Carla D-Great new adventures and an Amazing Life

[Carla D]

I like to have my vet write instructions down just so everything is clear.

I wanted him to do the same thing. He refused to. Actually told to follow the direction on the manufacturers label. I’m so irritated.

 

[Carla D]

I agree, find another vet.

I think so . Thank you.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Absolutely time to find another vet!

 

[Bruce]

Yep, time to go find that other vet the goat lady told you about.

 

[Latestarter]

Sadly, goats are not a "valued" livestock animal in this country. Livestock Vets prefer to concentrate on horses and cattle, also sheep if in a large sheep raising area. Most today prefer to stick with dogs and cats as that provides the best income.

 

[Carla D]

Sadly, goats are not a "valued" livestock animal in this country. Livestock Vets prefer to concentrate on horses and cattle, also sheep if in a large sheep raising area. Most today prefer to stick with dogs and cats as that provides the best income.

That is so sad and frustrating. I don’t understand why goats aren’t at least introduced in vet school. Some basics should be given.

 

[Baymule]

That is so sad and frustrating. I don’t understand why goats aren’t at least introduced in vet school. Some basics should be given.

They are, sheep too. We have a young vet that tries. He said he didn't know much about sheep, I said we didn't either and we'd learn together. He is pet and farm animal vet. He diagnosed our ewe with ruptured prepubic tendon and put her down while I bawled my eyes out. He looked it up on the internet, made phone calls to confirm his diagnosis and told us. There are good vets out there, you just have to find them.

 

[Carla D]

They are, sheep too. We have a young vet that tries. He said he didn't know much about sheep, I said we didn't either and we'd learn together. He is pet and farm animal vet. He diagnosed our ewe with ruptured prepubic tendon and put her down while I bawled my eyes out. He looked it up on the internet, made phone calls to confirm his diagnosis and told us. There are good vets out there, you just have to find them.

I found a vet with little experience on goats. Everything she’s learned was from her SIL who raises goats. I told her I’d love to work with her as I’m new as well. That we should be able to figure something out.

 

[Carla D]

Carla, please don't feel bad, everyone has agreed with you about the vet....and goats with a heavy worm load are not going to gain alot of weight....don't beat yourself up....you have no idea what condition they were in when the dairy lady was selling them. This is your first time with goats, and you are learning...i promise you if this was a year from now and you were reading this as someone elses story you would tell them your experience and probably tell them not to let their heart overide their brain.....

You are right. I would tell them that. Thank you for pointing that out to me.

 

[Carla D]

Progress report for the morning after their dehorning and banding yesterday.

I was very concerned about many of them after I gave them their thiamine and penicillin shots. Some of them dropped to the ground after giving their shots. Nearly all of them did not drink their entire bottle either. That I did expect considering everything they went through yesterday. I did put their heat lamp back in their house two days ago. They were still lightly shivering. But the biggest reason I did it was because of all of the medical issues they had been or were going to be getting. I wanted to make things as comfortable as possible during their recovery. I am also considering giving them a third bottle everyday. I may not give the full 20 ounces I don’t know.

When I went out there this morning I kinda expected to find one or two dead. But nobody died and they were really happy to see me this morning. They all got out of their house and were happy to be getting their bottle this morning. Most of them did not drink their entire bottle but it’s still less than 24 hours since their procedures. This morning it was pretty obvious that they ARE underweight. Some of them more so than others. I’ve been talking with my new vet about this issue. We’ve decided to give them more of the Calf Manna pellets since they seem to like them and are eating them better than the rest of their pellets. I also gave them some cracked corn this morning. I haven’t done that before. The vet seems to think that may as well help them gain some weight. Since their FAMACHA is really low we also discussed the option of giving them either iron injections or Red Cell orally. They have been through so much lately that I want to do whatever I can to help them recover, gain weight, and be more comfortable.