?? "off doe" ??

motdaugrnds · #1 07/19/11, 10:34 AM

I would appreciate knowing what some of you do when you see a goat (Nubian doe in my case) that looks "off"; yet you cannot identify what is wrong because there is no fever or any obvious cuts and you know the baled hay and the grains are all clean and without mildew.

I have a 3 yr old doe who did not run to her grain pan this morning and now she is laying around. She just "seems off" to me; yet I have no idea why. I do know we have some poisonous nightshade on the place and that the sun/heat has played havoc with the grass and shrubs.

She has been wormed, given Bo-Se, even some B-complex and has had her tetanus (all just a couple of days ago). Her hooves need trimming yet I see no signs of damage on them. I know she is still letting at least one of her kids nurse and she does not have as much weight on her as the others do. I am thinking of giving her some C.M.P.K. and maybe a glob of Probios Paste. Not sure what else to do. Any ideas?

Backfourty,MI. · #2 07/19/11, 10:39 AM

I had a doe a day or so ago that didn't want her morning grain but then in the evening scarfed it right down. It's been extremely hot here & I think that has alot to do with it. Mine have been laying around in the shade more than normal but it's so humid this week, even at 7 a.m. it's almost unbearable!

April · #3 07/19/11, 01:18 PM

For eating issues, I almost always give a bit of baking soda or a few tums. Then I usually wait and watch to see if it was just a one-time thing. If she keeps looking off, then I start defining symptoms - taking temps, monitoring weight, measuring heart rate and respiration, etc. I don't give meds or anything until I have a pretty good idea of what's going on.

motdaugrnds · #4 07/19/11, 02:16 PM

Yes, my entire herd has been laying around in the shade more than grazing. I have no doubt the heat is affecting them and another heat wave is on the way I hear.

April, I keep baking soda out for them (on the wall near their loose minerals) all the time; and it is always used. I totally agree not to give meds unless warranted; still I like to stay on top of what is occurring and, at this time, she is not running a temperature, her heart rate is good and so is her respiration. Her weight is down more than I like so the last couple of evenings I have given "only" her an extra mix of beet pulp and alfalfa pellets (total about 1 1/2 cups). She scarfed it down last night. I've also been putting electrolytes into their water buckets (two 5-gallon buckets hung on inside of barn wall).

I still would appreciate hearing from some who stay on top of "preventative" solutions as, in this heat (and her less than I like weight), I want to catch any tummy problems quickly.

BackfourtyMI, thanks for sharing what is going on with your goats. It helps.

mammabooh · #5 07/19/11, 02:48 PM

Could she be in heat? My two girls (one lamancha, one toggenburg/lamancha) were in heat last week. They weren't very interested in their grain, the milk production was down a bit, and they just acted sort of out of it. They seem to be back to normal (for goats, at least!) now.

Pony · #6 07/19/11, 04:04 PM

Oh, a little snicker-snack of something she likes - not too much - to entice her to eat. Tums or a bit of baking soda is a good idea.

The heat has been absolutely oppressive, so it could be that.

Keep us posted.

Mammabooh, your girls are in heat in the heat of July? Hmph. MY girls wouldn't dream of that - it might make things easier for ME, and they can't have THAT! LOL!

motdaugrnds · #7 07/19/11, 05:39 PM

I seriously doubt if she is in heat. Got Sir Alginon running with the does and no one is paying him any attention.

mammabooh · #8 07/19/11, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

Mammabooh, your girls are in heat in the heat of July? Hmph. MY girls wouldn't dream of that - it might make things easier for ME, and they can't have THAT! LOL!

Yep... and now it looks as if little Cookie (the Nigerian Dwarf) is in heat also...just saw the signs this evening.