Bloat? Help, please!

The Tin Mom · #1 06/15/12, 11:14 PM

Cami is two years old, about sixteen months fresh She seemed a bit off this morning. We suspected bloat, although her rumen wasn't overly extended, it was larger than normal. After she was milked, ds walked her around until she belched a couple times. She seemed better, so we put her with the other girls. I checked her later and they were all laying around the hay bin. She seemed okay so I forgot about it.

Tonight we milked way late. Since Cami is so long fresh, we only milk her in the morning, so we were about half way through when I realized that I hadn't seen her. She was laying in the back of the barn. Based on the fact that her udder was very empty, I would guess she hadn't had anything to eat or drink all day. Her gut was somewhat swollen, again, not bad.

We gave her 12 cc of vegetable oil, rubbed her gut, gave her baking soda glop. Temp is 102.2 she moaned when her gut is rubbed - it was obviously painful. She did belch some but not much. We haven't seen any poops.

About 8:30, I was getting really worried, so I called the vet. The wonderful vet called back within 15 minutes. Of course, he is out of town - he had me give her another 30cc of vegetable oil and 4cc of banamine. He agreed that it was probably bloat. I rubbed her gut some more, got a few burps, not many. She had been moaning a little, but that was less after the shot and the oil. I did give her water after the shot and the oil and she drank more than I expected her to drink.

I left her about thirty minutes ago and came in to clean up. She was standing in the back of the barn, looking at me. She seemed more responsive, but was still away from the herd. Is there anything else that I can do? I am going out to check her again in a little while.

Any advice is appreciated. She is one of my best and sweetest girls, I really don't want to loose her!

Thanks!

The Tin Mom · #2 06/15/12, 11:33 PM

Right now she is laying down, still away from the rest of the herd. I made her stand and, for the first time this evening, she did not groan when I touched her side or stomach (progress? or Banamine?). Gut is still larger than normal, but not overly so. Thoughts and ideas are appreciated. I am very concerned. Thanks!

CarolT · #3 06/15/12, 11:38 PM

Sorry I don't have real advice but wanted you to know someone is listening, have you offered baking soda? Hope she is ok.

The Tin Mom · #4 06/15/12, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolT

Sorry I don't have real advice but wanted you to know someone is listening, have you offered baking soda? Hope she is ok.

Gave her the glop. I will go back out and see if she will take some. It is available 24/7 - but, as thirsty as she seemed earlier, she probably hasn't felt up to getting to the feeder it is in.

Thanks! I was afraid that I was so late that no one was really on here!

The Tin Mom · #5 06/15/12, 11:54 PM

Not interested at all in the baking soda. Laying closer to the rest of the herd, but making little squeaky, groaning noises now - almost constantly. Poor girl. I don't know what else to do.

Is there anyone awake who can help?

The Tin Mom · #6 06/16/12, 01:00 AM

Want to add that she is only fed 32 oz of grain 1x/ day on the stand. She has been fed this amount consistently for several months

KrisD · #7 06/16/12, 01:06 AM

Do you have CDT antitoxing? If so get her some now! You can give gas X if you have it or maylox Antigas. Keeps us posted and i'll keep watching.

The Tin Mom · #8 06/16/12, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrisD

Do you have CDT antitoxing? If so get her some now! You can give gas X if you have it or maylox Antigas. Keeps us posted and i'll keep watching.

Yes, how much?

Backfourty,MI. · #9 06/16/12, 06:57 AM

C & D Antitoxin is 20cc for an adult if they eat something poisonous, same amount for bloat but have never used it for bloat only when a couple of my goats got into a bush they shouldn't have & vet said give 20cc then.

I also highly recommend the Gas X. Crush up 3 or 4 tablets, the strongest strength one's you have or can get & get them down her with a little water in a childs medicine syringe, etc.
Rub her sides good, if you can get her walking that will help too.

They do have a liquid called Bloat release, I think TSC sells it.
Let us know how she is & update when you can.
Keeping you both in my thoughts.

Jyllie63 · #10 06/16/12, 07:31 AM

How is she this morning? Praying she is back to her old self!

The Tin Mom · #11 06/16/12, 07:47 AM

Thanks all. Just lost her.

Went out last night after I looked up the antitoxin. It was such a huge amount, and she was no worse - but also no better. I finally went to bed around 2 or 2:30....

When I checked this morning at 6, she was down. She was able to get up and move to another area away from the other goats. Still in pain - not as much as last night, but also in obviously worse shape than last night.

I called my neighbor the doctor & her husband, whose family raises dairy cattle. They agreed that that Cami's side wasn't as extended as you would expect for bloat, but that it was extended. Without any other ideas of what to do, we gave more oil and more banimine. My wonderful neighbor did a rectel and said she thinks there was a blockage too high up or a twisted bowel. No poo at all - and with as much oil as Cami had had, there should have been runny poo.

Cami struggled quite a bit at the end, it appeared that she was straining but couldn't get whatever it was moved... I wish the vet had been in town last night - but I guess sometimes things just aren't meant to be.

Cami used to come running when we would sing her special milking song.... "Camarillo by morning, up from San Anton.... Camarillo's the goat for me....". All my girls are sweet - Cami was the neighbor's favorite. A really docile girl who was as calm as could be.

The vet's office opens in a little while. I guess I will call them to see if they can help with the body.

Minelson · #12 06/16/12, 07:48 AM

Just reading this now Tin Mom...Sorry I wasn't on last night . How is she this morning? Praying for good news.

Minelson · #13 06/16/12, 07:49 AM

Oh no

I'm so sorry

The Tin Mom · #14 06/16/12, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minelson

Oh no

I'm so sorry

Thanks. I know this is part of having animals, but it really stinks. Cami was one of my top three show girls and definitely the most docile and sweetest of those three.

Tallabred · #15 06/16/12, 08:06 AM

It sounds like she had a blockage. I lost a doe from that. I opened her up and her intestines were empty and her rumin was solid.

I am sorry that you lost her but u did all u could do

KrisD · #16 06/16/12, 08:32 AM

I'm so sorry! I fell asleep even though I tried to stay up. It sounds exactly like what Popcorn had. Hugs

Pony · #17 06/16/12, 08:40 AM

Oh, I am so sorry... Did not see this until just now.

Tallabred is right. You did everything possible, but these things just happen.

It stinks. And I am really so sorry. {hug}

mrs.H · #18 06/16/12, 10:09 AM

I'm so sorry you lost your girl.

andabigmac · #19 06/16/12, 10:15 AM

Oh Sweetie. I am so sorry. You did everything you could. What a shame.

Backfourty,MI. · #20 06/16/12, 10:33 AM

I am so sorry Tin Mom, your right about the part that stinks, it sucks big time when we loose one of our animals for what ever reason. We all know you were trying so hard with her but sounds like it might have been something you couldn't have fixed but it still doesn't make it any easier. Hugs.