Sick goat help

pourfolkes · #1 04/07/06, 08:24 AM

I have a Saanen that is about 3 months old. I went out yesterday and he was just lying there, did not want to get up. I gave him penicillin and then I thought that maybe he had bloat, so I got baking soda. His front legs seem very weak, they want to buckle on him. Through the day, he seemed to improve and by last night, he seemed more himself tho still a little weak. This morning, he is just laying there again and does not want to get up? What could this be and what can I do for him? I am really clueless here but he is such a sweet little guy that I want to do what I can to save him. Please help. Thanks

Goat Freak · #2 04/07/06, 09:36 AM

Has he peed latly? It could be Urinary Calculi, do a search, and get him to the vet! Good luck with him, I will be praying. Good luck. Bye.

By the way, I am saying Uc, because of the bloated look, and not wanting to get up, our boy was like that when he got it, nad he ended up dying from it.

Sweet Goats · #3 04/07/06, 10:21 AM

Did you take his Temp? If so what was it? has he peed, pooped. I myself would not give Penicillin unless you know he has some kind of infection. Try offering him molasses water. Will he eat his grain or hay?
Good Luck Keep us posted.

wooly1s · #4 04/07/06, 10:22 AM

White muscle disease? How is your Selenium out there? Did you give a BoSei innoc at birth? Hope it's not...usually shows up earlier, but who is to say...hope he rebounds quickly for you. Have you tried a squirt of NutriDrench to perk him up a bit? Call to the vet is probably a good bet.

Nancy_in_GA · #5 04/07/06, 10:58 AM

Have you treated him for worms and coccidia? Either can make the goat anemic and very weak. Does he have loose stools? We had a case of coccidiosis in which the diarrhea was not an obvious symptom. Check around the inside of his eyes. Is the color bright pink, or closer to white? White color indicates anemia.

Nancy

Delinda · #6 04/07/06, 11:33 AM

Yes unless you think he has an infection penicillian will probably not help him and you have to give the shot for at least 5 days for it to do any good at all. I would suggest a shot of vitamin B instead of the penn.

goatmarm · #7 04/07/06, 11:38 AM

Did this little fellow just come off his dam? Could be he is weak from being abruptly weaned if he's used to getting milk from mom, or even regular bottles, then all of a sudden no more milk. If that's the case, try offering some warm milk from a bottle.
Also, do you have other goats? If you just bought this kid by himself, he may be depressed from lack of companionship.
Has he had a change in the brand of grain he is getting? A change in diet can cause upset stomache.
We need more info. on what's going on with this little guy. in order to be of more assistance to you.

fricknfarm · #8 04/07/06, 04:21 PM

do you feed him a lot of grain? too much protien/pellets, soybeans? He could be foundered. It will happen to goats as well as horses. Goats really will eat too much of what they like.

pourfolkes · #9 04/09/06, 06:23 AM

I finally called the goat 911 people and the general opinion is that it is goat polio. I went and got the b injections with thiamin and started them. I can't say he is getting alot better, but he seems to be hanging on. He is eating and drinking, so I am praying he will make it. I did not think I could get this attached to a goat, but I am. When I saw him yesterday and he could not even raise his head I was sobbing like a 2 year old!! As of last night, he is able to stand but his front legs are so weak, however, that is a big improvement from the morning when he could not get up at all or raise his head, so we will see. I will keep you posted.

pourfolkes · #10 04/09/06, 11:24 PM

It has been a really hard day for us here. When we went out this morning, our little saanen could not move at all. Sadly, we had to put him down, but at least he is not suffering now. This is my first experience with this and of course, he was our favorite. I can't tell you how my heart is breaking. My son and I both have had a hard time today controlling out emotions over this. I just wanted to thank all of you for the advice and for trying to help.

wooly1s · #11 04/10/06, 12:26 AM

My heart breaks for you and your son.

Sweet Goats · #12 04/10/06, 09:33 AM

I am very sorry for your loss. Just remember you did do what was best for him. He is watching down on you now. My prayers are going out to you. {{{{{{{Hugs from COLORADO}}}}}}}}}

fricknfarm · #13 04/10/06, 12:43 PM

sorry for your loss. Goats are right up there with dogs as far as becoming attached.
I just had a thought, too late for the little guy, but do you know if he was vaccinated? Did he get colostrum when he was tiny? These two things are very important. I tend to err on the side of caution and if I'm not sure a goat has been vaccinated, I do so when he/she comes home. Not everyone vaccinates. There are a lot of people that have a couple goats that aren't aware of all the things that can go wrong. they never see it.

HilltopDaisy · #14 04/11/06, 03:20 AM

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I'm sitting here with my little buck and I can't imagine what you're going through right now......thank you for sharing this with us.