sudden death

cjmeatgoats · #1 12/30/11, 03:18 PM

we have Boer goats and our doe kids from last year were in the pen built behind the house because we did not want to breed them this year. they've been there for about two months and we've kept up with their worming and vaccinated with CD & T. we also have our older doe that we decided not breed this year out back with them. yesterday when we went out in the morning to feed them the two young does were dead. they were in the hutch laying flat out dead. Up until that point they been completely healthy running around like normal young goat's. They were not thin, didn't have runny noses and did not seem sick in any way. The older does seems to be doing well other then mourning the loss of her friends. They've been getting hay and grain twice a day. It has not been under 35° at night. The house they sleep in is bedded and offers protection from all elements. We have kept goats out here before and had no problems.

They were receiving the same grain and hay that are other goats in a separate pasture are receiving all of them are very healthy and have no problems. Is there any input on what could've happened to the young does? It is heartbreaking to of lost them so quickly and for no apparent reason. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Jyllie63 · #2 12/30/11, 03:29 PM

I'm sorry for your loss

. I have no idea what could have happened. I sure hope you can figure it out.

andabigmac · #3 12/30/11, 03:38 PM

Could the older doe have beat them up? Broken ribs? I'm sure their pecking order was already established. Can a dog chasing them scare them to death? I have no clue but I am so sorry. This must be heartbreaking.

cjmeatgoats · #4 12/30/11, 03:42 PM

The older doe is a push over and actually one of the kids was the dominant one. The pen is right behind our house and we have 3 dogs that stay inside with us and none of them made a peep so I don't think anything disturbed them.

Thanks for the thoughts though.

Goat Servant · #5 12/30/11, 03:56 PM

It seems odd that two died at the same time? I'd lean toward something they ate. Any bloat? Foam at the mouth?
So sorry.

mpete · #6 12/30/11, 04:31 PM

Sorry for your loss.
I would seriously do a necropsy... What you may find may save your other goats.

It is very odd that they died the same way

Donna1982 · #7 12/30/11, 04:32 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. Do you have chickens? Could they have gotten into the feed? I would think it was something they ate too.

cjmeatgoats · #8 12/30/11, 04:39 PM

We do have chickens but they are kept a good distance from one another.

Donna1982 · #9 12/30/11, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjmeatgoats

We do have chickens but they are kept a good distance from one another.

Could a friend or neighbor given them something they shouldn't have? My bfs father is trying all the time to give mine chocolate donuts and molded bread.

Goat Servant · #10 12/30/11, 05:26 PM

The chickens themselves post no problem, its if goats got into their feed.

suzyhomemaker09 · #11 12/30/11, 06:33 PM

I lost every doeling I had last year to pneumonia ( yes had necropsy done )
1st doeling went off her bottle...took her to the vet that afternoon, she said it was pneumonia and sent her home with some heavy antibiotics for a second dose after having treated her there with it...she only lived for a few hours after getting home.
next doeling was found dead in the pen...took her for a necropsy and a different vet said pasteurella type pneumonia...prescribed me something to keep my remaining doelings from being lost. It didn't help. I absolutely plan on vaccinating for it this Spring when kids start hitting the ground, I had never had an issue like that before.