Aleshia 16 yr old Pygmy :(

I no longer consider her condition an emergency, so I didn't want to continue my original thread where it was.
Update: She is doing well. Gave her an oral dose of ivermectin yesterday and she's been fine.
She's still a bit bony, but that's likely loss of nutrition to the parasites... and age. It's definitely not loss of appetite.
With colder NY weather setting in, we've been keeping her in a nice warm area in the goat barn where she has cushioned rubber mats under her shavings and room to move without getting stuck if she falls on her front. We also let her walk out and dig through the hay while we do other chores. It gets her muscles moving and lets her think she's getting away with something.
On the nice days, we let her out in our back hay field to graze. For the most part she does well, but occasionally gets a little too excited and trips on something. Then we just help her front up and she goes on. My younger daughter decided she needed some kind of protection from wind, so she sported one of their t-shirts for the day.

At this point, we'll just continue doing what it takes to ensure she is happy and as healthy as she can be.

I don't want to change much with her diet. At 16, I'm assuming it's working. But I would like her to gain a few pounds before winter. (She's definitely not as round as the shirt makes her look, it's actually hanging on her.)
My next plan is to start her on glucosamine. Any suggestions on which one? Human, canine, horse?
Curious if anyone has been using it for their goats and what they've found easiest.

I can't help because I have no idea. But she is a lovely old girl and I'm glad to hear she's doing better. And she is so lucky, it makes me so happy to hear how much care you give her. She's like a family member!

OK someone may have actual advice, I'm just loving your goat

NH homesteader said:

I can't help because I have no idea. But she is a lovely old girl and I'm glad to hear she's doing better. And she is so lucky, it makes me so happy to hear how much care you give her. She's like a family member!

OK someone may have actual advice, I'm just loving your goat

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Thank you! They really are all family members.
However, I sometimes think I need my head examined. Almost half our animals you see listed in my signature are rescues. As much as I say "no more", there always seems to be something else that needs to be loved, and we just make room.
I am also blessed to have two teen girls who are very helpful. They are both planning on going to vet school. One wants to be small animal, and the other large animal. I think their current experiences will definitely be to their advantage!

Aleshia has gone down hill this weekend. Yesterday she was not wanting to move as much, but would still stand, eat and drink with help. Again, once she was on her feet, she would move to eat and drink.
Unfortunately, today she has only been able to stand for a very short time. She was still interested in food, but was definitely failing. Tonight, she will no longer try to stand, all we can do is keep her as comfortable as possible.
I am truly blessed to have to girls who love their animals, but also have the compassion necessary to know when to stop pushing for our own selfish reasons. My 14 year old has been out to the barn with me twice tonight.
We gave her some applesauce that I had crushed some aspirin in. My hope is to take some of the discomfort away and allow her to rest and go peacefully with her head on a blanket and the heat lamp keeping her warm.
It's not easy for a sappy animal lover, but I have to keep reminding myself that she's a 16 year old pygmy, and I need to let nature take it's course.

I'm so sorry - but as you seem to know - it is inevitable. May she pass quietly and peacefully. I hope your family can find the same peace in knowing that she had a good, long life.

So sorry that she's going downhill. I hope you and your family can be at peace knowing you did what was best for her. You've given her what all animals deserve of us.