have had a run of bad luck with my goats...

Aimee · #1 03/18/13, 11:38 AM

Last week, I had one older goat, two yearlings, and three kids. I now have one older goat and one kid. :-( Last month, I lost another older goat too. Not sure what happened to any of them.

They all were normal the day before and I found them when I went out in the morning to feed them. I could not find any marks them. One of the yearlings just disappeared with no signs of where he went.

This morning, one kid was dead in the shed and one kid was dead by the hay feeder. The other kid was stuck in the fence by the hay feeder and has an abrasion on her neck with the hair all removed. She also has chew marks on her legs. None of the others had any chew marks...?

I am attaching a pic of Baby Ruth to see what you think I should do to help her heal. I know antibiotic ointment but is there anything else I should do?

chewie · #2 03/18/13, 11:49 AM

I don't see any pic, but real sorry for your troubles. seems like the year for trouble.

Aimee · #3 03/18/13, 11:49 AM

The pics didn't work. I tried again and they upload but won't attach... odd. but I am doing this from my phone.

Ford Zoo · #4 03/18/13, 11:51 AM

I hear pneumonia can kill a goat fast. Sorry to hear you are having a hard time. I'm also wondering if you have a predator around for the others? What kind of fencing do you have? How large was the kid that up and disappeared?

Ford Zoo · #5 03/18/13, 11:56 AM

Do the chew marks have puncture wounds in them, or are they scratches--and how deep into the skin do they go? I would probably clean them well, use the antibiotic ointment, then cover her with PCN if there are punture wounds. Predators tend to have very dirty mouths so expect at least a localized infection.

Ford Zoo · #6 03/18/13, 11:59 AM

Another thought, is she up to date on her tetanus?

Aimee · #7 03/18/13, 11:59 AM

I have two LGD. I have mostly field fencing and some cattle panels. The one that disappeared was a yearlings so he was pretty big. He has always been great at jumping fences. I thought when he got bigger, he wouldn't be able to jump but he still did.

Aimee · #8 03/18/13, 12:07 PM

no puncture marks. just scratches. what is PCN ?

I will check on the tetanus but I am sure she was up to date when I got her from Emily. will text Emily now.
thanks

Aimee · #9 03/18/13, 12:35 PM

Emily told me to get a necropsy done so am calling vet now. Will let you know what I find out.

Blue Run Farm · #10 03/18/13, 12:58 PM

I am so sorry you are having so much trouble. Glad you are getting a necropsy, it will help to know what is going on.

Minelson · #11 03/18/13, 01:45 PM

Oh how awful! I'm so sorry

I hope you get it figured out with the necropsy. (((hugs))

harvestmoonfarm · #12 03/18/13, 02:36 PM

Are you sure your LGDs aren't the culprits? A goat with bite marks, stuck in a fence, would signal to me that a predator was chasing it. A missing goat would signal that the goat jumped the fence and took off to get away from a predator. Dogs kill and don't bother eating any part of a goat.

Crazy Farmgirl · #13 03/18/13, 02:43 PM

Sorry things have been rough there, hope you find out what the issue is!

JBarGFarmKeeper · #14 03/18/13, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harvestmoonfarm

Are you sure your LGDs aren't the culprits? A goat with bite marks, stuck in a fence, would signal to me that a predator was chasing it. A missing goat would signal that the goat jumped the fence and took off to get away from a predator. Dogs kill and don't bother eating any part of a goat.

I would have said predator too. All LGDs aren't created equal but I wouldn't accuse yours without "knowing" them.

harvestmoonfarm · #15 03/18/13, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBarGFarmKeeper

I would have said predator too. All LGDs aren't created equal but I wouldn't accuse yours without "knowing" them.

Not accusing the dogs, but wondering why a predator would be able to get in without the dogs at least alerting to it. It's just all a bit questionable, especially with the bite marks and missing hair.

Aimee · #16 03/18/13, 06:22 PM

I went ahead and took Baby Ruth to the vet too just to be on the safe side. I don't want to lose her too if I can help it.

They did a fecal on Baby Ruth and gave her Baytril for scours and gave me Ivomec for her and Sonya for lice I found on her while I was there.

The vet said that he thought that the kid I took in might have had pneumonia but will let me know more when he gets reports back...

Aimee · #17 03/18/13, 06:26 PM

The fur missing is on Baby Ruth, the one that got stuck in the fence and it was from rubbing the fence trying to get loose.

Aimee · #18 03/18/13, 07:01 PM

The vet said what I thought was a bite mark was not a bite mark.

Backfourty,MI. · #19 03/19/13, 06:38 AM

I'm so sorry for the loss of so many of your goats. I hope the necropsy helps determine what is going on & caused your losses.
Are you looking for the yearling? Wondering if there's woods, etc. by you if you might still find him?

ozark_jewels · #20 03/19/13, 02:51 PM

Hope to hear from you soon on what the vet finds. The losses to your little herd are just terrible.

I would think predator too, except the ones you have found dead haven't been bitten or marked up, so that doesn't make sense.