emergency-goat down

Doug Hodges · #21 09/06/13, 10:58 PM

I'm glad she is still alive. I hope she makes it.

mrstillery09 · #22 09/07/13, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mygoat

The blindess, incoordination, and the possible facial paralysis sounds a heckuva lot like Listeria, maybe polio. Check for facial paralysis by seeing if she can move her jaw and blink. (but the fever makes me think Listeria) Is she drooling? If no facial paralysis, it could also be enterotoxemia. You can vaccinate for it with CDT, and there is an antitoxin that you give as an injection that is cheap insurance to keep on hand. I'd give that if I had nothing else to guess on.

What antibiotic did he give? I'd give another big dose of Penicillin, and keep doing it every 6 hrs. If she had a fever, you need to keep after it. Give Thiamine (B1) every 6 hours as well. Listeria and polio are really not issues that they come out of on their own. If you have one you can spare, use a human digital thermometer rectally on her (I usually test them on another goat or myself before use, because I've had some scares with broken ones, lol) - normal is 101-103*. Continue treatment for a few days after the last symptom.

If she's still around and you can get ahold of your vet tomorrow, I'd consider asking him for some dexamethasone or banamine. It will help a ton to reduce brain swelling and pain, if you think it fits with listeria/polio.

http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/ar...steriosis.html

^^ this site gives treatment, symptoms, dosages etc. Very helpful.

She is STANDING UP! I was so surprised to see her. She has her head down, and she is drooling but she is up. Her eyes are back to normal as well. It sounds like she is trying to swallow, but may be struggling some. I gave her a shot of vitamin b again, along with PenG. I will see about getting a hold of the vet to get some pain medication as well. Sorry this is rushed, going to go back out and giver her some love!

**mygoat** · #23 09/07/13, 08:59 AM

Drooling and problem swallowing REALLY sounds like listeria. Keep up with big doses Pen G every 6 hrs, and do NOT stop the B vitamins either (just in case we're wrong and it's polio). SO glad she's standing! We're rooting for her!

Strange Bear · #24 09/07/13, 09:01 AM

I hope she keeps getting better!

mrstillery09 · #25 09/07/13, 09:29 AM

We got a three day supply of banamine. I gave her first shot, and she kicked and cried. She ended up laying back down, but I figure she has to be completely exhausted. The only thing I'm concerned about is that she hasn't had any food or water. With her seeming unable to swallow, how should I go about getting her some liquids?

Also, I don't know if this is something to be concerned about or not. Juniper her sister, was not excited about her grain this morning and left some in her pan. She has normal pellets, and seems healthy otherwise. I plan to keep an eye on her, but is this something that I should be concerned about?

parrotman · #26 09/07/13, 09:40 AM

First, I'm so happy to hear she's starting to rally for you.

Did you as the vet about administering lactated ringers to her. This would help with dehydration. It's relatively easy to administer fluids under the skin, sub q.
It could help her and protect her liver and kidneys from further damage.

Lizza · #27 09/07/13, 10:28 AM

Banamine stings but it goes away.

I totally agree with mygoat. Keep treating for both Listeria and Polio. Sometimes you really don't know what you are treating for and just try to cover all the bases.

Are you giving her probiotics? With her swallowing problems I would stick with the paste. Are you giving her anything for dehydration? You can syringe her electrolytes but be very careful since she isn't swallowing well, you don't want it to get to her lungs. You can tube her but not sure you have experience with that? An IV would be best but a Vet would have to do that for you. I've never heard of the lactated ringers for dehydration but sounds a good way if it is easy to administer.

Do you know if her rumen is still working? You can place your ear over her rumen to hear for sounds or best if you have a stethoscope to listen.

mrstillery09 · #28 09/07/13, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morningstar

Banamine stings but it goes away.

I totally agree with mygoat. Keep treating for both Listeria and Polio. Sometimes you really don't know what you are treating for and just try to cover all the bases.

Are you giving her probiotics? With her swallowing problems I would stick with the paste. Are you giving her anything for dehydration? You can syringe her electrolytes but be very careful since she isn't swallowing well, you don't want it to get to her lungs. You can tube her but not sure you have experience with that? An IV would be best but a Vet would have to do that for you. I've never heard of the lactated ringers for dehydration but sounds a good way if it is easy to administer.

Do you know if her rumen is still working? You can place your ear over her rumen to hear for sounds or best if you have a stethoscope to listen.

We haven't given her any probiotics, or anything for dehydration yet. I have tried to get a little water down her but it's obvious that syringing it isn't going to work (easily or well). I have no experience tubing (unfortunately). We are pretty sure we'll have to have the vet come back out to get some type of fluids in her. I'll look into the lactated ringers though. I'm not sure about her rumen, but when I go back out I'll listen to see.

mrstillery09 · #29 09/07/13, 11:11 AM

I meant to ask this previously, if this is listeriosis (which I'm led to believe by her symptoms) how contagious is she to humans, and what precautions should we be taking? I'm generally not a germaphob, but want to make sure I'm being as hygienic as possible.

Doug Hodges · #30 09/07/13, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrstillery09

We haven't given her any probiotics, or anything for dehydration yet. I have tried to get a little water down her but it's obvious that syringing it isn't going to work (easily or well). I have no experience tubing (unfortunately). We are pretty sure we'll have to have the vet come back out to get some type of fluids in her. I'll look into the lactated ringers though. I'm not sure about her rumen, but when I go back out I'll listen to see.

Tubing is easy. You just slide it down their throat. You need the equipment and you can watch a youtube video of how to. Heres one but you can insert the tube and pour it into the syringe and it will funnel into the goat.

Pony · #31 09/07/13, 12:50 PM

You can give lactated ringers SQ if you aren't experienced at hitting veins. It'll certainly help.

Anyone: What's the other solution? I know I've given CMPK SQ, but I seem to remember another IV solution with glucose that can go in the same way.

ETA: Is there a "home grown" solution that Mrstillery can mix and inject?

Pony · #32 09/07/13, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrstillery09

I meant to ask this previously, if this is listeriosis (which I'm led to believe by her symptoms) how contagious is she to humans, and what precautions should we be taking? I'm generally not a germaphob, but want to make sure I'm being as hygienic as possible.

Listeriosis is potentially zoonotic, but not ragingly so. Use general precautions - wash hands and arms, properly dispose of infected tissues, discard milk, etc.

Human listeriosis is pretty rare, according to the Merck Vet Manual: only about 12 cases per million population per year.

parrotman · #33 09/07/13, 01:10 PM

Doing sub q with the ringers will cause the least amount of stress on the goat AND the owner. The body will absorb the fluid, just not as fast as if it was administered through a vein.

Backfourty,MI. · #34 09/07/13, 01:18 PM

Keep up with the treatment for Listeria & have your vet show you how to do lactated ringers if she's still not drinking. It's pretty easy & they should be able to sell you what every you need for that no problem.
Thiamine (RX from the vet) will be better if you have them give you that instead of the Vitamin B from TSC.

Homemade electrolyte water recipe is
1 liter warm water
1/4 tsp. Baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 TBSP. honey or sugar

Since she sees to be doing a little better, make up the electrolyte water & see if she'll drink it.
Give her some of her favorite hay or leaves & see if you can get her to eat some also, would be good for her to get something in her stomach.

Probiotics or probios paste will be needed but I'd wait until your done with the PenG & then start giving those for a few days.

JBarGFarmKeeper · #35 09/07/13, 01:37 PM

If it is polio, and maybe Listeriosis, the shots will need to continue daily for possibly 3 weeks. We brought a doe about that age back from this a couple years ago. She has made a full recovery!

**mygoat** · #36 09/07/13, 04:47 PM

Your risk from a non-lactating goat is pretty slim. I've been around them 3x now with listeria (1 abortatitve, 2 brain form) and haven't got it yet.

With body fluids and tissues from sick animals ALWAYS practice CAUTION in handling. The big ones are tissues from an abortion and milk from sick animals. For example if she was pregnant and if she aborted, I would caution you to NOT handle the afterbirth except with EXTREME caution - that tissue is infective. Always dispose of abortion afterbirths carefully for the health of both your goats and yourself. Listeria isn't the only one to worry about.

Keep an eye on the other goat. Listeria is a FEED CONTAMINANT so examine your hay and feed for mould. Listeria is not a mould but it likes the same environment that Mould does - warm and moist. Fermented feeds for goats are often dangerous because goats are much more susceptible to Listeria than other species that often eat fermented feeds (horses, cattle etc).