Strange behavior in PG 1st freshener doe

Milk n' Honey · #1 02/14/08, 12:19 AM

I have been noticing one of my does is lying around an awful lot. She has never had kids before. She has an udder. She couldn't be due before the second week of March. She wouldn't even get up to eat grain with the rest of the goats. She doesn't look sick but it is like she is in her own little world and could care less about anything. Should I be concerned or is she probably just getting starry eyed early since this is her first time?

waygr00vy · #2 02/14/08, 05:35 AM

Laying around is one thing and normal late in pregnancy (especially if they are carrying multiples), but not getting up for grain is what i would be concerned about. Could be hypocalcemia? Is she eating at all? What have you been feeding her? Here is a link...

http://dairygoatinfo.com/index.php?topic=22.0

nubiansinny · #3 02/14/08, 06:12 AM

Please read the calcium post. it might be that. You need to catch it early. I bumped it up to the first page. Good luck

moonspinner · #4 02/14/08, 08:38 AM

Just going by the symptoms you describe it does sound like hypocalcemia. Does she look big?

Trey · #5 02/14/08, 08:56 AM

If this doe is overweight, could be ketosis, smell her breath. Usually it will have a very sweet smell. Try to keep her eating, drinking and moving. And look up ketosis (I think that is how you spell it).

prairiedog · #6 02/14/08, 09:06 AM

ketosis is often secondary to hypocalcemia so treat that first

Milk n' Honey · #7 02/14/08, 11:21 AM

How difficult is this to take care of? I'm not sure what to give for the calcium supplements. Can I give molasses in water for the ketosis?

Milk n' Honey · #8 02/14/08, 11:21 AM

Oh, she is very big....just pregnant big though. She has never been overweight. She has only been acting this way for three days.

dkdairygoats · #9 02/14/08, 11:51 AM

Look into pregnancy toxemia. Also check her temperature. My very pregnant does will be lazy and reluctant to get up as well, but they are definately interested in food. They are slow, but they do get up and eat.

Milk n' Honey · #10 02/14/08, 12:15 PM

Yeah, that is what raised the red flag.....what else do goats like to do more than eat? I read on Fiasco Farms that I need to give molasses/karo syrup to her and then calcium gluconate also. I don't have the latter so I have to make a trip out of town for it. I'll try and go tonight. I definitely don't think this is normal. She has at least 3-4 weeks before being due and maybe even 5 weeks. I have my herd all very healthy and thriving and she is one of my very best does. I think she is going to have at least twins and maybe trips judging by the looks of her at this stage. Thanks for all your help. I'll keep you posted. Oh, I'm going to give Vitamin B shots and Bounce Back in her water.

AnnaS · #11 02/14/08, 06:56 PM

When you're in town, pick up some ketosis strips or powder at a feed store or livestock vet's. You can use this to rule out, or diagnose, ketosis. Pick up some propylene glycol (the treatment for ketosis) at the same place. It won't harm her if you treat her & she isn't ketonic.

This combo of lislessness and disinterest in grain, along with her stage of pregnancy, would make me look at ketosis before hypocalcemia/milk fever.

Bearfootfarm · #12 02/14/08, 11:13 PM

http://www.case-agworld.com/cAw.LU.ket.html

She needs to be treated quickly, because the condition can worsen rapidly.

If she wont take the fluids on her own, you'll have to drench or tube her. You can also give SQ injections of either Cal- Dextrose, or 20% Dextrose.

If you can only find 50% Dextrose, you can dilute 20 ML Dextrose with 30 ML sterile water, and inject 20 ML, SQ, at different sites. The total dose will be 150 ML.

There is also a good chance she will abort if its progressed too far already, but that will actually help her recover quicker

Good luck!