Pregnant Doe bloated, now not eating

moonspinner · #1 04/19/10, 05:45 PM

I have an 8 yr old ND doe, 4 months pregnant. She has always had a tendency to bloat up and last year she did it 3 times during pregnancy. These episodes usually last 2 days and by the end of the second day she's back to normal and eating. This time was worse. She was lying around the first two days. When the others went to pasture yesterday she walked about ten yards and then lay down.
Today the bloat was down, she was walking around more and drank for the first time in 2 days. But only nibbled slightly on some grass and a few bits of hay. Took a slight bit of baking soda. I've given her Probios and Fortified B and some Nutridrench. I did see her look like she was chewing her cud a couple times.
She is not hugely pregnant, always has twins.
I am worried about this not eating and how it is affecting the kids.
Any suggestions?

garyh141 · #2 04/20/10, 12:09 AM

Does she have symptoms of pregnancy toxemia? With only 1 month to go, and being a ND, she could have quads easily. Is is possible she is closer to due date than you suspect? The Nutridrench and Vit Bshould help with the energy somewhat. Chewing cud is good sign. Eating baking soda good sign. Grass may be too "rich" for her right now if she hasn't been used to getting grass up until the least few weeks. Make sure she is drinking, even if you need to put some enhancement in it to coax her to drink (eletrolytes, even Karo syrup or molasses). We had a week of 80 degree weather and my goaties all laid around like they were dieing. Of course, some of them have not fully shed winter hair.
If she is bloated, massage her rumen with her on a 45 degree angle (front legs on a step or something). Make her burp. Even gently rub up her neck from the bottom side.
Don't know anything else to try. Watch her closely.
Sandra

moonspinner · #3 04/20/10, 08:26 AM

I thought of toxemia too but she is not heavily pregnant and has never delivered more than twins. She is in good condition. I doubt it has anything to do with grass or diet. As I mentioned she tends toward bloating up but that is now gone. Normal temp. I did see her chewing cud again this morning, but she is not interested in eating. Wonder if calcium might help? This is the 4th day and I'm very worried that she will get weak and go down. If I see no improvement today will call the vet.

Backfourty,MI. · #4 04/20/10, 08:35 AM

I have a ND doe that too tends to bloat more easily than any of the others, usually first thing in the spring when everything is green & fresh new growth. I use Mylanta Gas or Gas X, crush them up(2-3 tablets) & either put them in a little wter or fruit flavored yogurt. Then I give it to her in a childs medicine syringe. Rub her sides & that usually works for mine.

I do have a recipe for homemade electrolyte water I got from this forum along time ago, don't remember who originally posted it but I always give it when one isn't feeling quite up to par or after kidding. Surely can't hurt her.
It is:
1 liter of warm water
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 TBSP. honey or sugar.
Mix all those up in a small bucket & let her drink it.