Doe aborted - have a few questions (long)

Bradenberry · #1 04/07/11, 06:56 AM

Unfortunately, one of my does aborted on Sunday, at 122 days bred. With my lack of experience, I did not know I should have kept a kid, placenta, something to send in for testing, specifically for chlamydia. Snickers is still passing blood & chunks of tissue. I was able to scoop up a few peices of the tissue like stuff last night, put it in a jar & into the fridge. Questions - Can I use this for testing? It does have dirt on it & it's 3 days after she aborted. Who does this sort of testing? How long can I keep it in fridge prior to sending off?

Second questions - Snickers is still whining, dripping blood, eating & drinking but not her usual amount, temp 102.7. I've been giving her what I think I should, but any suggestions? Anything specifically I should be doing? I'm worried about her. I've also been milking her (and throwing it out), do I need to continue doing that?

An important note - A doe from another farm here, where I bought Snickers from aborted a few weeks ago, which is the reason for the concern of chlamydia. We've got more to kid here in the next few weeks, so we're consulting with a Vet & playing the waiting game to see what happens on both farms. That should give us a clue as to whether or not we have a real problem or just a fluke.

Alice In TX/MO · #2 04/07/11, 07:20 AM

Draining after giving birth is normal.

The milk will be colostrum for a few days, but you'll have to taste to see when it's just milk. Transition time varies from goat to goat.

Ask the vet about testing the drainage.

If he *really* thinks it's chlamydia, has he recommended treating the other pregnant does? Could prevent losing more kids!

Here's what I could find:
http://www.goatworld.com/articles/ch...lamydia2.shtml

Here's another link:
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/U/UNP-0079/

Bradenberry · #3 04/07/11, 09:18 AM

I'm calling the vet today about more information on testing. I haven't actually talked to him, the other farm/owner of the other doe has been & she's said he has consulted with Auburn, but they are not telling us it's chlamydia - they say it is not very prevalent in this area. I just know it could be a cause for abortion in goats. They did advise us to do what we are doing though - the tetracycline & crumbles for everyone. I just want to know why they both aborted. I'm very worried about the other does. Thanks for the links.

CarolT · #4 04/07/11, 09:34 AM

Were the does born on the other farm or were they or other goats brought in lately? It may not be prevalent there but may be prevalent where they came from, if that applies? I've not done much research, that's just what came to mind. Many diseases are transported from one place to another without the owner realizing

AuntKitty · #5 04/07/11, 09:53 AM

Oh Tracy I am so sorry. Were both does bred by one of the visitor bucks from Panama City? One of the links Alice posted mentioned a herd being infected by new animal or breeding.

Kitty

Tallabred · #6 04/07/11, 09:58 AM

I am the "other" farm. Betty aborted 2 weeks ago(at 119 days) and I too did not think to keep a fetus or the placenta - I was not alarmed until Snickers lost hers. Both Betty and Snickers were born on my farm(my 2nd crop), never left until Tracy bought Snickers as her first goat. The only outside goat to come to my farm has been a buck but all of the does that he bred to before he got here have kidded with no problems and he is still here and very healthy.

No kittens around - all cats are fixed. Feed stored in tack room. Hay stored in stall. Ticks have been a small problem. Everyone coppered, bosed, minerals and baking soda. We are trying to find an answer - but it might just stay a mystery.

CarolT · #7 04/07/11, 12:59 PM

How many goats on both farms are we talking about? Abortions sometimes happen and since there hasn't been a lot of traffic here there and yonder, I think I'd chalk it up to just bad luck and coincidence. Sorry for the losses, it really sucks losing babies.

Bradenberry · #8 04/07/11, 05:00 PM

The vet said the "tissue" I collected would not work. I've talked to a few labs - a no go. It will be interesting to see what happens with all the others & CarolT, I darn sure hope you're right - it'd be great to realize it was just a case of bad luck!!!