Khaleesi & Aaliyah's Kidding Thread

[Mini Horses]

First, how is the goat kid doing????

Then, in general, it's great for all who read these threads because of the things that come up often, they "bank" info.
It's important to learn things you should look for in an animals "normal" that can trigger you to suspect illness....for instance, when a horse is laying & gets up, they generally stretch before moving on. If they get up, don't stretch, then just stand -- check on them. Most will get up if you approach when they are laying, if not...check them. Kicking at stomach...check them.

If you call your vet for help, they will want to know temps, runny eyes, nose, color of discharges, any smells, fecal status, activity level, breathing, sounds (gut & lungs) and so on, and so on. It's always best if we can have most of that information and observations ready to help them help us. These things are why some replies for help inquiries have these questions asked before a suggestion is made.

Goat whisperer, you are correct -- many of our herd are newbies to some of their animal types and individual animals, also. It is very important for us to reinforce some of the things we have had to learn (and relearn!) but, they might not know or remember to do .... especially when in overdrive emotions over a sick animal. Been there, right??

And yes, Babsbag, I have also treated a "suspect" when the situation is one where I feel the risk of a dose of meds is better than the downgrade that can happen in 12 hrs. It's a judgment call that sometimes we make. Most of us are not vets but, in many cases have more experience with some issues for goats than many vets.

 

[babsbag]

You need to take his temp for starters.

It was in my very first post on this thread.

 

[thailand]

Thanks everyone. I ended up taking Taji (buckling) to the vet to have his temperature taken and to listen to his lungs for congestion. He had a temperature of 103.8 and she could hear congestion on his lungs. So, he was given Tolfenic acid and Enrofloxacin IM. I was weary of what medication they might want to give him (being that they are not goat vets) and she kindly obliged by phoning the local livestock officer who confirmed that these medications were ok for baby goats. Can someone here please confirm this for me. And, his temp of 103.8, is that high for a baby goat?

I've been keeping a close eye on him over the last 2-3 hours and he seems absolutely fine, running around like a lunatic and feeding alot.

Thanks everyone for your great timely advice. I feel much happier now he's been seen to.

Babs - I haven't had to inject a goat yet....and I haven't vaccinated any of them . Basically just too scared to do it myself. (Just being honest).

As for Aaliyah - yesterday she didn't have any goo at all, but it has returned today. Not much at all just a drop. But, the good news is her ligs are soft and almost gone. The family are planning on going out tomorrow afternoon to a local Ag Fair. I want to go....but......she'll likely decide to give birth then right! Being a FF I'd like to try to ensure I'm there for her when the time comes.

Well, that's all the news for today friends. I must post some more photos of Taji. Maybe tomorrow afternoon when he's running around outside I'll take some and post here.

 

[thailand]

Oh, forgot to add: the vet said just the one time dose of enrofloxacin and Tolfenic. No need to return unless he suddenly takes a turn for the worse. Does that sound right?

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Goat whisperer, you are correct -- many of our herd are newbies to some of their animal types and individual animals, also. It is very important for us to reinforce some of the things we have had to learn (and relearn!) but, they might not know or remember to do .... especially when in overdrive emotions over a sick animal. Been there, right??

Hence my reason for reminding the OP to take the temperature. Yes, Babs, I saw that you posted that prior I'm just reinforcing that because I see people take the "easy" way and don't take the temperature. If the kid had a 107 temp, you'd sure as heck want to take the temp every few hours after the meds are given and track it until the goat gets better.

But, having been on this forum for a long while now, I've seen it time and time again where although mentioned, the temperature never gets taken and jump right to antibiotics.

And yes, I've given antibiotics to goats without a temperature. I follow my gut and the data


Now I thought they had no goat vets in Thailand???

Idk. I've worked closely with my vets and maybe that's why I'm OCD over it. Same way I dislike it when people just using google to find goat medical information

 

[babsbag]

Glad the he got some meds and seems to be doing well.

@Goat Whisperer She didn't go to a goat vet. Thankfully they were still willing to help. What is the roll of the livestock officer?

103.8 is not super high, but high enough. Normal is 101-102.x , sometimes 103 if they have been out in the sun on a hot day. Enrofloxacin is trade name Baytril and is great for pneumonia in goats. Unfortunately for the USA we are no longer allowed to use it in food producing animals due to antibiotic residue in animals and it being an important human antibiotic they are trying to avoid antibiotic resistance.

I had to look up Tolfenamic acid. It is a NSAID to reduce fever so should be fine. It is not available in the US.

You need to get a digital thermometer and label it GOAT so you can take the temp, it is a very important tool to have. And as far as the vaccines, they are important. Can you even get CDT vaccines over there? You need to get brave, I can't imagine owning livestock and not doing my own injections. I have even vaccinated chickens, that was more frightening than the goats.

 

[thailand]

Hey everyone just thought I should give an update. Aaliyah had twin doelings! Both perfect. One is pure white and the other is black/brown.

 

[luvmypets]

Yay!

 

[animalmom]

Pictures, woman! Where are the pictures? We need an update on Khaleesi too, please and thank you.

 

[thailand]

LOL. I just love you guys! This is such a friendly forum. Ok, it's almost midnight here now. Will try to post photos over the next couple of days.

I am almost at the end of a three day conference, but then we will be travelling 10 hours into the mountains and back on Saturday, taking one of our kids to a funeral for his grandfather, and two of our girls to another village to visit their grandmother and brother. Gonna be tired after this lot for sure.

Will get onto photos asap.