swiping a cud?

mamajohnson · #1 06/14/08, 01:20 PM

Tell me about this... is it hard to swipe a cud and give it to another goat?
One of my girls seems to have tummy trouble, and I cannot figure it out.
She did get into the dog food, but according to my 8 year old (who knows how accurate it is) "she only had 5 bites" The kids didn't even tell me the day it happened, they told me yesterday morning (it was evidently late thursday when she got into it) I didn't notice any off behavior or bloating thursday night.

She isn't visibly bloated, but refusing feed, and scouring just a tad, standing in the corner of the stall.
I have done lots of acidophelis (force fed it) baking soda (forced that too) we walked, rubbed the tummy, gave her some oil, more rubbing. No gas passing, no burping.
Finally a bit ago she took a couple of bites of hay and after I forced some water in her mouth I saw her take a drink.

I am just wondering if I need to find her a cud to get her back in shape, and if so HOW?

mamajohnson · #2 06/14/08, 04:15 PM

bump???
no cud swipers out there?

Well, took my girls out for a walk. while all the others ate ravenously, my poor little sicky just nibbled and stood there with her head drooping.

We went back to the shed, and she got yet another probiotic dose.
What can I do next?

Emily, Vickie, anybody that has been at this longer than me (that aint long!)
I could use some input!

PS... have not seen any poop in awhile from her, but she is going pee.
She also had a tad of fight in her when I was giving her the last bit of probiotic.

Terre d'Esprit · #3 06/14/08, 04:21 PM

I have always wondered that, too. I am afraid of getting bit-- those back teeth are razor sharp!

Good luck with your sick one.

I hope she takes a turn for the better soon.

T

Missy M · #4 06/14/08, 04:30 PM

Isn't Bo Se for this type of issue?

mpillow · #5 06/14/08, 05:01 PM

Use a spoon and sit with the one chewing cud and catch the timing...pinch open mouth and steal just as soon as it comes up and give it right to sick girl.

Tempt your sick one with some cornflakes and do you have probiotic plus b vitamins to stimulate appetite?

Dog food won't kill them unless they eat an enormous amount or there is something wrong with dog food(mold)

mamajohnson · #6 06/14/08, 05:41 PM

corn flakes, I think I have some of those!
I have vit B seperate, didn't think of that, I will get some in her asap.

I have not seen any cud chewing since I have thought of it, I think they are doing it on the sly.

I like the spoon idea.

The weird thing is, this is not the first time she has done this - she is a regular at it.

I thought the new shed with locking door would keep her out of the feed, but if the kiddos dont lock the door she won't stay out!

She just seems to have gotten more ill this time, and without the bloat evidence. DH thinks I got the bloat gone, but things just are not moving, the rumen not working. (which is why I thought of the cud)

well, off to try something new....

trob1 · #7 06/14/08, 06:37 PM

I use a q-tip and scrape the cheek with it then do the same with the sick goat. Works great when needing to kick start the rumen of a bottle baby.

trob1 · #8 06/14/08, 06:39 PM

Oh and when using the q-tip method you do not have to wait for them to be chewing cud. The bacteria is in their mouth all the time and you will get leftover bits of cud on the q-tip also. Works great for me.

mamajohnson · #9 06/14/08, 10:26 PM

well, just did the q-tip thing. That seems the easiest way to do it.
I hope to see a change in the morning.

Jaclynne · #10 06/14/08, 10:50 PM

I've never heard of the Q-tip trick, I hope it works for your 'troubled' goat.

Halo

mamajohnson · #11 06/15/08, 04:14 PM

That q-tip thing is awesome!~
But, just let me say that cud and stuff in there is stinky!

This morning my girl was so much better. She got on the milk stand willingly,
ate most of her ration (as soon as I was done milking I took it from her cause I didn't want any setbacks) and is actually out browsing with the girls! She isn't quiet as perky as normal, but I think that will come by tomorrow.

Thank you so much, trob1, that was a great tip!

Terre d'Esprit · #12 06/15/08, 04:16 PM

how much did you get on the qtip?

mamajohnson · #13 06/15/08, 04:25 PM

not a whole lot, it was soaked and brownish looking, and a tad smelly!
just a quick rub in one mouth and then the next.
That first girl, she was NOT wanting that qtip in her mouth! lol!
The fight was on!

trob1 · #14 06/15/08, 08:51 PM

Mamajohnson you are very welcome and I am glad it worked for you. I hope she continues to improve.

Starsmom · #15 06/15/08, 09:16 PM

I have had to do it a couple times. Had a pregnant doe scouring badly and nothing was working. What I do is put on a pair of gloves (several reasons why) and when you see her cough it up, open her mouth, stick your fingers in and pull it out. Then give it to the sick goat. They will not want it, will shake their head and carry on like you just poisoned them, but it REALLY works. My pregnant doe was almost normal the next day and had no more problems.

mamajohnson · #16 06/15/08, 10:26 PM

I think I know why you use the gloves!
Amazing how yucky that is! lol!
And it works wonders!
My girl is totally her same old stubborn and onery self tonight! wow!