Question to all

celadon · #1 05/26/07, 09:02 AM

How do you know if a goat is in pain? YOu all know my problems with sandy. Cae. I have her on herbs and b-12 and deveils claw. It is a pelletted mixture. She loves it. She does spend most of her time on her knees. But this morning she came running out of the barn for her food. Stiff legs and all. While she is eating she is making happy noises. In the evening i let them out in the back yard to graze. She finds herself a spot and lays down and eats. During the day she hangs her legs over the doggie stairs and relaxes there. It must feel good. She is always chewing her cud. Still loves to be petted and loved on. I was thinking on putting her down. But as long as she seems happy i do not want to do the deed. So as long as she is eating pooping and making happy sounds I can not see putting her down. What do you all think. Do you feel she is any pain.? I do feel the herbs are helping to make her comfortable.

lgslgs · #2 05/26/07, 09:53 AM

Usually with an animal, if they are still enjoying the world around them I hold off on putting them down. Some animals accept pain as "what is" and even though you can see them creak as they move or hear them lay down with a groan they still enjoy their days and find ways to work around their discomfort. Some of our animals have had a mindset that lets them be truly accepting of pain far beyond what I'd ever want to accept - others have a mindset where lower levels of pain will crush their spirit. It depends on the individual.

When they stop enjoying the outer world around them and start looking inward more, and when you can see that their focus is their discomfort more than the joys they find in the world - that's when we put them down.

When an animal is very ill, I look at them an try to see whether they are thinking "I'm not feeling well, but it's a good day to be alive" or "The world no longer brings me joys because my body is failing." They are usually pretty good at telling you.

One other thing with goats - If they still desire to be a part of the herd (even as an invalid) we feel they have a place. When they willingly give up their participation in the goat herd or their human extended herd we feel it's time to help them on their way to their next journey.

Lynda

marcir · #3 05/26/07, 10:45 AM

I totally agree. Lynda put it so beautifully: the bond between ourselves and the animals we care for is so strong that words are not needed. And IMHO, would that we could demonstrate such love and compassion for our fellow humans who suffer needlessly as life recedes.
Marci in Nor California

DQ · #4 05/26/07, 12:27 PM

there is a horse owned by an aquaintence of mine, that had a terrible infection. the university gave him a 1% chance of survival. my friend said "he just didn't look like he wanted to die yet" and continued to treat him despite the obvious reccomendation to euthanize him. that was was over a year ago and the horse is alive and well, albeit retired . there is a look an animal has when its time for them to move on, trust your instincts.

fishhead · #5 05/26/07, 01:36 PM

When my springer was diagnosed with lung cancer the vet gave her 4-12 months. She made it 17 and since it isn't painful I waited to see her will to live leave or signs of panic from shortness of breath.

I took time off work at least twice and drove her to the vet with the intention of saying good bye. Each time something in my gut made me take a detour and go for a walk in the woods and each time she trotted in front of me.

It's hard to describe but if you are close you will know. It may not be the precise time but the exact minute or even day isn't needed.

ozark_jewels · #6 05/26/07, 05:27 PM

Grinding teeth, staring into space, listlessness, half-closed eyes while not chewing cud, pressing head against a hard surface mindlessly...all these are signs of pain in goats. Your description doesn't sound like a goat in pain to me.

celadon · #7 05/26/07, 09:14 PM

Ozark jewels, I needed to know the signs of pain. Thank you. I do not believe she is in bad pain so i will wait for those signs. Thak you all for your response. I feel a bit quilty watching her crawl around on her knees. Wondering if I was doing a injustice by not putting her down. A few people that have seen her think it is so sad and i should put her out of her misery. But I feel she is still happy. She is still enjoying life. Thanks all.

deetu · #8 05/26/07, 11:08 PM

Are you giving her B-L Solution? I thought I would have to put my horse down. She was on five bute a day and still not able to walk around. Someone told me to try the B=L Solution (B12, Yucca, Devil Claw) and she started doing better. It's been two years now and she is still going strong. At 32 I dont' ride her anymore but she did run around the neighborhood last month on her own

I did give it to a goat that had a sore shoulder. It seemed to help.

celadon · #9 05/27/07, 08:03 AM

Yes, that is what i have her on. I am wondering if maybe i should add in a aspirin. Maybe one per day? Will that upset her stomach?

fishhead · #10 05/27/07, 08:16 AM

Just because she crawls around doesn't mean she's in pain or has given up. I would argue just the opposite of giving up. It may look bad but that's only looks.

Some willows produce natural asprin (salicylic acid) but I'm not sure if it's the leaves or not.