Posted by Frances on December 04, 2000 at 19:40:26:
Hi. I am just writing to thank all those who took the time to post notes, send emails and showed genuine concern about Sarah. Since I last posted Sarah has been switched to "Dairymans Choice" a pro-biotic yeast based paste which is an appetite stimulant. She gets 15 grams twice daily as suggested by the producer of this product. This product also helps to rebuild the rumen after being on medication. Sarah is also getting crushed raw garlic (two times a day) to help stimulate appetite and build the immune system. This was suggested to me by a pharmacist. I had gone in for tablets as suggested in a goat book but he told me that goats need to taste the actual raw garlic which stimulates the desire to eat. Sarah is also getting black sunflower seeds, some crushed corn, small amounts of bread, sliced apples and carrots and vegetable oil, l6% dairy ration and some of our 14% sweet feed which she always loved. Her desire for bark from fresh cut cedar branches is less but she is eating more hay. She is eating better but still has not put on the weight we had hoped she would. Normally I trim her hoofs but with the recent problem on her hind joint I have had her hoofs trimmed by a blacksmith who formerly owned and breed goats and this has been a great improvement in her movement and appears to have taken considerable pressure off her joint. She walks very comfortably now. Since the corrective trim Sarah has only had one tiny flare up and nothing near the one she had before. Our veterinarian is coming out this Thursday to access Sarahs health and see what changes have happened since her last visit. Our main concern is the cold ahead and how it may effect her. We are currently working on ways to deal with that. On behalf of Sarah thank you to all for the valuable information you have shared with me and the warm wishes you have sent along for her. We live in hope that the coming winter will not be too hard on Sarah and she will again enjoy the spring and all the pretty flowers that come with it. Thanks to all. Frances & SARAH.