Constipated Goat?

NorCalChicks · #1 01/02/13, 11:40 PM

Evening All - it has been forever since I've posted, but tonight I could really use some experienced advice.

We have a 5/yo Boer/Nubian cross whether, who seems to have become constipated. Lakota noticed he wasn't acting right around 3:30 this afternoon, and a while later he was stretching/straining and crying. We gave him mineral oil and he started passing gas a bit and the crying has subsided, but so far no stool. How long should it take for the oil to work it's way through? We've been making him walk around periodically as well. Have we got this all wrong maybe? Could sure use some advice. Thanks in advance.

harvestmoonfarm · #2 01/02/13, 11:49 PM

Are you sure he's constipated? From the symptoms you're describing, it sounds like he may have urinary calculi. Have you seen him urinate? Have you been feeding him grain? Grain can cause UC in bucks and wethers.

NorCalChicks · #3 01/03/13, 12:06 AM

Hi Trish,
We do not feed them grain, at least not on purpose. When I feed the chickens I have to stand guard because they will break in and eat the scratch - this is why I don't use gravity feeders for the chickens! They usually manage to do a dash and grab but never get more than a couple of mouthfuls. Is there something else we can do if it is UC?

harvestmoonfarm · #4 01/03/13, 12:08 AM

http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/ar...calculi06.html

NorCalChicks · #5 01/03/13, 12:47 AM

Thanks - very informative site.

NorCalChicks · #6 01/03/13, 01:01 AM

Wanted to add that he was urinating and making normal pellets yesterday.

CaliannG · #7 01/03/13, 01:19 AM

It can sometimes take up to 8 hours for mineral oil to work its way through the system if given orally. You did not mention if you gave it orally or as an enema.

I second checking for urinary calculi. Has he peed yet? Goats will often pee every hour if they are drinking properly, or whenever they see you as a greeting. If he is straining and crying, you REALLY need to check for this. A burst bladder is a horrible way to die.

Is his rumen working? Place your ear against his side; you should hear lots of noise in there. If not, his rumen has stopped and he needs a vet.

If his rumen is still working but you still have no berries, do not be afraid to give more mineral oil. I've never heard of anything overdosing on it and it is one of the best things you can do for a kinked up gut.

Hope this helps!

Backfourty,MI. · #8 01/03/13, 06:07 AM

My 1st thought was Urinary Calculi too! The mineral oil will give him diarrhea & clean out his system so watch him really closely & if he's still straining or pawing at his belly then it is most likely UC. Does he have what looks like ice crystals stuck to the hair around his penis? If so, that's another tell tale sign.

Grain isn't the only thing that causes UC in male goats. Too much iron in our water contributes along with all grass hay & browse which equals too much phosphorus & not enough calcium in their diet.

Let us know how he does but if you even suspect UC, either you (with help) or the help of a vet needs to cut his pizzle off & get Ammonium chloride in him ASAP.

Cyngbaeld · #9 01/03/13, 09:18 AM

http://tennesseemeatgoats.com/MeatGo...tmaniaoct.html

This page has pix that may help.

NorCalChicks · #10 01/07/13, 02:39 PM

I want to thank you all for the useful advice and insight. We sadly had to have poor Attis put down. We learned a lot about goats that we desperately wish we had known before. We now are left with just his brother, who is quite lost now.
When is the best time to get another goat so he's not alone? We have a friend who has a goat he's been needing to rehome, so we were considering taking him in. What is the best way to introduce them?

Backfourty,MI. · #11 01/07/13, 03:12 PM

I am so sorry you lost your sweet Attis. We've all learned something or other from a tough lesson & no matter what it's still never easy to get over when you loose an animal.

I would put cattle panels up between the 2 for maybe a week & just see how they get along through the fence. They are most likely going to butt heads no matter what when they get put in together but it's best to start them out slow.

If you don't plan on putting the new goat in quarantine for a month & don't test then use the cattle panels for awhile in between.

When you do introduce them to each other without the fence though the more space you can give them together the better so the one that is the more of an underdog has room to get away from the other if needed.

Minelson · #12 01/07/13, 03:51 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss

Did you find out what was wrong with him?
((((hugs))))

NorCalChicks · #13 01/07/13, 04:38 PM

Thanks Katie,
We don't raise goats, our boys were just big annoying pets. But as much of a pain as they are, we just loved them both. I just wish we had know about wethers being prone to UC. To make matters worse, I think we could have saved him if we could have gotten a vet out. We called every large animal vet in Vegas as well as the next city over; but all we got was excuses as to why they couldn't help. We were even refused to have a vet come out to euthanize him because their vet wasn't familiar with goats and couldn't be sure they could find a vein. It was extremely frustrating. Lakota has really beaten herself up over not being able to save him. We finally had to have a friend come put him down for us.

Anyway, thanks for the advice on the meeting for the new goat. Our two boys actually had the run of the ranch (mostly because we could never seem to find a pen that would hold them), so we plan to put the new guy in a pen and they can still get acquainted slowly. The new guy is smaller, not sure what breed he is, and his name is Van Goat. I'll have to post an intro pic later.
Here's a pic of our lost boy just a couple of weeks ago.....
Constipated Goat? - Goats

NorCalChicks · #14 01/07/13, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minelson

I'm so sorry for your loss

Did you find out what was wrong with him?
((((hugs))))

We are pretty sure he did have UC. We also couldn't find ammonium chloride here, so if anyone knows a good place to order it online let me know. We want to be prepared in advance if it ever happens again.

GoatJunkie · #15 01/07/13, 05:05 PM

Awwww.... this is so sad. And sooooooo very WRONG that goats do not get more respect from vets. My heart goes out to you both.

It's good though, that your remaining goat will not be alone, and that the new goat has found the good home he needed.

Minelson · #16 01/07/13, 05:53 PM

What a handsome boy...I'm so very sad for you

Here is a link to where I get mine. I give my boys a dosage ball with AC in it every day.
http://hoeggerfarmyard.com/xcart/Amm...de-2-lbs..html

BethW · #17 01/07/13, 06:09 PM

Oh no, I'm so sorry it ended sadly. Attis had such a sweet face and I know you'll miss him.

I've also purchased ammonium chloride from Hoegger's. It's inexpensive but an essential in my goat-care kit.

Glad Van Goat will have a new home. Looking forward to seeing pictures of him.

Backfourty,MI. · #18 01/07/13, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCalChicks

We are pretty sure he did have UC. We also couldn't find ammonium chloride here, so if anyone knows a good place to order it online let me know. We want to be prepared in advance if it ever happens again.

I have a big bag of ammonium chloride if you want me to send you some for emergencies send me a PM with your info.
My step day lives in Vegas but comes home for the summer,