Posted by Nat on March 06, 2002 at 13:47:00:
In Reply to: Panting goat posted by Mary on March 06, 2002 at 12:09:21:
While not trying to scare you, or be too ominous - how's her heartbeat in comparison to the other goats in the herd? I had a kid born this year that always seemed to be panting - so I assumed either pnenomina setting in or else a congenital heart defect. Well, it seems it was the latter I wasnt too happy but the vet said she could potentially live a full and happy life.
When the heart has some kind of defect - sometimes the blood mixes (oxegenated and unoxegenated) increasing the respiration rate - hence while they pant to catch up. My vet says that sometimes you can miss it, and notice the first time you let them out and the run around - or if they dont seem to grow as well and have no parasite/nutrition problem.
Hopefull its just fat-winter-doe syndrom :-) I wouldnt worry too much but if you have an annual vet appointment anytime soon it can't hurt for a quickcheckup
-Nat