Help - Doe is Not Right

Blue Run Farm · #1 06/20/11, 08:03 PM

I already have the vet on the way, because I do not want to take any chances, but I'm hoping you guys can give me some advice. I just got in from feeding and my only milk doe is acting lethargic. When I got her up from laying down, she pee'd and by the time she finished her shoulder and thigh muscles were trembling. I am really worried, this girl is my baby.

I don't know her temp, I still need a new thermometer, but I did note that her eyelids seem pale. I wormed her with cydectin and valbazen about a month ago because she had sticky poo's and they went away. She's been acting fine, but now she is depressed and I am really worried.

The vet will be here soon, but is there anthing I should do until he gets here? Anything I should mention to him? He is not a "goat vet" but he used to raise Saanens and the only "goat vet" in the area killed one of my goats.

Thoughts, advice, good vibes, and prayers are all welcome right now. Thank you!

Creamers · #2 06/20/11, 08:33 PM

Did she just kid?

Blue Run Farm · #3 06/20/11, 08:59 PM

She kidded April 25.

Blue Run Farm · #4 06/20/11, 09:39 PM

Okay, the vet just left. Her temp is just under 101, so a little low. We were both surprised, as she felt a tad warm to the touch. She is mildly dehydrated, and has rumen sounds but they are a little sluggish, but not awful. And the light mucous membranes, so possibly worms. He couldn't find anything definite. We wormed her and he gave her a calcium drench and vitamin B1, he is not convinced she has hypocalcemia but better safe than sorry. And he pulled blood for a CBC and one other test, we should have results tomorrow. Also, a fecal.

DH's first question - so how much was it for the vet visit? My answer - Less than buying another goat! Snickers is a really good girl and I hate to see her obviously uncomfortable, I just want her to feel better!

Alice In TX/MO · #5 06/20/11, 10:28 PM

My answer to questions like DH is "FIFTY CENTS!" <grumble>

copperpennykids · #6 06/21/11, 01:23 AM

Low temperature (especially on a recently freshened doe) is most likely Milk Fever/Hypocalcemia.

She needs CMPK injectable, 60 ccs every 4-6 hours. (Easier to do injectable than drench).

She may also be acidotic, which can cause them to go off feed and then exhibit symptoms of milk fever (it is a wicked cycle if the rumen gets compromised). Give her a baking soda drench - 1 tsp of Baking soda in approx 1/2 cup of water, every 4 hours or so. No grain. If she is not acidotic, the baking soda won't hurt her. If it is milk fever (her calcium and phosphorous are out of balance), she should also not get grain.
So, no grain.

What have you been feeding her? Both pre-kidding and post kidding?

Hope she is on the upswing for you.

BTW, the shaky back end, along with the low temp are big indicators of hypocalcemia.

Blue Run Farm · #7 06/21/11, 08:31 AM

Thank you! We did give her calcium, both last night and I drenched her this morning again. The vet said he was not convinced it was hypocalcemia, so we did the drench as opposed to iv. She hates injections, so drenching is easier for her. I do worry about hypocalcemia, as she produces 2-3 quarts every morning then I leave the kids on her all day. So she is putting out a good bit.

She gets free choice alfalfa pellets, baking soda (though she doesn't seem to eat that), and two different goat minerals. Then she gets Blue Seal dairy goat pellets, about 1.5 pounds twice a day. And free choice good quality grass and timothy hay. I would give her more of the dairy goat pellets, but she barely eats what I give her, usually I have to leave it in her pen for her to finish. And she is in good weight and very shiny, so I feel like she is getting enough.

Pre-kidding, she was getting all of the above except much less of the dairy goat pellets. But she kidded two months ago, so she's been on the above regimen for that long. I did not give her any grain last night or this morning, but she does have everything else. The kids are in with her, because I don't want her stressing out about them, but they are nursing and I worry about that, if it is hypocalcemia will it hurt her that they are still taking her milk right now? She is completely empty looking this morning, much more so than after I milk her. So I don't think her body is making milk to replace what they have drunk, maybe because of the dehydration. I know I am nursing and I am constantly thirsty, if I don't drink my production goes down.

I hate that I have to leave and go to work now!!! But she is much brighter this morning. If I didn't know how sick she was last night, I wouldn't believe it. She's standing there munching hay and fought like crazy over the drench this morning, like I'm a nut and there is nothing wrong with her. Love that girl! I just want to make sure I am doing everything I can to fix whatever the problem is. I am going to do the baking soda drench now too, that is a great idea. She'll hate me for a minute or two, but oh well, lol.

Should have the bloodwork back around noon today. Now to go sit at work and worry...

copperpennykids · #8 06/21/11, 01:42 PM

She may hate the injections, but the important thing is that she is getting the meds...and once they are fighting you over the drench, half of it ends up on the ground. And even though she is feeling better with the calcium you have given her, she will crash again without continuing.

Those kids are old enough to wean - I would pull them. The stress of trying to feed them and draining her reserves is much worse than her yelling for them all day.

8 weeks is the common peak lactation for dairy goats - so if she just recently peaked but didn't have the reserves to make that kind of milk, then it reasonable that she crashed now.

Can you get some alfalfa hay for her to eat? Even though she is glossy etc doesn't mean she is getting the right nutrients (as evidenced by the hypocalcemia). You could also make her some alfalfa tea (like the people stuff) and drench her with that. She may just drink it from a bowl (especially if you add a little mint to it!).

But she has to get more calcium.

Try to drench or inject just as soon as you get home and then right before bed. She will come back into milk, but this could take 1-2 weeks to resolve. Goats that "crash" can take up to a month.

Best wishes.