How do you know if and when to put them down? :(

[oppida]

My sweet goat Rosie has been sick for 3 weeks. We think it is chlamydiosis, but not 100% sure. Vet isn't sure either. I've been giving her subQ fluids for 2 weeks now, vitamin B, probiotics, 2 different eye ointments and 3 rounds of anti-biotics.

Her eyes are slowly clearing up, but no where near "uncloudy". She is weak, depressed and will hardly eat or drink. She has been getting around in the pasture a little bit, eating some and drinking some. Today I found her in her shelter on her side, too weak to get up without help. She is standing now, but shivering (it's cold and rainy here, so maybe that's making her worse). I covered her in a blanket.

But this all just makes me wonder how far I let this go on. I've had to put down a VERY sick goat, it was obvious she was too far gone. But Rosie, I just don't know. She is absolutely miserable, but I do see very very very small steps of recovery. But her energy levels are as low as they were when she first got sick. I find her moaning softly a lot.

I'm at a loss as to treatment- I've done everything I can think of. Part of me feels like I can keep nursing her back to health, but part of me wonders if she is just suffering so much I should put her down. I don't know how long to wait it out with her.

Any wisdom? Advice? Experience?

Never been in this situation before. It's not a good place to be, that's for sure.

 

[babsbag]

I am so sorry you are going throuh this. It is always a hard decision and everyone will have different opinions. I tend to be one that hangs on til the end, maybe too long, but if you think that she is in pain than putting her down might be the kindest thing you can do for her. Do you think it is just becasue her vision is compromised that she is depressed?

You can get a culture done from an eye swab. Pinkeye can take weeks and weeks to clear up. Are you giving her a high feed food supplement of any kind? I had a friend that had to tube feed her pregnant goat for a month prior to kidding to keep her alive. They made a slurry of alfalfa. Maybe add some molasses to her water and give her some warm water, she needs calories and energy.

Can I ask what antibiotics you have given her? The other thing that causes pinkeye is mycoplasma and the only thing that will treat that is Tylan.

Whatever you decide she is a lucky girl to have you to care for her. I know that as hard as it is you will make the best decision for her.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I'm so sorry, I know what you (and she) are going through is very hard.

In cases like this it certainly is hard to make that decsion. If she's making progress - you might be inclined to keep trying. If she's laying down and too weak to get up - that's not a good sign.

I can't tell you what to do except to follow your intuition and listen to your heart.

Sometimes death is NOT the worst thing...

 

[oppida]

I am so sorry you are going throuh this. It is always a hard decision and everyone will have different opinions. I tend to be one that hangs on til the end, maybe too long, but if you think that she is in pain than putting her down might be the kindest thing you can do for her. Do you think it is just becasue her vision is compromised that she is depressed?

You can get a culture done from an eye swab. Pinkeye can take weeks and weeks to clear up. Are you giving her a high feed food supplement of any kind? I had a friend that had to tube feed her pregnant goat for a month prior to kidding to keep her alive. They made a slurry of alfalfa. Maybe add some molasses to her water and give her some warm water, she needs calories and energy.

Can I ask what antibiotics you have given her? The other thing that causes pinkeye is mycoplasma and the only thing that will treat that is Tylan.

Whatever you decide she is a lucky girl to have you to care for her. I know that as hard as it is you will make the best decision for her.

Thank you so much. I do think she is depressed because her vision is impaired and then she also can't see enough to eat.

I've been giving her 2 different ointments for her eyes:

Neomyclin/Polymyxin and a Sodium Chloride for the edema/couldiness. I've been using the ointments for at least 2 weeks, and I have seen improvement. Slight, but hopeful. Since it sounds like it could take weeks more for her eyes to clear up, I'm very much inclined to keep this regimin going.

I've given her LA200 (2 rounds) and tetrcycline (one round) as injectable anti-biotics.

I think the tubing might be the next step. I'll try molasses in her water as well, maybe on the alfalfa mush to encourage her to eat. Her subQ fluids have dextrose in them, which I think has been keeping her alive!

Thank you so much for you wisdom and advice, I'm truly grateful!

 

[oppida]

I'm so sorry, I know what you (and she) are going through is very hard.

In cases like this it certainly is hard to make that decsion. If she's making progress - you might be inclined to keep trying. If she's laying down and too weak to get up - that's not a good sign.

I can't tell you what to do except to follow your intuition and listen to your heart.

Sometimes death is NOT the worst thing...

Thank you. She is up, but she just stands around, head hung low. It's so very sad.

Her progress is so slow and so minimal, but those little sparks of hope make me want to nurse this girl back to health! I'm determined! But on the other hand I don't want her to suffer and it's taken a toll on me- I came down with an illness which I believe is the human form of chlamydiosis (pssitacosis) from so much contact with her (despite religious handwashing!) Luckily, anti-biotics took care of it. And I also work full time, run a ranch and have 3 small children and a husband who is out of town 5 days a week for work! But, in the end, it's not all about me

My intuition says to keep going a little longer and to hold on to the little bits of progress she's making.

Thanks for listening and for you advice and support!

 

[babsbag]

I am so sorry you are going throuh this. It is always a hard decision and everyone will have different opinions. I tend to be one that hangs on til the end, maybe too long, but if you think that she is in pain than putting her down might be the kindest thing you can do for her. Do you think it is just becasue her vision is compromised that she is depressed?

You can get a culture done from an eye swab. Pinkeye can take weeks and weeks to clear up. Are you giving her a high feed food supplement of any kind? I had a friend that had to tube feed her pregnant goat for a month prior to kidding to keep her alive. They made a slurry of alfalfa. Maybe add some molasses to her water and give her some warm water, she needs calories and energy.

Can I ask what antibiotics you have given her? The other thing that causes pinkeye is mycoplasma and the only thing that will treat that is Tylan.

Whatever you decide she is a lucky girl to have you to care for her. I know that as hard as it is you will make the best decision for her.

Thank you so much. I do think she is depressed because her vision is impaired and then she also can't see enough to eat.

I've been giving her 2 different ointments for her eyes:

Neomyclin/Polymyxin and a Sodium Chloride for the edema/couldiness. I've been using the ointments for at least 2 weeks, and I have seen improvement. Slight, but hopeful. Since it sounds like it could take weeks more for her eyes to clear up, I'm very much inclined to keep this regimin going.

I've given her LA200 (2 rounds) and tetrcycline (one round) as injectable anti-biotics.

I think the tubing might be the next step. I'll try molasses in her water as well, maybe on the alfalfa mush to encourage her to eat. Her subQ fluids have dextrose in them, which I think has been keeping her alive!

Thank you so much for you wisdom and advice, I'm truly grateful!

I would retreat her with antibiotics and without a culture I don't know if I would do the Tylan or the Pen. I have treated goats for other forms of mycoplasmas and the Tylan 200 worked. I did big doses. 3 cc per day for a 30lb kid and I did it for 10 days but I was treating a very sick kid, not sure if you would need to dose her that long for pinkeye. If you don't think that the LA200 kicked it I would try the Tylan. You can get it at TSC. I don't think I would give up without another try. Have you tempted her appetite with fresh browse? I don't know where you live but my goats love blackberry vines and of course, poison oak. Another thing is try Black Oil sunflower seeds, or maybe some fresh green beans, blackberries, strawberries, pumpkin, or a common weed called vetch. (common here). Of course don't give her alot of anything, but just treats that might give her more strength and encouragement. I have been where you are so I understand.

I hope for the best for you and her. Keep us posted.

http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/U/UNP-0088/UNP-0088.pdf

The injection Oxytetracycline has produced positive results. When infection is caused by
Mycoplasma conjunctivae, the use of Tylosin (200 mg/head/
day) has been reported as effective. If the infection is caused
by Chlamydia, treat with penicillin. Applying the antibiotic
ointment Terramycin to eyes has been shown to be very
effective.

 

[bcnewe2]

What about the raw honey or raw milk ideas that I read on here? Never tried it but was keeping in my go to bag of tricks to try when needed.