Lost a doe today....

boilerjoe_96 · #1 10/05/08, 07:17 PM

If any of you remember I asked about an alfalfa pasture and bloating? Well they had been on it..gradually...and then today? One of my percentage(boer/nubian) died. I walked outside(had been outside most of the day) and she started yelling. I went to go see the problem and she was like a balloon. Hard as a rock.

I of course couldn't remember what to do, I tried some baking soda and mineral oil(syringe and tube). Didn'tmatter... Right after she went down I put a needled syringe in her belly(thought I was Dr House), well more on top of her. Air was coming out....but not fast enough. She was a goner in my eyes so I figured this last resort wouldn't matter... Is it ok to do this for future reference?

My other five are fine. My girls(7 and 5) were pretty upset... as was I...

This is our first go round with goats, had them a month. Live and learn I guess, but makes me feel awful....

What do you all do with the body?

HappyFarmer · #2 10/05/08, 07:26 PM

I'm sorry to hear about your doe,.
Yes there is a technique & a tool for releasing the gas from the rumen, said to be used as the last resort as you did. I don't recall the tool, but I would imagine in an emergency anything could be used to get the job done, then of course deal with the risk of infection afterwards. I believe Goat Medicine has a picture & description of the technique.

Nice try, I'm sorry it wasn't enough to save your doe.
HF

Goat Servant · #3 10/05/08, 07:29 PM

So sorry you lost her Boilerjoe.

I've only dealt with bloat once...I did the balls of baking soda and kept walking her and massaging her rumen (on the left) quite briskly. I dont remember if she got any oil or not...this is when barn notes come in handy.

Bodies? We had one doe die a couple yrs ago within a week after kidding, we brought her in for autopsy or is it necropsy?
Some people bury some burn the body.

I hear they can go down pretty fast with bloat unless your right there. I would keep some baking soda out free choice.
Again, sorry for your loss.

DQ · #4 10/05/08, 07:30 PM

I'm so sorry. sounds like you did what you could. yes, puncturing the rumen is a last resort. Maybe you need something bigger??

needstoknowmore · #5 10/05/08, 07:30 PM

I didn't see your previous question. Only get here once in a while. So I don't know how much alfalfa you are talking about. So I am going to spout off without knowing all the facts.
Although in hay form alfalfa is safe. But it is on poisonous lists. I am surrounded by alfalfa fields so I looked into it. Fortunatly haven't had a problem.
You did the right things. (Dr. House is on right now!!) I hope I have the guts to relieve the air if the need arises.
I am sorry for you loss. It is always hard no matter what the cause. But you did everything right.

boilerjoe_96 · #6 10/05/08, 08:10 PM

Yeah the needle I had was small, I might invest in a bigger one just in case or investigate the 'tool'...

I just put out baking soda since I first posted....

yarrow · #7 10/05/08, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boilerjoe_96

Yeah the needle I had was small, I might invest in a bigger one just in case or investigate the 'tool'...

I just put out baking soda since I first posted....

So sorry for your loss.. if you decide to get one of the *tools* It's called a trocar. I have one...have never had to use it... hope to NEVER have to use it, but bought it as *insurance*. here's a link for purchasing one.

http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/...97&pf_id=16081
susie

Minelson · #8 10/05/08, 08:20 PM

I am so sad for you

and how traumatic. If you don't want to bury her on your property then I would look in the yellow pages under pet crematories and they might be able to direct you to the right place..also, any vet could give you advise on how to dispose of the body. Ugh! big hugs to you and I'm so sorry

fishhead · #9 10/05/08, 09:33 PM

I've read that a 16 ga needle is large enough. A thin fillet knife would work too.

Sorry you lost her.

bloogrssgrl · #10 10/05/08, 09:42 PM

Sorry to hear about your doe.

Another two things you might want to have on hand: Bloat Release (you can get online, probably Jeffers or Country Supply) and a fexible piece of tubing, maybe 1/2 inch.

One of our does was bloated and I had to work that day. I was on the cell phone with my goat book reading directions to my DH and DD on how to get the tube into her stomach. They were able to get the tube in, massage her belly, release the bloat and she was fine if just a bit disgruntled.

After that episode, I picked up to bottles of Bloat Release to keep on hand. And I keep the tube right next to them.