My doe is still not eating very well. I am a bit concerned that she doesn't seem to be bringing up her cud as she should although I have been doing everything I know to keep that rumen working. I have given her free choice alfalfa and grass hay, give her ID 1 liquid 3cc orally twice a day for five days, also Probios twice daily and baking soda available. I have also syringed baking soda into her mouth as a paste, but didn't do that today. she is getting hot water with molasses at least twice per day usually three times and she'll drink if I hold her head down, then she might take just a little bit on her own, but not too much.

She has no fever and seems to be in good spirits, but her cud is very weak and she isn't drinking or eating as much as I would like. Also she seems to have a bit of trouble pooping. She seems to need to kind of heave it out. And this evening it is diarrhea. Any ideas for me, folks?

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), March 10, 2002

Answers

I don't know. All I can say is that it took me a while before I felt back to normal after my C section. In general I would say try to make sure she gets plenty of fiber, if not hay maybe try a few apples? (Not a lot, that would upset her rumen.)

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 10, 2002.

Doreen,

Is it possible for you to steal some cud from another goat and give it to her? I found it easier to steal it from yearlings and kids. It's gross and be careful that you don't get bit. You might even try giving her some yogurt.

-- Charleen with Obies in WNY (charney@rochester.rr.com), March 11, 2002.

I hesitate to say anything as I'm really new at this, but is it possible she's sore or in pain? maybe a little pain killer would help her out. I think I've seen some lists here that have the right medications and dosages to use.Also is she getting any penicillen in case there is an infection coming on? Hope she gets to feeling better soon.

-- VickiP. (countrymous@webtv.net), March 11, 2002.

My first thought too, is infection. Is she on any meds?

-- Lynn (moonspinner@bluefrognet.net), March 11, 2002.

She's been on Penicillin for five days, and with no fever, I don't know about infection. She may be in pain yet, but she is soooo mellow it is hard to tell for certain. I gave her some apple this morning, but now I'm at work so I will have to wait untl this evening to try anything else. She's bright eyed, and quite aware...I really need to rim her hooves, but was kind of waiting until she was feeling much better. Thanks folks!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), March 11, 2002.

Poor Peaches! I would bet she isn't eating because she is in pain. Is she milking at all? Did she get wormed after all of this? Also when I have does who are 'down' I also put them on an oral sulfa, dimethox, albon, sulfaquin etc, just so cocci, which is so opportunisitic in our area doesn't get a hold. I like using a sulfa because it also works great for bacterial pnemonia. Keep up the pen, and keep taking her temp. If the vet would give you some Banamine 1cc per 100 pounds, it will make her feel better, I give Mustang 3/4ths cc about an hour before milking, she jumps up on the milkstand and is milking really well. You can see the drug wearing off, as you goes and lays down in about 6 hours, you can see that she is in pain in her eyes. You can not use Banamine for more than about 6 days, I ordered the Buteless, herbal pain formula from jeffersequine.com hoping for it to come in today. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 11, 2002.

I haven't wormed her. They were all wormed...(scratching head...at work here;)less than two months ago. I'll get her on sulfaquinoxylene. How long do you think I should continue with the PenG? My vet said 3 days was long enough, but I really didn't think so, so I went five.

Thanks everyone for your help!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), March 11, 2002.

Mustang will be on pen 7 to 10 days. Always worm the does the day they kid, with the C section you could wait 3 or 4 days. The hormones of pregnancy awaken the worms and eggs in your goats system that the other wormings have arrested. So many folks think worming kills everything, when really many eggs and adult wormers are pooped out alive into the ground, and many larve are put to sleep inside the doe. A doe can go from a near clear fecal to a monster growth of worms in her system overnight after kidding, or being moved/sold or any stress like this. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.

Okaleedokalee. I better worm them all then. Thanks! What happened with Mustang?

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), March 12, 2002.

She delivered very uneventfully a beautiful doe kid, when I got back out to the barn from putting the doeling in the house, Mustang was not pushing out more kids, instead went and stuck her head in the feeder for dinner. Went in and found a huge, malpositioned buck. After 1/2 an hour of me trying to get this buck out, had to yell for John to come and help, we ended up having to break up the 14 pound buck to get him out. Mustang is fine, milking really well, but I am keeping her on penicillin for the whole corse, taking her temp every morning etc. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002.