Extreme hoarseness in buckling?

[Shiloh Acres]

Hi all,

just wondering if there is a cause for sudden extreme hoarseness in a buckling? Around 6 months old Nubian, acting fine, no other signs I can detect of problems. I can barely hear him "maaa" from about 15 feet away.

I suspect it MAY be that I'm trying to get the pair weaned and separated from the does. I've been keeping them out of the barn at night and in an adjacent pasture in the daytime. There has been a lot of bawling going on and I'm thinking he probably just wore out his voice. Just don't want to overlook anything in my ignorance. He DID give a couple of short, shallow, light dry coughs today. Didn't sound like anything to worry about.

Thanks all!

 

[ksalvagno]

If you are just weaning them, then I would say he is just yelling his fool head off and making himself hoarse.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

LOL, thanks, Karen, that's what I was thinking. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something I'd not heard of and I didn't want to just assume it's nothing and let him suffer or become ill in my ignorance.

Yes, they HAVE to wean. One of the does ended up being bred a few months earlier than I'd intended. At least it was the right doe and the right buck and she's the healthiest one in the bunch. I'd wanted to put more weight on her first but she's coming along nicely as it is.

I started out to wean them twice already. The first time it caused too much uproar with the does and I figured I could let it go another month or so. The second time happened to coincide with some personal issues that ended up keeping me from my milking schedule, so I just left the kids on and they kept the does going while I was unable to for some time.

But now it is really, REALLY time. One of the little bucks is almost as tall as his dam.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[lilhill]

The screaming doesn't like too long ... I got a couple of 2 months old doelings yesterday and this morning they can barely squeak. I hate that they were plunked down in a strange place and away from everything they knew, but they are doing much better this morning and I caught one of them trying to head butt another doeling. They are settling in nicely. Weaning time around here can be rather noisy.

 

[jodief100]

I had a bottle baby doe completly lost her voice this year at weaning time. It came back (too bad). Pretty sure it was the screaming.

 

[Shiloh Acres]

Thanks y'all,

I feel much better just knowing "it happens". Too bad the OTHER little buck didn't lose HIS voice. He's much louder and more obnoxious.

I'll have to keep an eye on the hoarse one though. More than once he's gotten himself stuck by the horns and cried for help. He stays calm until I get to him though, which is good. I wouldn't want to miss his cries if it happens again. Then again, he's not in the main pasture with the wooded corners.

Thanks again!