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Am I doing something wrong?
I am questioning my goat keeping skills over here! Trinket is now spiking a fever of 103.9 so I giving her LA 200, Vit. B Complex and Probiotics. I am thinking she got a minor uterine from me having to manually go in and get kids. I also have been having issues with Zoe Bird not wanting to eat her grain (well she likes it plain with no stuff on it) and now Mia for the past two days hasn't wanted her grain period. Neither of them are running fevers and they are going out and grazing every day. I think Zoe is just being a toad and I know how to fix her issues. But Mia I have no CLUE what is going on with her, she just refuses to eat her grain and I feel like her milk production has gone down (or her kids are just drinking more).
I am beginning to question what I am doing wrong over here! I don't know if I should blame it on how I am feeding everyone with mixing my own grain and using calcium carbonate or if it's just one of those years. I seem to be having just one problem after the next and I am getting really tired of it, of feeling like a failure :(. What am I doing wrong? The only thing I am doing different is the Replamin Plus gel (not causing the problems I know that), using calcium carbonate and mixing my own grain. Could mixing up my own grain and using calcium carbonate cause THIS many issues? Am I doing something else wrong? Is there something I am NOT doing? Help! Justine |
Gosh Justine.. I don't know what is going on... I know you've put more thought and worry into your grain mix/calcium combo then the rest of us combined LOL... (I seriously.. just open some oats.. some sunflowers.. grab some of this. a little of that.. dump a bit of this.. no clue as to how much or anything).. you also cleaned your hands much better then I do. before you went in on Trinket.. (as I told you.. I go in on EVERY doe.. never had an infection/fever in any of them).. I use to have a lot more issues with the herd when I tried to mico-mange everything.. now with 40+ goats.. and have LOTS less issues then when I had 1/4 that many... I just sort of let them be goats now adays.. I do take temps on anyone acting puny.. and give them something if they are really sick... (but it's been a year since I had an adult needing nuflor).. BUT.. I would say at least 3/4 of what my goats eat. .they find for themselves out in the meadow/woods.. we aren't even putting out hay for the doe herd anymore since it's greened up.. With all the issues you've been having.. I wonder if it's something with your weather? climate.. so different then ours? maybe what works for those of us in this part of the country isn't quite right for your area?
I know this has got to be wearing on you susie |
Well the grain mixture I am doing is what a gal I know around these parts did (I love the condition of her herd) and I finally had the nerve this year to try it. The funny this is I didn't have ANY issues really until everyone started kidding. Zoe Bird got her fever the end of last month but that was the major weather change we had so I know that isn't food related.
I just can't imagine all of these issues being just related to the switch in food. I really can't but I don't know, they are not metabolic issues as far as I know. Thankfully all the kids I have had born (that survived) have been healthy, healthy, healthy! No issues or problems with any of them which is a blessing. I am picking up a different molasses to use on their grain (I use a bit of molasses to get the calcium carbonate to stick) tomorrow. I think the stuff I am using is part of the reason why Zoe and Mia are not eating grain. It is a food grade one I got from a feed dealer but I am going to try a different brand from somewhere else. I am hoping that helps with the grain eating issue. I know that normally these little things just on their own are not a big deal and are just something we deal with as goat owners. But having them all happen in such a short span of time has me flabbergasted and emotionally wrung out (as well as questioning my ability to be a good goat owner). Justine |
What were they eating before?
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Before as in last year? I was using 18% protein pelleted grain that a friend developed for her herd (she added a bunch of stuff to her pelleted grain as well). I had been using it forever but I was having issues with major udder edema (plus the price of the grain) and the does just didn't like it.
I wanted to switch to something simple and easier plus I was going to be using calcium carbonate this year instead of the alfalfa pellets so I dug out the old recipe from the gal I mentioned in my first post and checked it out price wise. It came out I think the same price as the 18% pelleted grain and the girls seemed to like it MUCH better. I have liked the overall body condition on the does (no one is too skinny) and I haven't had the udder edema like in years past. So I am liking mixing it myself and having just the basics in it. I think the issue with getting them to eat the grain is I switched their molasses probably two weeks before kidding started and this one isn't as sweet (a bit more bitter). So I am going back to what I originally was putting on the grain in hopes of getting the pickier eaters to eat it again. The only ones I haven't had issues with are my FF 2yr old does! They CHOW down on their grain now and I am loving their body condition and milk production. I just wish all the other girls would get on the bandwagon and stop having issues. I am not surprised Trinket spiked a fever to be honest because I did go in on her. I am also wondering if she maybe didn't retain one placenta? I saw she passed one but I never saw the second one but I figured she just ate it. *sighs* I am heading back out to check on her and see what her temp is doing before I go in to work. I want to make sure she doesn't spike really high and need banamine before I leave. Justine |
Maybe it is the molasses. I don't know!! But darn it you have had too many problems this kidding season! Personally I don't see anything that you are doing wrong. And if Yarrow doesn't see it either I don't think it is. Was there anything different with vaccines this year? Different pest control? Weed control? Different deworming practices? Wrack your brain for anything else that might be different and make a list. (((hugs)))
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No difference in worming, pest control or weed control. I haven't changed ANYTHING accept for their feed and the Replamin Plus gel. I did fertilize the pasture a few weeks ago but I honestly don't think that is causing the issues. I fertilized everyone's pasture including the yearlings and bucks, no issues with them.
Trinket's fever is 104.7 right now but she is chewing her cud. I went ahead and gave her banamine since I will be gone from 1pm to 9:30pm and my mom isn't great at giving shots. I REALLY don't want her fever spiking on me when I am not home otherwise I would wait and see. I am hoping/praying the LA 200 can kick whatever is going on :awh:. Justine |
Good call on the banamine. I wonder if you just have some kind of virus/bacteria or something going around that NEEDS TO DIE NOW!!! :ogre:
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There is nothing wrong with your goat keeping skills Justine...just so you know
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Wow! I hope & pray that your goat issues clear up quickly!
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When did you start the Replamin?
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I bought the calcium carbonate last year & tried using it on my does' feed. No one would eat it, I tried a little veggie oil to make it stick & still nothing so I tried a little molasses & Nope, not just sprinkled on plain either.
So I switched to a 16% dairy pellet early last spring & everyone is doing great on it. The calcium carbonate is in a feed drum in the bag in the barn! I'm thinking maybe it has something to do with what your adding to the grain & they are just being picky & Trinket could have pneumonia if your weather has been as up & down like ours has. I'd do the antibiotics & see if that doesn't help. Of course Nuflor or a Penicillian works better for pneumonia I think. Hoping all your girls straighten up & start getting back to their normal. We all know you take excellent care of your animals! |
Michelle I started Replamin back on Feb. 1st of this year. I don't think it is that which is causing the issues.
Okay nighttime update! Mia actually ate half her grain and seems just fine (I think she is just being a toad) and Zoe even ate some of her grain! When Zoe started talking and fussing for her kid I promptly took her off and put her back in the pen. She was NOT happy with me but I figure she isn't skinny and if she doesn't want to eat then she can just go a bit hungry. Both her and Mia dug into their hay so I know their appetite is good they are just being toads. Trinket is feeling better though when I checked her temp she still is at 104.4 (which I don't like). She actually ate some of her grain and is feeling well enough to boss around the other does (she is herd queen right now) and start munching on her hay. I am hoping by tomorrow I see a drop in her temp from the LA 200 actually working. I am pretty stinking sure it is a uterine infection and I just pray that I don't have to use anything stronger than LA 200. I am dosing her at 3cc's per 100lbs every day for 5 days (does that sound about right?). Thank you everyone for saying I am not a bad goat owner. I feel like one because it seems like every time I am turning around now one of my girls is having an issue or running a fever..or..or..well you get the picture :runforhills:. I have to be thankful for the little things, at least it isn't the WHOLE herd doing this...just the milking does. Justine |
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All you goats!!! Behave for Justine and STOP making her worry so much!!!
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Okay updates.
I am playing hard ball with Zoe on her grain, she fusses or stands there talking to me she goes back in her pen no questions. Mia I am doing the same thing and she seems to be doing better. I did pick up new molasses so we shall see tomorrow morning if that makes a difference in their eating grain. They will eat it just plain but I am not playing that game with them. They ate it fine before with the calcium carbonate added and they shall do so again so help me. Trinket is doing better (yay!), this morning her temp was 102.1 and she ate a bit of grain and tonight her temp as 103 and she ate a bit of grain. I gave her the correct dose of LA 200 this morning along with her Vit. B Complex and some probios again. I am planning on just doing a 5 day course of LA 200 to make sure she kicks whatever she has. Does that sound about right? I am praying things are FINALLY settling down around here. It hasn't been major things that have happened but those small things add up and take their toll. I am just thankful the yearlings and the bucks are doing fine and dandy. Thank you everyone for being so supportive and letting me rant or ask questions or just talk on here. It has helped these past few weeks knowing I can come here and find help :) . Justine |
Good! Let us know how the new molasses works...
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You have GOT to be kidding me! :censored: Now Mia has a fever of 104.4! Trinket is doing fabulous now and the new molasses seemed to do the trick for everyone (including Zoe). This morning Mia was fine with no temp but tonight I took her temp again and it was 104.4. I KNEW she was going to get a fever...I had a feeling in my gut something was just "off" with her.
I think you where on to something Michelle when you said I have a virus running around. I feel like the one on the receiving end of the frying pan :frypan:, the hits just keep coming. At least a fever explains why Mia has been punky and off but for the life of me I can't figure out where all these issues are coming from. My only thought is the weather going from cold to warm then hot and back to cold is doing their immune systems in. Now I am giving Mia antibiotics, probiotics and Vit. B Complex shots. I feel like when I FINALLY get one over being sick someone else comes down with something. I am NOT a happy camper over here with my goats :grumble:. Justine |
Oh no..:( It might have to be something that has to run it's course. I know your place is very clean already but I would be tempted to spray gates and stuff with bleach water. Clean all the buckets with bleach water. wipe things down. You can't get everything so just go for the obvious. I would also talk to the vet about it. I hate these dang mysteries! Unless it's pnemonia. I'm sorry Justine...I'm sure you are just going crazy. :(
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I was wondering about a virus.... Trinket just didn't sound like/act like a uterine infection to me... I too think you have a bug they are passing around..Last goat show we went to (and I do mean last.. as in last to even go watch!).. even tho we were careful.. changed clothes, shoes ect.. we brought home a nasty respiratory bug that went thru the ENTIRE herd.. some were a little sick, some on death's door.. took over a month to work thru and get everyone well...
good luck, hang in there susie |
Whatever it is it seems to only be attacking the milking/just kidded does. I think it is because they are/where under more stress from kidding out and now milking. I am watching everyone like a hawk and so far everyone but Mia now seems healthy and doing just dandy.
I have no CLUE where I would have brought a virus home from because I haven't gone anywhere out of the ordinary except the vets office but I have gone there plenty of times and never brought something home with me. But the only thing that did change was I brought that new doe home on 3/25/2013. I wonder if she had a bug on her that she brought home? I have gone to my friend's herd (walked around) and she has brought a doe over to be bred and we NEVER had any issues. I trust my friend and her herd's health completely but I wonder if the stress of bringing a new doe in is causing something? Or if she brought something with her? My friend's herd hasn't had any health issues what so ever that I am aware of and the new doe hasn't been sick in the least. But it was only a few days after I brought her in that everything start happening :(. The funny thing is she wasn't even in the pen with the does who are having issues for the first few weeks, she ran the fence along side them put they pretty much ignored each other. The three does she did run with never got sick and still are not sick or showing any symptoms of becoming sick. Also the yearlings who ran along the other side of the fence never became sick either even though they came into contact with the new doe as well. I am wondering also if our weather could be partly to blame? We have been going through warm weather spells to cold snaps and then rainy wet weather and back to warm dry weather. Could that be causing some respiratory issues? I am just racking my brain over here trying to figure out a rhyme or reason for what is going on. Justine |
I would lean more towards the new doe than the weather.. She might have brought something that she is immune to but your does have never been exposed to it and are reacting. The fever is how the body fights it. So they are fighting it. And I agree it's because of stress that they are showing symptoms. Makes sense to me Justine.
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I am wondering if they need vitamin D like humans do. Just guessing, not an expert by far. But any time this winter that I felt a little off I took a Vit. D and it cleared up. Just a thought
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