Lost a girl yesterday- any ideas on cause?

[QoTL]

I ask first and foremost that you not pass judgement on me here. I am really hurting today, and don't need anyone else blaming me more than I already blame myself.

I lost my doeling yesterday. The only one born here so far. She was 9 months old.

I had put a ton of fresh hay in for bedding a few days before that. They always eat it like crazy, but that has never been a problem. Yesterday at 6:15am I found my little girl down in the stall, making a weird maaa noise.

I brought her in the house. She felt cold, and I assumed she was shocky. We gave her coffee and a little bit of rum (only alcohol I have here). Covered her with a blanket and put her near the register. Every 1/2 hr I made her get up and walk. She got progressively better until noon. She was pooping and peeing, although I noticed a red spot on her vulva and wondered if she had a urinary tract infection. I made her drink a little water.

Finally I had her up, she could stand for 10minutes without wobbling, and she turned her head to watch me. She still didnt really want to walk, and now she was actively starting to resist me. I thought we would be ok. She nibbled one strand of hay, and was chewing her cud. She didn't look bloated.

Then she went downhill very fast. Couldnt stand without falling. I gave her more coffee and alcohol, baking soda and water. Yogurt. It progressed to small seizures, that lasted an hr or so. At 3 she sort of stopped moving although she would still flick an ear when my husband would whistle. I don't know if she knew I was there or not, but I kept talking to her and every once in awhile she would talk back.

She died at 6:15pm.

Is this enterotoxemia?

I also found a splinter in her foot, so tetnus is not off the list either.

No, she wasnt vax. I'm still new and was stupid. I learned my lesson.

I'm at the point that I dont even know why I have goats. I feel like I've had more losses than anything else, although granted when one buys a very elderly goat, one knows she'll likely die. And I stupidly bought a very tiny buckling this fall (stars in my eyes, I ignored the warning sign that he was WAY too small for his age), that turned out to have a heart condition and passed a month later. Still.. losing chickens stinks, we say "oh crap" or something slightly stronger, and we move on. Losing goats is like losing puppies. I'm back to my one original girl and one buck that I bought very recently to be the herdsire. If that original girl goes, I'm getting out of goats. I don't know if it's my fault, or what but it sucks.

[Standupguy]

Dont know the reasoning of her death but I am sorry for the loss...I have a few goats and you sure do get to love them...

[southerngurl]

I don't know either, but I don't think it was tetanus, off the top of my head that doesn't sound like it. If you were giving her things orally, obviously she could open her mouth, doesn't tetanus cause the jaw to lock up?

I'm sorry you lost her.

I'd be a little worried about giving the alcohol in the future. That might kill off rumen bacteria.

[Va. goatman]

I know how you feel but stick with it I had a few losses my 1st few years and I almost gave up to I had goats just die and I had a few that found ways to kill themselves but now I almost never lose a goat Hang in there

[pookshollow]

I'm sorry you lost her. Unfortunately, it happens, and there's nothing we can do.

Entero can take them very quickly, as can pneumonia. Even vaccinated goats can go down with entero.

[nehimama]

I am so sorry. No ideas on what killed your little girl, but I know your heart is aching. (((hugs)))

NeHi

[beccachow]

I know exactly how you are feeling, I have had my share of goat losses as well. I just lost one of my little pygmy does the same way you lost yours. I am going with entero, though I don't know how or why. entero is quick and deadly. I even tried re-vaccinating mine when she started showing symptoms but it was just too late. Don't give up, let the pain ease a bit before you start making a decision like that. Not a day goes by that I don't think of Sandy, or Bandit, or Gracie, and most recently Frosty, but I usually smile now thinking of their sweet ways. No one here will pass judgment, we all know how much it hurts and that sometimes, as I learned here, goats die. They just do. God bless you.

[wintrrwolf]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know what you mean about getting attached to them even my neighbors love SugarBaby my Saanen don't know what I would do if I lost her.

[Backfourty,MI.]

So Sorry You lost your little sweetie! That's really tough, I too have lost a goat that was born here & had to put 1 down last year & I still miss them both terribly! Just reading your post got me thinking of the one I lost too! Big Hug's to you!

Sure wish I could help with the diagnosis but I really can't tell you either. I do agree with the above poster though, I don't think I'd give them alcohol. Also I would get a thermometer so you can take a temp in the future. That can sometimes help especially if there's infection, etc. And Always give them there CD & T shots. after the initial first 2 it's only once a year & so inexspensie, $5.?? for 10 dose bottle here.
Sure wish there was more I could do to help you.

It sounds like she knew you were there with her too!

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

Hang in there! You're just having a spell of bad luck.

I'm sorry but I dont know what that could have been. Someone who knows more about this sort of thing will probably see this thread soon though.

[prairiedog]

Did you get a temp on her? Can't think what might of caused it. Probably not the hay since they were use to it? Was it a new batch of hay?

[ShyAnne]

Sorry about your doe.

[Jyllie63]

I'm so sorry! I remember when she was born...very close to the time when mine was. I too would be heartbroken if I lost her

[shiandpete.1]

I am sorry for your loss! I remember when you lost your old gal last year, it was the same time we lost Daphne! Hang in there!

[Minelson]

This is so sad...I can feel the pain in your post. I'm so sorry. You tried your best with what you had. I'm sure your little girl knew you were trying to help her. Big hugs to you

[MJFarms]

Stick with it. Visit other farms see how they do it. It comes in time.

[hillbillly]

sorry

[HappyFarmer]

It could have been a few things. Really not enough detail given to determine, the swaying could be she was just so far gone, or a primary symptom, no temp given either so don't rule out pneumonia. Red spot on her vulva maybe internal bleeding maybe butted while down.

I'm sorry you lost her. You did your best, and we can't save them all. So go have a good cry, then take a look at your practices & figure out what you can do to improve. Your doe & buck need you right now, to take care of them. I know it's hard but try to turn this into a learning experience, to make it better for those remaining. We've all either lost one or sooner or later will. Your not alone.
HF

[dm9960]

I'm so sorry lots of hugs to you

[red hott farmer]

I am sorry for your loss.
I lost one 6 weeks ago, she was 6 months. she died of Congestive heart failure. one side of her heart valves was bigger than thge other side and. Goats are like us humans many many things can take them away sooner than they are suppose to go. so just love the other ones more tonite during this time of greving,
Jacque