10 w/o doeling isn't doing right

[Gagroundhog]

She was normal at first but over the past 2 weeks has been fading. She's been treated for worms with fendbendazole an cocci. even though fecals were done. She was also on Molly's herbal wormer. I have a friend who is the goat lady in town the vet sent me to and we are both stumped.
She won't eat dry foods like hay and feed. She will only eat forage and her bottles but now she's fading further and is weak and doesn't want to eat at all. She just wants a bottle. She has also gotten Nutidrench and Red Cell at different times to see if they would help. Her color has been great until past couple days as she has gotten weaker.
Has anyone on here had a case of "failure to thrive" or "Fading kid syndrome"? We can't think of another cause. Her twin brother and other set of twins are normal and almost weaned. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[WannaBeFarmR]

Have you tried pelleted goat feed mixed with milk, if its just the pellets they should soak the milk right up and turn into a mash. Also maybe mix a little active culture yogurt in there? I haven't done this with goats but its worked on occasion with other baby animals that just didn't want to thrive. Experiment with how thick or thin the mix is don't leave it out or it will spoil but have some soaking in the fridge (warm it before offering it) and keep trying maybe get some on your finger and rub some in her mouth or on her lips so she can taste it. If you have the time try multiple times a day if she isn't too stressed out by that. If you haven't tried this it might be worth an attempt. I don't see how that could hurt her at this point but maybe someone else will add to this in a timely fashion.

 

[woodsie]

Have you tried Thamine? Sometimes that will help with appetite...I've been told that as they are fading their body cannot produce Thamine (Bvit) and start to fade. That is the only thing I can think of and I don't think it can hurt. You can get it as a powder or injectable, I'd try injectable at this point.

Hope she perks up for you.

 

[WannaBeFarmR]

Also is there any chance she ate something she shouldn't have? A foreign object that she pulled off something or could have blown into the area she was in? That might be something worth considering if it hasn't been explored. There is also the possibility that there is something structurally not right with her digestive system, if that is the case you have probably done all you can for her. But keep trying and I hope she is just a little under the weather and something will set her right. I'm crossing my fingers she starts thriving for you.

 

[Gagroundhog]

Thanks everybody! This afternoon she hanging in there but she is more unsteady and I'm not sure if its weakness or neurological that I'm seeing. She seems strong when she runs over for a bottle.
Sylverfly- she took a bottle with goat pellets and rabbit food dissolved in milk. I knew she wouldn't eat it but I new she wanted the bottle. That worked! Its something
Also its possible it could be a foreign object. I can't feel anything but maybe. I'll keep trying thank you for the suggestions and kind thoughts.
Woodsie- she has had Thiamine injections and we tried nutridrench and Red Cell (at different times of course) Thanks so much for the suggetions.

 

[Southern by choice]

Is your herd CAE negative?

kids with this have neurological problems.

 

[Gagroundhog]

My friend asked me the same thing about CAE. My goats are supposed to be from CAE neg herds but I suppose this is a possibility that I need to check out. I hope not.
I know it varies but how much should I expect to pay for a test. I have three babies after her to sell, I'll have to be sure they're ok.

 

[Southern by choice]

Depends if you can draw your own blood or if you meed a vet to do it and send it in.

In NC the submission to Rollins lab ( our state lab) is $10 for the group ( doesn't matter how many are in the group) Johnes and CAE are $1.50 per test.

So 10 goats tested for CAE is 10.50 +10= 25.50

If you need a vet to come out there is usually 50-75 farm call fee + blood draw and most vets jack up the price for submission. Our state is very reasonable and our lab is great.

Call your state lab and get some info... then call your vet

Most places won't accept samples from goats under 6 months so doing all your parent stock is best.

 

[Gagroundhog]

Thank you Southern by choice I'll be seeing my friend tommorrow for meds and possibly test, I just got off the phone with her and another goat friend, we were brain storming again we put her on penicillin tonight to start and tommorrow morning I'll head over to my friends house ( hopefully she'll still be with us, she still seems strong)
and get more thiamine and whatever else we can think of she may need. Wish us luck! Its a ray of hope for her!

 

[20kidsonhill]

can you outline with how much and when you wormed her last? You said, "Even though fecals were done." What do you mean exactly? Do you mean fecals were negative?

I would be careful with the red cell. It can give her copper/selenium poisoning. Can give her Iron injection and B-complex injections. Just one iron injection a week can be over dosed.