Jumping the Moon Dairy - the next chapter

[babsbag]

It is going through the entire litter. The first two sick are now well, one was sick last night but is fine this morning. There are two that are sick right now, and a few that are recovering. It is frustrating as nothing fits 100%. I have them on an antibiotic and the vet says that that will negate a definitive fecal. I was going to get a sample in before starting the drugs but the pups didn't cooperate and all the samples had too much straw in them. Someone suggested that perhaps Mia has low grade mastitis. I can run my own bacteria plates, maybe I should practice on her.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Have you visually checked her milk? How’s the dam’s temp? Poor pups.

 

[Southern by choice]

I know it stinks that it is going through but at least it is clearing up with the first ones. Very scary.

 

[babsbag]

I wish that I knew what it is. I will be cooking up some hamburger and rice for them tonight.

I have checked Mia's milk and it looks fine but I have not taken her temp. She acts ok.

 

[babsbag]

Someone on FB mentioned Rotavirus. It seems like it is the only thing that fits except for the exposure part. I don't have wild animals on my property and there has been no one in the barn but me and my barn shoes don't leave our property. Tonight there are two that aren't feeling good, they all nursed and one vomited and one almost did. They are all a little lethargic, just not playing like puppies.

 

[greybeard]

Someone on FB mentioned Rotavirus

Isn't it also zoonotic?

 

[Southern by choice]

is it the same as coronavirus? Haven't seen that in like 25 or so years.

 

[Wehner Homestead]

Poor babies!!

 

[farmerjan]

Rotavirus is the "intestinal" one and coronavirus is the "repiratory & intestinal " one. Yes Rotavirus is a zoonotic one as it is very common in humans. Although said to be species specific, many cases of mutations have been recorded. There are vaccines for cattle/calves for it. I think there is a vaccine for the coronavirus in dogs but don't remember about the rotavirus. It is a problem in some dairies with their calves having it. There is a chance they may have contracted it from your goats.....But no real links can be determined. The biggest thing is to make sure they are kept hydrated and do not contract any other problems that will further compromise their immune systems.
I know with the calves, having them in the cleanest conditions, and constantly cleaning out the pen/hutch is essential, as well as making sure they don't dehydrate.

I am not a dog breeder, but having had 2 hogs have litters, and the piglets got it and I lost 2 litters within days, has me a little more aware of the severity of it. Had piglets autopsied and the vet said what happens is the villi in the intestines die off and they cannot absorb the nutrition, they get diarhea, and basically starve until the intestines can "repair" themselves. It was a horrible thing . And I have seen it as a continual problem on some dairies. There is one farm I will not get baby calves from as they would always get sick and die and it turns out they have a big problem with it.

 

[Southern by choice]

Rotavirus is the "intestinal" one and coronavirus is the "repiratory & intestinal " one. Yes Rotavirus is a zoonotic one as it is very common in humans. Although said to be species specific, many cases of mutations have been recorded. There are vaccines for cattle/calves for it. I think there is a vaccine for the coronavirus in dogs but don't remember about the rotavirus. It is a problem in some dairies with their calves having it. There is a chance they may have contracted it from your goats.....But no real links can be determined. The biggest thing is to make sure they are kept hydrated and do not contract any other problems that will further compromise their immune systems.
I know with the calves, having them in the cleanest conditions, and constantly cleaning out the pen/hutch is essential, as well as making sure they don't dehydrate.

I am not a dog breeder, but having had 2 hogs have litters, and the piglets got it and I lost 2 litters within days, has me a little more aware of the severity of it. Had piglets autopsied and the vet said what happens is the villi in the intestines die off and they cannot absorb the nutrition, they get diarhea, and basically starve until the intestines can "repair" themselves. It was a horrible thing . And I have seen it as a continual problem on some dairies. There is one farm I will not get baby calves from as they would always get sick and die and it turns out they have a big problem with it.

good info