Posted by Mary on January 01, 2003 at 09:33:09:
Hello to all of my Goatworld friends, and Happy New Year. My computer has been down for what seems like eons. Currently I am working on a laptop. I sent out a message to Goat911 regarding Molly and appreciated all of the responses that I got before my computer crashed. I'll tell you, I felt like a fish out of water having a sick goat, and no computer. Molly's condition continued to deteriorate. Her quivering continued with occasional episodes of star gazing and screaming. I can't find a vet that will make farm calls because of the remote area that I live. All of my communications with the vet were by phone. He thought possibly Molly may have had an abscessed tooth, so she was started on antibiotics. After 4 days, no change. Finally I packed her up in the back of my SUV and brought her to the vet. I sure got some funny looks walking in carrying a goat. Basically her exam was normal-even nervous system testing came back OK. But, the vet feels that she may have CAE...:( how heartbreaking. She has to have blood work done, but being that it was, New Years Eve we are waiting to do it on Monday. In the mean time, Molly has been placed on dexomethasone, IM. This morning, she was eating grain for the first time in a week, and her quivering has lessened. The withdrawn look has left, and she has her sweet, inquisative look back. I've been reading up on CAE, and really haven't found anything regarding managing an animal with it. It seems that everyone just culls the animal....which is not in my vocabulary with my goats. I will not let her suffer, but if I can keep her comfortable and let her live life to it's fullest...that will be my choice. Does anyone have a goat that has CAE, and is doing OK???? I really need some inputs here. I'm so worried about her. Thankyou in advance for any help my dear friends. I will keep you all posted.
Mary