One of my goats has had an explosive diarrhea for the past 4 days. I separated her from her mom (she jumped the divider and got back) Gave her Pepto with charcoal, realized that was wrong after two days, then gave her Kaopectate. She got into the feeder and pooed everywhere (where she didn't poo, she wiped herself) Spent the time cleaning and disinfecting (Yuck) She is now tied.

I'm not sure what else to do. She, unfortunately, is a market goat so I don't want to spend money for a vet on her. I do have a note on the Dairy Goat forum (they moved from Homesteading)

Don't know if you realize, but when you give a goat a bath, they jump and shake their tails. Yes, wet, soapy poo everywhere.

Then, then, one of the other kids starts screaming and choking. Okay, strangled sounding scream. He starts throwing up foam. First thought "He got what the other one has" No, wrong end. Rabies? No, he's choking. So I get gloves (just in case) and rub his throat. On the second rub (these are wild goats that aren't used to being handled, by the way) he coughs up this chunk of feed that shoots into the wall of the barn. Then he ran and hid. Don't worry, he's fine.

Comes in threes?

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2004

Answers

Thank you for this story, Dee. I'm going to print it out and stick it in my "Farm Idea" book - so that the next time I swoon over baby goats, I can read this and think again!!

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2004

So sorry I haven't responded to your latest email about this, Dee! How old are these kids? Are you certain they didnt get into something toxic? Are you saying the Kaopectate didn't work at all? Are you sure you have the right dosage?

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2004

You know Polly, my boss kinda said the same thing. He shook his head and said, "I don't think a tax break is worth all that." I told him that I'm a farm girl so it's not only that. And considering all the years I've had goats, this is the first time something this bad has happened. AND I haven't lost a kid this year (knock wood) So you keep thinking about those cute little goats.

I called the vet and asked if they would give me medication for coccidia without a barn visit and they said they would. I asked if there was anyone there to do a fecal sample (why treat for it if that is not the problem) she said someone would be there in the afternoon. So I scraped up a poo sample (actually the wettest pile I could find) and run over to the vet.

The vet called to tell me it was coccidia AND worms, to treat for both. Gee, no wonder why the Kaopetate didn't work. She also said I should treat all the goats for worms while I was at it. So I did...then I realized I wanted to sell two of my bucklings that Tuesday. Aaaugh. All well, they'll be bigger in another two weeks.

I'm almost finished with the fencing of the buck pen. I haven't figured out how I'm going to make a shed. I want it to overhang a feeder and be large enough for at least three so the does could stay with him for a couple of days. I've always made them slope one way, never tired a peaked roof before. I also have to make it so he can't climb out on it. No more running with the herd for him. Turned into a bully.

That cute goat thing reminds me that for Father's Day, I blew up a picture of Glenn's goat, Billie, and put Daddy's little girl on it. (Walmart has this great machine that you do yourself.) Found a nice frame (5x8 picture) Then put googlie eyes on it. He didn't like the googlie eyes. Said it looked like we were making fun of her, so I had to take them off. Gary and I liked it. Even a stranger in Walmart thought it was a great idea. All well. At least now he can recognize her without looking at her collar.

-- Anonymous, July 03, 2004

Dee, I sure hope the gang is doing well by now. What a mess.

I just found out after shearing last week that the wether that I suspected might not be wethered after all is INDEED a ram (I "castrated" him last year while holding him by myself during the time when Mr. S. was laid up after heart surgery) and his little testes must have popped right back up inside...I really thought I had 'em!! I got the other 3 boys just fine.

Ready for this: I have 5 (at least) pregnant out-of-season ewes. Nice big udders I can see now that their fleeces are off.

How many years have I had sheep? How many males have I castrated? How many rams did I get rid of last year to avoid just this??? I turned this guy in with my ewes for all of maybe 2 hours late last winter before I thought it might not be such a good idea (he was making goo- goo eyes and other things around the girls and I thought that was a little over the top for a wether!).

So you see, *sheepish* will now be a double entendre...as I feel that way more than ever....and pretty doggone bummed. Crap!!! Like I really want to do lambing in the middle of summer with all the responsibilities and time commitment of my new job....I sure hope they lamb okay. I have one pretty old gal and also one ewe who I spent over $100 on last year with a dead fetus that wouldn't expel. Like I said, Crap!!!!

Oh well. Make lemonade I guess....or shish-ka-bob.

-- Anonymous, July 05, 2004

Note to self...No sheep either. Cows. I like cows. And chickens too.....

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2004

Poor sheepish. At least you won't have to worry about them freezing :) I was releaved when I was told that most ethnic groups like fully intact bucks. I just make sure I separate them early enough. Did have one unplanned but I was getting rid of her so I didn't mind.

Hey Polly, did I ever tell you the stories about my chickens digging up all my newly planted veggies and flowers? Any loose dirt is fair game to them.

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2004

I ain't moving to town, I don't care WHAT y'all say! As she stands there with her arms crossed and glowering...

Actually, I've got chickens and they are fairly well behaved in the raised beds; especially since I don't till or turn the soil very often. I've had sheep before, and as much as I like woolen objects, I just don't care much for sheep. Except baby lambies; and I think that's just the frustrated Catholic peeking out - I pretty much like baby anythings. I have a few other critters on my "never" or "never again" lists, so the sheep and goats shouldn't feel lonely!

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2004

Argh, critter problems! I am becoming less tolerant of 'em, I must say,and have no idea how I put up with them on a daily basis for so many years!

The few I have left now fairly drive me back to drink as it is. Still have not found a new home for Isis; dreading the idea of her coming with us, but we may have no choice. The cat is NOT street savvy at all; one of his favorite intelligent things to do is lay down in the driveway. Don't think he'll last a week in the city. Pug will be ok; she's not much trouble, and really is still a kick to have around, cuz she's so funny and has so much personality.

Polly, cows? Fergit it! I loved my little cows, but aint fun when they step on your feet, kick ya, get loose, need help calfin' or get horny, and they make lotsa manure. Good for the garden though! And yes, the babies are too precious.

I am irritable this week; and my mom is back to her old self. Pullin that high horse religious crapola on me again. Hung up on me twice; I'm not takin her disrespect anymore. I feel sorry for my dad, but like Bren says, he made his own choices too. He does not see her like we do; he didnt have her for a mother!

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2004

Really Polly...baby goats aren't THAT bad...so "swoon" all you want :-)!!!! They're actually the easiest of farm animals to raise...at least in my experience!

Sheepish...I remember when we had Columbia/Suffolk lambs and I was sure I'd castrated everyone completely....yeah right...NOT!!!! Amazing how those rams can "suck" them testes up when they're a wee bit nervous :-)!! That was just about the same time when Harry and I decided that whether it was mutton or lamb...it was ALL delicious!!!!

Anyways...Dee, I'm glad that all your "kids" are fine!!

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2004

Yup...EM, about cows!!! All I can say is DITTO!! Been there..done that :-)!!!!! Like you I will say that the babies are waaaay too precious...but lots easier to "pull" during a difficult delivery!

-- Anonymous, July 07, 2004

I think that pigs were the easiest to have. Get them as weanlings, raise them to 250 a few months later, then you're done.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2004

Pigs are fun, but they are so smart they are great escape artists! Sheep were the most work for us; they love to find an excuse to die, to give birth in the worst weather, the rams love to try breaking your knees, they can be very noisy, and no one in Minnesota likes lamb! But I still loved em. One of my favorite things about most the livestock was just watching them being themselves. Hours of lovely relaxing entertainment.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2004

Yup...I agree Dee!! Pigs are the easiest to raise...just feed 'em and ferget them...BUT, I also agree with EM that they are the greatest escape artists!!!! And they sure don't wanna come when called :-)!

Our '04 pig has "acquired" the name of AMY! We're going to be nice as H*** towards her for the next 4 or five months, feed her whatever she wants...then blow her brains out :-)!!!!

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2004

Why am I thinking that the ex DIL's name must be Amy?

Glad to see you're doing okay, Marcia; let me know if you need anything.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2004

Bingo....Polly! You guessed that right. We figure that this pig will be freezer-ready just about the time the divorce is final. So...after we "dispatch" AMY...we'll probably have a celebration barbecue with a couple of slabs of pork ribs. Anyone have any good recipes :-)??

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2004

Ok so here's a question for the experts out there/in here. My friend is going on vacation and brought her 3 angora goats to visit while she's away. One of them has the wettest rump you ever want to see! Pal says she's always like that ever since she got her. Its just yucky! Is her pee going up instead of down?? She looks like she pooped herself but there is no poop of that type around..just pellets. She practically sits to pee. I'd love to scrub her down and shave her ass but she's pretty wooly. (was sheared in April I think) Can you bath Angoras?? This cannot be healthy. Plus these guys always seem to be needing worming and or delousing... She just cannot seem to clear them up.

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2004

Oh Marcia, that is too funny.

When I first had pigs, they kept getting out but would come running for donuts (got them free stale at the store - since went out of business) Then I put in electric and they never got out again. I keep meaning to get new but end up trying too late.

Alison, I would try shaving her butt and see if it helps at all. I could see that there would be a problem if she is hairy.

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2004