Valentina update

[Mills1950]

Valentina was diagnosed with joint ill last Friday. She has been on the antibiotic Excede q48hrs. Giving probiotics and hydration. At the time of diagnosis she had 103.8 fever. Good news is that her temp is now 101.8, eating very well, no digestive disorders, however still limps on right rear leg some trouble getting up and down. Just gave her this am the last dose of Excede, so tomorrow I am taking her back to the vet to see what further treatment plan she needs. Hoping the vet has some answers, would like for him/her to give some ban amine so perhaps Valentina will use her rear leg more-----concerned about atrophy. I'm not sure if she will need further antibiotic coverage... Wish us luck tomorrow. Thanks David

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Glad to hear that things are starting to look up. I'll bet that once the infection clears up and she gets to using the leg more, it will be fine. Keep us posted.

 

[nmred]

What is "joint ill?" Could you describe her symptoms and the treatment more thoroughly, please? Any updates would be great, too.

 

[Mills1950]

This is an explanation of joint ill by the Merck Vet Manual---basically the bible of vets. I will explain in another post her signs/symptoms and missed opportunities.

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/90607.htm

 

[Mills1950]

Ok this is going to be somewhat long so bear with me. If I can prevent it happening in another baby---then my wish comes true. Valentina was born Valentines Day---when I found her just barely alive- her twin had already died ---barely breathing and very cold---her momma ignored her completely. My first thoughts were to get her warm---inside the pickup with the heat on high----to dry her off---so I gave her some Karo so she could come around---knowing that she hadnt had anything my first thoughts were to get her to eat something. When she was able to stand on her own very hungry---I fed her what I had at the time. At or before this time, I should have dipped her navel in iodine---which i had in barn---but at this point I wasnt even sure if she would survive. After being fed and acting like a true baby goat, I tried getting her momma to accept her---no way. I took her immediately to the vets office for suggestions---still no iodine on the navel.. Feeding her homo goats milk and for the first 48 colostrum replacer (not supplement) Things were going well for about a week except for constipation----on day 8 she developed a limp in her right hind leg----took to the vet again---gave her Bo-Se and b- vitamins----within 4 hours she was flipping and flopping like a baby does---so I thought all is well. What I didnt know at the time was that the vet gave her some banamine in with the Bo-Se (compatible not sure) So on Friday after the banamine has worn off---here comes the symptoms back even worse. Took her back to the vet---hopefully correct diagnosis this time with joint ill. The first vet gave what I thought was a thorough exam---except didnt ever take a temperature----so obviously he missed diagnosed what was truly going on---and the banamine masked her true symptoms. Why wasnt the temperature taken have no clue---doctors always do that even with us.

Ok so her symptoms were lethargic, limping and leg weakness, appetite was good, a temp of 103.8, and constipation. The second vet diagnosed as joint ill---gave her a high dose of thiamine and started her on Excede (ceftiofur free acid) an antibiotic----suggested I continue with 3 more doses of the antibiotic given every 48 hours and give her as much water between meals as she would take to hydrate her. Continue with the probiotics and b vitamins.

So lessons learned:

Colostrum, Colostrum, Colostrum!!!!
Dip that navel!!!!! No matter what the circumstances are
Find a vet that truly gives a real thorough exam and cares

 

[EggsForIHOP]

A good update - I NEEDED a good news update just now Thank you for keeping us posted, even though i will never meet valentina, I like good news

Have you tried any therapy with her leg? like moving it around and such carefully just to be sure she still can? Just a thought...might hurt her some still to use it for her, but make sure she keeps wiggling it so it doesn't atrophy.

Let us know what the vet says - and how she progresses! She's in good hands with a family that is fighting so hard on her side!

 

[Queen Mum]

Good summary. Thanks for that information. It is very helpful.

 

[Mills1950]

Just back from the vets office---Valentina's fever has gone back up the highest it's been during this ordeal----104.6!!!! Failed treatment with Excede and now started on Nulfor----so basically we are right back were we started. Don't know why her fever has spiked even early this morning it was 101.9 for the last 4 days it's been normal between 101.8 to 102.4. Vet also gave her some ban amine for the fever and pain.