Doe went off feed and milk production down by 1/3....possible UTI?

[SDGsoap&dairy]

In her vet's defense, she is not a "goat vet." I WORK for a vet (small animal practice/a few horses) and I still use a specialist for my goats. It's not that the vet I work for isn't knowledgeable- he is. But knowledgeable about cats, dogs, horses, etc. is not the same thing as knowledgeable about ruminants. The fact that her vet is willing to work with her on treatment options the owner is bringing to the table counts for quite a bit in my book. Is it as good as having a vet who's knowledgeable about goats in particular? No, but it means that if BlackSheep has access to information she can access Rx meds. That can mean the difference between saving a life or not- especially when your average small animal vet's response is, "bring me the goat and I'll charge out the you-know-what for an exam fee and diagnostic testing, reference a textbook really quick that you could just read yourself, tell you a couple things you already know, then take a shot in the dark about treatment."

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

In her vet's defense, she is not a "goat vet." I WORK for a vet (small animal practice/a few horses) and I still use a specialist for my goats. It's not that the vet I work for isn't knowledgeable- he is. But knowledgeable about cats, dogs, horses, etc. is not the same thing as knowledgeable about ruminants. The fact that her vet is willing to work with her on treatment options the owner is bringing to the table counts for quite a bit in my book. Is it as good as having a vet who's knowledgeable about goats in particular? No, but it means that if BlackSheep has access to information she can access Rx meds. That can mean the difference between saving a life or not- especially when your average small animal vet's response is, "bring me the goat and I'll charge out the you-know-what for an exam fee and diagnostic testing, reference a textbook really quick that you could just read yourself, tell you a couple things you already know, then take a shot in the dark about treatment."

Thats a good point..I was being a little harsh..sorry

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

In her vet's defense, she is not a "goat vet." I WORK for a vet (small animal practice/a few horses) and I still use a specialist for my goats. It's not that the vet I work for isn't knowledgeable- he is. But knowledgeable about cats, dogs, horses, etc. is not the same thing as knowledgeable about ruminants. The fact that her vet is willing to work with her on treatment options the owner is bringing to the table counts for quite a bit in my book. Is it as good as having a vet who's knowledgeable about goats in particular? No, but it means that if BlackSheep has access to information she can access Rx meds. That can mean the difference between saving a life or not- especially when your average small animal vet's response is, "bring me the goat and I'll charge out the you-know-what for an exam fee and diagnostic testing, reference a textbook really quick that you could just read yourself, tell you a couple things you already know, then take a shot in the dark about treatment."

Thats a good point..I was being a little harsh..sorry

I understand where it's coming from- finding a good goat vet is HARD.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Thankfully I have 3 large animals vets in my region of NH so I have choices. And I use all three so It makes it nice for me. But I do understand that sometimes there are no choices..and you have to make the best of what you have to work with.

 

[BlackSheepOrganics]

Well, we got a nap and Dafne (goat) got a nap. We're all tuckered out! Her temp is hanging in the 103 range and she's eating on hay, mineral, and molasses water. She still has very little interest in grain which is not good since she is the type of goat that will do most ANYTHING for grain.

Thank you for the thoughts on my vet. I admit I'm not pleased with the "she's going to die...nothing much you can do" type attitude last night but when she doesn't know, she doesn't know. It's not like they gave her a magic wand when she graduated vet school. She works with us as best she can, truly. She's always willing to give us Rx for whatever we ask, within reason.

I'm nervous as I have to leave here in a bit to take my daughter to an all weekend dog agility competition. My son and hubby are going to be taking care of Dafne. They are NOT goat guys. My son understands that if he doesn't see her through this, I am going to see to it that he is married to a big burly bertha who cracks a whip and snarls in her sleep. He's 17 and more responsible than most adults I know (he runs the farm for his father) so I am hoping he will be fine.

I do have a question though. Banamine and Ketofen were not options. Ketofen because they did not have it and Banamine because she was not comfortable with more than 1 more dose being given which meant the goat pellets could hit the fan while I was gone this weekend and they would not be able to give Banamine to Dafne. So we settled on dexamethasone. Problem is the vet was not there so I have no clue on dosing! I am googling my little heart out on it but if anyone knows, I could use the advice. I am not sure how much to give her or how often or where to inject. I believe it is IM injection though.

I'm just so tickled she is up and going again!

Thanks bunches everyone!!

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

This link may help. Its a steriod used for anti inflamatory. I would try to call the vet before you leave and see what her intention in using this is. Cuz steriods break down the immune as well. And they should'nt be on this too long. ???? So I dont know the answer to that??? But the dosing info is 1-2 mg per 100 pounds.

Ive included this link for informational purposes. It good to hang onto for reference.

Good luck...Im so glad shes improving!


http://www.barnonemeatgoats.com/drugs.html

 

[BlackSheepOrganics]

Thank you for the link. I had googled and found that it said one cc per 20 lbs but that seems like an awful lot. I like your #s better.

The purpose behind the anti-inflamatory drug is to keep her out of pain from the burn in her lungs so she wouldn't go off water and hay again. However, it has been over 24 hrs and she seems to be doing well so we're going to play it by ear and see. I just don't want to "down" her immune system anymore than we have to. Sadly, we won't be able to claim her as an organic goat anymore for milk's sake. However, she's alive and well and that beats a dead organic goat anyday!

I got a call from my son while we were traveling. He was freaked out because the goat can't seem to quit "farting" and belching" as he put it. Poor girl! At least she's not bloated and he can just deal with the "fumes".

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Why cant you claim her as an organic goat anymore. You cant really drink or sell her milk right now because of all the meds. But once her withdrawal time is done...she will be free of chemicals again??? I dont know the standards of organic milk sales...but you had to give take life saving measaures???

I would just consider her off the milking line for now..but she will not be a medicines for a long time.

 

[cmjust0]

Thank you for the link. I had googled and found that it said one cc per 20 lbs but that seems like an awful lot. I like your #s better.

It actually is 1ml/20lbs..

The purpose behind the anti-inflamatory drug is to keep her out of pain from the burn in her lungs so she wouldn't go off water and hay again.

Sort of...more like, to keep her from becoming too inflammed and irritated, because inflammation and irritation of the lungs can lead to URIs and pneumonia.

Kinda like how I got really awful bronchitis after spending an entire weekend in a trench picking rocks out of clay to run water to my barn.. Clay dust = inflammation = bacterial bronchitis.

HOWEVER...

...it has been over 24 hrs and she seems to be doing well so we're going to play it by ear and see. I just don't want to "down" her immune system anymore than we have to.

I think that's probably a good call. She may not have any inflammation...she may be over it and well on her way to recovery. A shot of banamine is one thing, but a round of steriods is much more....involved?

I'd probably hold off, too, if she's doing really well and isn't coughing and hacking nonstop.

Sadly, we won't be able to claim her as an organic goat anymore for milk's sake. However, she's alive and well and that beats a dead organic goat anyday!

I got a call from my son while we were traveling. He was freaked out because the goat can't seem to quit "farting" and belching" as he put it. Poor girl! At least she's not bloated and he can just deal with the "fumes".

Pretty normal for a goat.

 

[jodief100]

Glad to hear everything is getting better! You did wonderful.

I agree with holding off on the steriods unless it becomes necessary.

And 1 ml = 1 cc Metrics was defined to make it easy.

So 1 cc per 20 lbs or 1 ml per 20 lbs. Same thing.