Over this - now she's hurt

2happymamas · #1 03/14/14, 09:04 PM

I am so over this crap. My two mini-nubian does have been ruthless with my new Saanen. She's lost weight because the two MN does were not letting her eat. and I am working to get her back to health.

I bought the Saanen on December 28th, 2013 and she is almost one year now. We have one 10x15 stall that they stay in at night. They are mostly in the yard during the day, although there are times that they stay in the stall all day (one day per week when I work, rain, etc).

My Saanen got her foot stuck in something tonight and one of the bully does took it upon herself to ram her at least 10-15 times before we could get in there to stop it. Luckily my wife was in the barn and was able to help Ruby Mae. Ruby has been walking with a slight limp for a couple days and we've been keeping an eye on it. She was rammed tonight in the same leg that has been bothering her and now it looks swollen. There is a definite bump above her leg (think thigh area) that is not on the other side. She will put a little weight on it, but is also limping.

We are going to buy a cattle panel tomorrow to separate the stall into two so Ruby and the nice wether can be stall mates.

In the meantime, what do you think of her leg? Vet or no? If so, can it wait until Monday and what should be be doing in the meantime. I am getting so ---- frustrated with the two bully does. My Saanen is so freaking sweet and does not fight back at all.

LomahAcres · #2 03/14/14, 09:48 PM

Hmm, that is an odd place - I might be worried about internal damage/bleeding. What is her temperature like? Acting ok otherwise? Could just be swollen/bruising - I would try a shot of banamine and see if it will go down at all.

2happymamas · #3 03/14/14, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LomahAcres

Hmm, that is an odd place - I might be worried about internal damage/bleeding. What is her temperature like? Acting ok otherwise? Could just be swollen/bruising - I would try a shot of banamine and see if it will go down at all.

Anything you can recommend that can be purchased at TSC? She is also bred and it would need to be safe to use in pregnancy.

Clovers_Clan · #4 03/14/14, 10:05 PM

Poor girl, I'm so sorry. That's quite a lump.

BAR-B-QUE... For the bullies. That's unacceptable. Life's too short for mean goats.

2happymamas · #5 03/14/14, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clovers_Clan

Poor girl, I'm so sorry. That's quite a lump.

BAR-B-QUE... For the bullies. That's unacceptable. Life's too short for mean goats.

That's what kills me. My two registered mini-nubian does were sweet as pie until I bought the Saanen. Now they are just a-holes to her. I knew there would be an adjustment period, but it's been 2.5 months. I am over it (but won't be barbecuing my does, lol).

myheaven · #6 03/14/14, 10:59 PM

If you can get the udder balm from tsc with mint or wintergreen and tea tree oil that will help with swelling an pain. Topical. Put it on the bump. I don't remember the name off hand.

GoldenWood Farm · #7 03/15/14, 05:21 AM

Things might and probably will change a bit once your saanen doe kids out. My meek does turn into tigers sometimes once they kid. Love those hormones! As far as your girl's leg I agree with Lomahacres. I would be worried about internal damage and would be keeping a very close eye on your girl.

I know how frustrating it is to bring a new doe into the herd and have everyone gang up on her. Give it some time and once your saanen kids I am guessing things will change a bit.

Justine

hurryiml8 · #8 03/15/14, 06:45 AM

Maybe if you separate the two trouble makers from each other for a while. You can really change herd dynamics by separating certain goats and then putting them back together. My timid doe broke her leg and I had to keep her separate from the doe who caused her to break it for two weeks. When I put them back together, the timid doe was queen and almost a year later she still is. And she is ruthless to the doe who used to beat her up.

2happymamas · #9 03/15/14, 07:11 AM

I have to work today and DW is going to be building another stall in our barn today so they won't be together. They are fine together out in the yard and it's only in the stall that they pick on Ruby. Hopefully this will work and poor Ruby can get a little peace. We're going to put the wether in the stall with her.

Will have my DW keep a close eye on her today.

notwyse · #10 03/15/14, 07:46 AM

Ice it. Probably a hematoma if she is walking on the leg. Had a doe get her shoulder broke in a similar situation. Good luck.

nehimama · #11 03/15/14, 08:20 AM

If this were my situation, I'd do either as your DH is doing (make another stall), or one of the nubians would be finding a new home. More drastically, perhaps find another home for the Saanen doe.

IndyGardenGal · #12 03/15/14, 10:44 AM

I'm glad you are separating them, and I agree it sounds like a hematoma.

Backfourty,MI. · #13 03/15/14, 11:46 AM

Separating them is the best idea. When you put them back together the bigger the space the better so the docile doe can get away from the other two.
Poor girl, hoping it's just a hematoma.

punchiepal · #14 03/15/14, 05:11 PM

We used to have 2 standard nubians and 2 standard saanens as a part of our herd a few years ago. The nubians were definitely the bosses! When they left we saw a whole new personality to the saanens. It totally surprised us to see their personalities change like that. Good luck.