Thiamine and polio

Sammy is still with us, eating some hay.

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I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.

Woo hoo!

I was going to warn against the fresh grass mentioned earlier. Probably best to stick with hay for now rather than fresh grass or grains, at least until he's eating regularly and "out of the woods".

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Heather Fair
Fair Skies Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats
All I Saw Farm
Wasilla, Alaska
http://HoofinItNorth.com
http://FairSkiesAlaska.com

Good to hear that Sammy is still hanging int there!

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Teach only Love...for that is what You are

I am hesitant to post; kind of like if I don't say anything, then maybe it isn't what it is. If he doesn't improve drastically over the next few days then I will need to put him down. It was quite dreary today, so he wasn't out in the yard as much, and he simply laid on his side and ate hay all day. That's no way for him to live. I put him in his chair and he slid out right away, and cried. Every time his mom leaves him he cries. Every time he cries, I cry.

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I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.

HilltopDaisy, you will know if and when he should be put down. You have done heroic measures to keep him alive and try to get him better. His quality of life should be questioned and if it's time, you have my total support in your decision. I know how hard it is and I'm so sorry this burden is on you...it's so heavy Big hugs to you.

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Teach only Love...for that is what You are

I agree with Minelson.... but just give him a another night... just to see if he gets better Hugs!!!

Any news today? It's true how we get our hopes up when goats rally but then slide backwards or show no further improvement. It sure seemed encouraging how he was showing movement in his limbs. Has he regressed from that?
These metabolic/neurologic type of conditions can fool you like that - you see initial improvement then they backslide.

He's no better, no worse. He can sit up if I put him in the upright position, but his neck still wants to twist to the left. He's eating hay very well, and drinking about 12 ounces of mom's milk from a bowl (she wants to be done with nursing him, and I've been milking her and feeding it back to him since this happened). He's getting another 12 ounces of fluids per day, between water and electrolytes. I know it doesn't seem like enough but it's a battle getting him to take anything but the milk. I distracted mom just now ans she allowed him to latch on and get a good long drink.

I keep thinking about the selenium and copper posted on the other polio thread. I took two of my vitamins and disolved them in water and gave him 24 cc's in a syringe. I'm past the point of expecting a miracle but I want to keep trying. He's bedded down in a nice spot with lots of good hay, mommy munching next to him. I have to go to work this afternoon, after being here most of the last three days. I hate to leave him. I built him a special pen yesterday, a hoophouse with 1' sides so he can't accidently scoot out into the weather, and placed it up against the shed he's been in. We're expecting lots of rain the next few days. Ei yi yi, I wish I didn't have to go.....

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I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.

Why did you decide to make him drink water instead of all milk?

I guess because his mom had pretty much weaned him before this happened. He was drinking a lot of water on his own. I gave him some milk and he drank it, so I've continued, thinking it was a good way to get fluids into him.

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I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.

I was just curious because I have a wether that we came close to losing when we first got him at about that age, and I didn't offer him milk either because the breeder I got him from said he had been weaned. Later I suspected he was weaned like the day before we got him, and still wonder if I did the right thing. He's 5 yrs old now.

Sure pulling for your little guy here.

If it gets to the point where you are going to put him down maybe you'd want to try some banamine as a last resort in case there is some kind of swelling/inflamation that is pinching some important nerves.

As long as he's eating I would still believe he has a chance to recover. I hope he does.

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"Do you believe in the devil? You know, a supreme evil being dedicated to the temptation, corruption, and destruction of man?" Hobbs
"I'm not sure that man needs the help." Calvin

How is Sammy doing today?

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Teach only Love...for that is what You are

A friend had a very similar condition with her goat. It took a few agonizing weeks of nearly losing the animal but the doe improved But she was on steroids and thiamine from the getgo.

I'm getting scared that we didn't hear form you today hope everything is ok...

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Teach only Love...for that is what You are

Ugg, I have had to be away from home the past two days much more than I would like, as I work two jobs. I just got home from the hospital job, at 12:30 at night. I checked on Sammy and mom, and she had her front leg across his neck, pinning him to the ground. I freed him and propped his head up and he immediately began munching hay.

I am getting banamine in the morning. My vet is an hour away, and I regret that I didn't ask for it, and she didn't offer it, when I was there a few days ago. This experience has taught me a lot.

I couldn't have gotten throught this without the support of you wonderful folks, so thanks again.

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I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.

Is he still showing movement in his legs, trying to get up at all? I would continue to give him thiamine. If it's polio that's the key element. And something to check the inflammation. I so feel for you and the little guy and sending prayers your way.

He makes no effort to try and stand. His front less are useless at this point.

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I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet.

Well I'm glad he is still alive. I am praying for a miracle. I don't know if your doing it already, but if you have to get some Banamine maybe some Fortified B Complex would help too. Give Sammy a hug for me!

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Teach only Love...for that is what You are

Would it be possible to suspend him in some kind of sling, so he can extend his legs?