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     (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From: 70.58.196.99 Rating: N/A |
Update: I just wanted to thank Goat World and Maggie for saving my goat. I was lucky enough to come across this site before I purchased my 2 pygmy does. I faithfully read post and articles in hopes of educating myself. Had I not, I would of lost Gracie to goat polio. But, I just went to see her and it's unbelievable the change in her. She was actually up and walking around and eating well. She will be returning home tomorrow and of course I am well stocked on what I need to treat this-god forbid it should happen again. Thank you very much! | ||
| Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 285 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 71.111.216.141 Rating: N/A |
In that case I might suspect the hay. From the dampness in the air the hay can become a bit moldy. But just going off feed can do it, the rumen microbes are used to being fed and dramatic change can do it. I bet the feed producer slightly changed the formula (they do that to keep things cost effective) and your goats did not approve the change. Give both goats a dose of probiotic to boost the digestive microbes. Can't hurt and may help as will the dose of B Complex. Order a bottle of Fortified B Complex, it is not a prescription drug and it si quite inexpensive. Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Lisa Peveler New member Username: lisapeveler Post Number: 4 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 70.58.196.99 Rating: N/A |
Update: The vet called first thing this morning and Gracie is doing much better. She's standing on her own and is bleeping when the vet comes to see her. She also is eating a little bit. She still is "twitching" some, but not as bad. They are keeping her one more day. I am going in today to see her and to get some B complex for my other goat (just in case). Although she so far has not shown any signs of polio except going off grain. This morning though she did eat the grain (new bag). She's a little depressed being by herself though. I have gone over and over everything and still can not figure where this came from. I buy from a national supplier, the feed store has it off the floor, the bags are spotless - no clue. We are in Oregon - flooding out from all the rain. Todays our first day of no rain in over 30 days. Of course we have mold, moss and mildew EVERYWHERE! I wonder if they picked something up out in the field? They haven't been on any meds. I don't know - I do know I never want to see this again -very scarey! This goat is so loving and playful, I couldn't stand to lose her. My neighbors think I'm crazy because they catch me running the fields playing with her! Thank you for all your help and advice Maggie - it's really appreciated! | ||
| Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 281 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 71.111.216.141 Rating: N/A |
Contaminated or moldy feed and hay are the usual culprits. And chances are the new bag came from the same lot as the old bag of feed. Do you get your feed from a small mill that makes their own or from a large national supplier? Do they store it "high and dry" or is it just warehoused? Could it have been from the bottom of a stack off a concrete floor where it could have become damp and gotten moldy? Sometimes you can't really smell the mold. Sometimes a small mill might not adequately clean the mill before changing the type of feed they are blending and an additive may have gotten mixed in. Do you feed a sweet feed with molasses? Is the hay dusty or do the goats eat from the ground? Do they get into chicken feed on the ground? How about dog kibble or bird seed? Given any antibiotics by mouth? Terramycin can be hard on rumen microbes causing a thiamin deficiency, Corid is often a factor in causing polio. It is not unusual for just one goat to be affected. But your goats are telling you something about the feed if they won't eat their usual ration. I would question the feed supplier to see if they have changed formulas or ingredients and nicely explain that your goats say something is off and one is possibly sick from the feed....I am glad she is staying with the vet and that she is getting her first thiamin IV. That is the best route to start. When she comes home be sure to continue the thiamin. Her rumen microbes must completely recover and start producing thiamin again before she is safe. Order some Fortified B Complex to have on hand in case there is a next time. It is inexpensive and you sometimes don't have time to wait for a vet. B Complex is good for any goat off feed or anemic or subject to diet changes. Any excess is easily eliminated by the kidneys in the urine, so even if they don't need it you have done no harm. Keep us updated. Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Lisa Peveler New member Username: lisapeveler Post Number: 3 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 70.58.196.99 Rating: N/A |
Thank you for getting back to me. The vet is keeping my Gracie for the night. She has to sleep at the office anyway and she felt it would be easier to keep her. I threw Polio out a thousand times atleast! She was well hydrated and her gums and eyelids were bright pink. I stayed while she put a IV in. She then was going to put some thiamin into her. She felt the IV was the best way to go. She is communicating with the other vets in the practice that I know are very educated on goats- so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. In the mean time I am monitoring my other doe for any signs of a problem. She also went off grain - and of course now she is bleeping up a storm because her sister is gone. Any idea how this could happen? The hay is kept clean and dry (I buy it one bale at a time with only 2 goats)& the grain is in a container inside. I am beside myself - this goat is as sweet as can be (bottle fed) and bless her heart, she still managed to "wag" her tail when I came out to feed them! By the time I got her to the vet she was unable to stand and was "twitching" really bad. I hope she makes - Thanks again, and I will keep you posted on her progress. | ||
| Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 280 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 71.111.216.141 Rating: N/A |
Yes this sounds like polio. The treatment is 5 mg/pound of thiamin every 4 to 6 hours for the first 24 hours then 2 to 3 times a day for 7 to 10 days. If you have B Complex injectable you can check to see how much thiamin is in each cc and dose accordingly. The Fortified B COmplex usually has 100 mg/ml. DO NOT let the vet talk you out of treating for polio, give the thiamin or Fortified B Complex at the above dosages. It is the only treatment and delaying treatment or undertreating often leads to permanent brain damage or death. Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Lisa Peveler New member Username: lisapeveler Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 70.58.196.99 Rating: N/A |
I'm in a complete panic situation and need help now! My 1 year old doe went off grain 3 days ago. I immediately suspected it was bad - although I don't know how. I replaced it with a fresh bag and she would not eat it nor did my other doe. Today I found her stumbling. She managed to come to me. Her temp is 102.5. I have baking soda free choice and a loose mineral free choice (yes, I have the right one). They get all the hay they want (it's good hay). I have a call into the vet who is on another emergency. She is going to meet me at the office in a while. I just wanted to check with you guys on your opinion of the situation. After researching it sounds like polio? Any help would be appreciated. I'm on my way out to get a accurate weight on both of them (just in case the other one goes down) Any advice would be most helpful! Thank you |