Must make a decision soon

[celadon]

Sandy is not doing very good. She is the goat we have been talking about in a few other posts. Vet is positive she has cae and so am I. I can not stand to see her crawling on her knees much longer. I ordered and got and am giving her the devils claw with all the other good stuff in it. It dosen't seem to be helping. I have a set of carpeted doggie stairs in there pen. She hangs her front legs over it and hangs her head down. I dont think i can watch her being like this much longer. I so hate to put her down. Mandy is going to be so stressed being alone. I was thinking about getting another goat for her but I get to attached to them and am not going to go thru this again. Please people do not spread cae. Have you goats tested and do not breed the positive ones or sell there milk to be fed to other babies. I am just putting the inevitable off. I now think she is unhappy and suffering. After the holiday weekend I will have her put down. But just maybe by then the herbs will kick in and help her. Still trying to have a little hope.

[Jim S.]

Was she TESTED?

Getting attached means you have to do what is best for the animals, too. Even if it is hard. You must separate your own needs from what is good for the animals in your care, so you have some perspective from which to decide what is right. That's not cold-hearted. It is necessary.

It will be cruel to keep Mandy alone. A goat is a herd animal, it must be in a group or have a buddy to be happy. So you need to sell Mandy after you put down Sandy, to someone who can provide her with companionship. Or you need to buy her a friend.

If it offers you any comfort, I have taken goats to the vets office and had a vet put them down. It is cheaper to carry them to the office than for a vet visit. They give them a shot, and the goat just gradually and quietly slips away. It is FAR more merciful than a long, dragged out and painful death, which is what each faced had I not done the responsible thing.

[cjb]

Wouldn't it expose someone else's herd to sell Many?

Does this mean that they cannot have goats now because their place is infected with CAE?

[BlueHeronFarm]

No - premesises cannot be infected with CAE - that is CL.
CAE is transmitted through milk/body fluids.

I'm with Jim - was she tested? Test them, if not.

[celadon]

The person that i bought milk from told me she just tested her goat. And she had cae. She was a carrier. Sid she was tring to milk her recently and she kept going down on her knees. I had my amish farrier to look at her feet. Her feet are fine. I have always had plenty of loose minerials out for them with sel. I do not want to put sandy thru drawing blood. She is already stressed out enough. I do trust my vet that he knows what he is talking about. Everything points to cae. I will put my minuature pony in with Mandy.

[fishhead]

That's a tough decision but whatever is in her best interest is what she deserves.