy, it's easier to give her plant material that will help her. When they are sick, mine like pine needles, maple leaves, and such. I try to make time to lead the patient to the windbreak in the yard and let them choose what they need and keep it in mind for the next time. Check out garlicbarrier.com/sheep.html. Keep reading until you come to the dosage for goats and be sure to read the links from SARE. I will use chemical wormers as a last resort but regular administration of the Garlic Barrier (more often in warm weather) plus paddock rotation, etc., generally take care of our goats. We feed hay cut from our place that hasn't been sprayed in years. It's full of broad leaf plants, the browse the goats would choose on their own if given the chance and their paddocks are just what vegetation grows there. Each gets a grain mix based on production and body condition and they have free access to both unrefined sea salt and a goat mineral plus fresh water. They have both a lixit type waterer and a small trough that is fitted with a float valve that refreshes supply as needed and I dump it daily, scrub it 1-2 times a week as needed to keep down algae growth. Treats like your watermelon rinds are limited. I learned that lesson years ago when my father gave my horse--a single horse--rinds from 2 large melons. Horse colicked, had to have the vet out to tube the poor critter to give him mineral oil and shots (don't remember what those were), and I walked said horsey for hours to keep him from lying down and rolling. Had a serious discussion about type and quantity of treats with my father. His excuse was that my grandfather had done it with his work horses--plural and it was only a little bit each time. As counterintuitive as it sounds, I had a vet, a graduate of the Univ. of MO vet school, who prescribed mineral oil for a goat that was scouring followed a few hours later with kaopectate. He said the mineral oil helped to evacuate any agent that could be causing distress and help coat the intestines and soothe them. The kao might need repeating over the course of a day or so. Good luck with her. If she's been sick a while, it's going to take a lot of TLC to bring her back to top form.
|
|
|
Post by shellymay on Aug 19, 2019 16:57:41 GMT
Have you taken her temp yet?
|
|
|
Post by willowgirl on Aug 22, 2019 12:53:26 GMT
I think diarrhea can actually be the sign of a partial blockage ... only a small amount of liquid can get around the blockage.
Hope your girl recovers!
|
|
|
Post by farmchix on Sept 3, 2019 13:44:22 GMT
How is she doing??
|
|