Post partum doe who's cold

PrettyPaisley · #1 03/27/13, 01:13 PM

Chi Chi is on the milk stand with me now and she is trembling. Her milk is cold, her udder is cold and she is pawing at the ground. She is nibbling a bit on feed - what's wrong with her ???

yarrow · #2 03/27/13, 01:28 PM

I would guess MILK FEVER>> get CALCIUM into her NOW.. 30 cc's every 2 hours.. this is an EMERGENCY>. you will loose her if you don't act fast..

susie, mo ozarks

**mygoat** · #3 03/27/13, 01:39 PM

Recently kidded, below normal temp, and shaking - strongly agree, hypocalcemia. AKA parturient paresis in most literature.

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/meta...and_goats.html

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/meta...l?qt=&sc=&alt=

Calcium and fast. I'd also do a bit of energy supplement, keep hay in front of her, little grain for energy. You don't need to ruin her gut either, so go easy on grain/energy supplement.

PrettyPaisley · #4 03/27/13, 01:45 PM

Where do I get calcium ?????

PrettyPaisley · #5 03/27/13, 01:46 PM

Energy like a goat drench ?

mammabooh · #6 03/27/13, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyPaisley

Where do I get calcium ?????

Injectable CMPK from the vet. You can also get oral Cal MPK from TSC, but I think the injectable is recommended in a case such as yours.

PrettyPaisley · #7 03/27/13, 01:50 PM

Okay. Called the vet. Waiting for him to call back. Ugh.

PrettyPaisley · #8 03/27/13, 01:56 PM

Oh for Pete's sake. The vet thinks she's just "gotten cold". Who do I call now? Should I get calcium at TSC and make a slurry and drench her with it ??

mammabooh · #9 03/27/13, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrettyPaisley

Oh for Pete's sake. The vet thinks she's just "gotten cold". Who do I call now? Should I get calcium at TSC and make a slurry and drench her with it ??

Oh, brother! The stuff I mentioned from TSC can be drenched as is. There are some calcium products that sting their throats (which would make her not want to eat, so don't get that stuff!), but the stuff I mentioned isn't like that.

coso · #10 03/27/13, 02:01 PM

If you can't get injectablet from the vet. Get the CMPK or MFO, and drench her with it. I would use 60cc every couple of hours. She needs something they can go down fast.

TroutRiver · #11 03/27/13, 02:09 PM

I have overruled my vet several times, he knows I don't particularly trust his judgement but he is my only source for certain medical materials. Just tell your vet you'd like to buy the CMPK, even though he thinks you don't need it. Do it yourself, you don't need his approval.

Otherwise you could contact a local dairy farm, almost any dairy farm should have injectible CMPK on hand, it is the same stuff for goats and cows. If she is that cold the oral drench might not work fast enough. I would do IV if you can, but under the skin is still faster than oral. The CMPK has some other minerals in it besides calcium (magnesium, phosphorus, potassium), straight calcium might not be enough.

If you can do it IV, make sure to give it to her SLOWLY

yarrow · #12 03/27/13, 02:24 PM

your vet isn't going to be of any use in this situation if he *thinks she's cold*.. Trout River's advice of contacting a local dairy (or anyone who has cows/goats that they milk)... should have CMPK on hand.. even if it's the oral CMPK at this point.. get some into her.. even if you have to TAKE HER WITH YOU TO THE FEEDSTORE>> Give it to her in the parking lot..and then go vet hopping/dairy searching for some injectable.. (yes, it is that serious and needs acted upon this fast)

susie, mo ozarks

mamahen · #13 03/27/13, 02:34 PM

From here: http://fiascofarm.com/goats/milkfever.htm

Clinical Signs:
The doe seems weak.
Decrease in appetite
Mild bloat or constipation
The doe is wobbly on her feet.
Inability to stand.
Muscular trembling.
Weakened uterine contractions
Decreased body temperature.
The doe may stop ruminating, urinating or defecating.
Shivering after milking

Prevention:

Exercise & proper nutrition.
Offer a good loose mineral mix with 2:1 calcium phosphorous at all times.
Feed 5-6 Tums to the doe each day, starting two weeks before kidding and continuing after freshening.
Feed more alfalfa, which contains a lot of calcium.
Add some calcium citrate powder, or other human calcium suppliments to her daily grain ration.

Be aware that if a doe shivers after milking, this could be a sign that she needs more calcium.

If you are milking the doe, do not take too much milk for the next few milkings.

Sherry in Iowa · #14 03/27/13, 02:35 PM

My vet didn't recognize CMPK..but did have MFO on hand.

Sherry in Iowa · #15 03/27/13, 02:39 PM

To keep her hanging in there until you get what you need..you could mix a cup or two of really warm water, a teaspoon of vinegar and tablespoon of molasses. It's not a fix..but it is full of calcium and minerals. If she drinks it down straight away..fix her another.

Like I said..not a fix..but something for her body to get energy/strength from until you get what you're after.

Best of luck~

edited to say: If ya don't have molasses..use honey..it has the same calcium and minerals in it. One dose of this stopped a doe of mine from shaking and she started eating again. It may buy you time.

PrettyPaisley · #16 03/27/13, 02:45 PM

Oh my goodness. I've missed milking my goats desperately but I've not missed the stress ! We are loaded up and headed to the vet. Thing is, she was just out in the pasture and came running when I called for her. She's not acting sick but I'm not risking it. I don't want to lose her-even if she did jump the fence last year and mow down my herb garden !!

PrettyPaisley · #17 03/27/13, 02:49 PM

It's so odd. I fed them all Chaffheye all the way through the pregnancies, they had access (always have) to loose minerals, and she has acres to run on all day long ! She did lose a lot of blood when she kidded and her udder has been huge for the past week or so. I don't understand why this happened.

Jyllie63 · #18 03/27/13, 03:43 PM

There's no rhyme or reason to them getting it. It's like a woman who gives birth 6 times and only one time she develops toxemia...makes no sense. You've been given great advice! Keep us posted!!!

punchiepal · #19 03/27/13, 04:27 PM

Here is a home recipe that Alice just posted.
Homemade CMPK substitute

PrettyPaisley · #20 03/27/13, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punchiepal

Here is a home recipe that Alice just posted.
Homemade CMPK substitute

Thank you for this. The vet said she was anemic and to give her Red Cell. He said her body temp was good, she was eating grass and her udder was warm so she is "fine". Looks like I'll be whipping up a batch of this drench for her when we get home. And looking for a new vet.