mama boer goat sick

memela

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Throat is swelling on one of my new mama goats. Its from her jaw and under her throat. What to do? thanks
 

Roll farms

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Sounds like it could be bottle jaw, which is basically a symptom of anemia. Usually caused by parasites.

Check her lower eyelids, if they are pale, chances are she has a heavy barberpole worm load....although there can be other causes of anemia, you may not have time to wait until Monday and have a fecal ran.

There are some things to consider when treating a goat w/ a heavy parasite load.

1st, you don't want to kill the doe by causing her to bleed out if you hit her w/ a really good dewormer and all the worms die / let go at once.
I would give her a very 'mild' dewormer, like safeguard, at 1cc per 10# for 2-3 days in a row.
Give her red cell / some form of iron supplement daily. And probiotics.
On the 4th day, I would give Ivomec at 1cc per 25#. Wait 5 days and do it again.

A fecal should be ran at some point to see if the dewormer is working. Then keep an eye on her eyelids and treat her BEFORE she gets to this point again.

I usually cull does who require frequent deworming, as their kids tend to be more prone to heavy worm loads, too.
 

memela

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Thank you so much Roll Farms... i started tonight with the safegaurd. i just hope its not to late. but one more question do i need to pull her babies from her or can they still nurse?
 

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Safeguard and ivomec are 'safe' so if that's your worry, there's no reason to pull the kids.

It would be easier for her to not have to feed them, but it's POSSIBLE she can take care of them, yes. But keep the groceries to her. Taking them may stress her worse than leaving them on her.

If she's making enough milk for them and you're supplementing her WELL (excellent hay /1/2 cup calf manna 2x a day, good 16% goat feed) she should be able to feed them and recover. Get some red cell in her.

Were her eyelids pale?

Good luck w/ her.
 

elevan

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A field test for bottle jaw: Use your thumb and press into the swelling for 5 seconds. Remove your thumb and count. If the indentation remains for a minimum of 5-8 count then it should be considered bottle jaw.

Other things that cause jaw swelling: Insect / snake bites, thorns / hay pokes, abcesses
 

memela

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Yes her eyelids were pale. they all have been eating grass put its very close to the ground due to the drought. But will be moving them to the big pastures. i was waiting on their babies to get just a little older before moving them to the pasture. Thanks so very much. i was thinking worms but just need to make sure. one more question this is the first time I have had kids and have 9 now. At what age do i need to start giving the kids their shots& wormer? What do they need to have and how much?
 

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I second giving all goats(adult or kids) with pale eyelids and/or gums a dose of Red Cell, and if you pick up Goats Prefer Probiotic Powder, you can mix two suck into the syringe and dose all at once.
No need to wait for babies to be older before letting Dam & kids out to the pasture, they will all do just fine :thumbsup ;) Just make sure they still have constant access to hay so their little internal compost bins(rumens) are nice and happy.
I find it very interesting that their rumens are happiest when they have the same ratio wet:dry as a working compost bin. :)
 

Chaty

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This is why I worm all my does after they kid and then again in 10 days. Even if they are on schedule with their worming. The stress of kidding brings on a big problem. This way its safer for the doe and babies also. Good luck.
 

Livinwright Farm

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Chaty said:
This is why I worm all my does after they kid and then again in 10 days. Even if they are on schedule with their worming. The stress of kidding brings on a big problem. This way its safer for the doe and babies also. Good luck.
You can also allow them to have free access to Pine(not ponderosa- as that can cause abortions), Hemlock, and spruce trees/branches... natural dewormers ;)
 

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We give our does a CD/T booster shot 3-4 wks pre-kidding, so the kids get passive immunity through the colostrum.
Then between 2-4 wks of age, we give the kids 2cc CD/T vaccine, and boost w/ a second 2cc CD/T 3-4 wks later. That should cover them for a year.

Since you know the dams have worm issues, I would deworm the kids at 30 days of age, repeat in 21 more days, and either have fecals ran or keep a close eye on eyelid color, coat condition, and look out for nasty butts.

If these are your 1st kids, you NEED to learn about coccidiosis. IMHO, cocci kills / stunts more kids than any other issue.

This page can help: (GOOD JOB, Elevan! - I checked to see if we had one yet and we did)

http://www.backyardherds.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2607-coccidia-goat

I use the DiMethox 40% to treat / prevent it.
 
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