One of my 4 mo Nubian does is doing very poorly.

[murray hill farm]

not eating or drinking, clumpy poo, blank stare, looking emaciated..leaning with head against fence. Did just worm and forced down a 500mg Cipro that I had here. Still looking very sickly. Any ideas what I can do to help? 2 others, a male and female nubian..about same age doing fine.

 

[murray hill farm]

just went out and found her down at the edge of the field. Thought she was dead, but looks like almost there. Carried her into the main barn..away from the others. Doesn't look like she will live.

 

[ksalvagno]

I would take her to a vet. You didn't mention her temp. Kids can go very quickly and getting the appropriate treatment going immediately can make a big difference. The symptoms you are describing can be several things.

My first thought would be coccidia. When you said you wormed her, what did you use? Did you have a fecal done to make sure you are using the right dewormer?

Sorry it seems like she isn't going to make it.

 

[cmjust0]

I'd say coccidia as well, or perhaps pneumonia or some other type of infection. Or an end-stage parasite burden, I guess...anemia and so forth.

If she's not drinking, and was laying out in the sun, get fluid in her. If you can't actually get her in to see a vet, then at least talk to a vet about picking up a couple bags of lactated ringers' solution and SQ her as much as you can.. Half a bag over each rib would be good.

If you can't do that...and if she'll still swallow....drench her 30ml at a time w/ water and some kind of electrolyte mixture.

Supportive therapy, basically, until you have a better idea of what's going on.

 

[murray hill farm]

Thanks....had some lactaid or somethings by parent's choice for kids in my fridge. Went out to look again..really thought she was gone...but still breathing. opened her mouth just enought to get a few eye droppers in....then finially was able to actually get the bottle top in and dump a gulp full at a time..which I could see her swallow. Finially got 3 or 4 cups in her...and then she stood up and started walking around. Still pretty disorientated, but still seems like a miracle to me. I will go out and give her some more in a little bit. Thanks! I do not for a second think this is over, but if she makes it til tomorrow, I will have my truck back from repairs and can get her into a vet.

 

[murray hill farm]

no Lactaid is the wrong thing...too freaked to think straight. The stuff I gave her to drink was some kind of electrolyte drink.

 

[cmjust0]

Electrolytes are good.. If she's in the sun, get her in the shade. Keep getting her fluids.

Based on the clumpy poo and general disorientation, I think you're either looking at:

1) Coccidia
2) Parasites/Anemia
3) Infection

If I were you, I'd keep on the fluids and add something for coccidia.. If you have sulfadimethoxine (Albon/Dimethox) handy, use that...if not, run to TSC and grab a med called "Sulmet".. Someone here can get you a dosage once you have it in hand..

You just said you wormed her.. What did you worm her with, and how much did you use?

And just to cover the bases, I'd probably go with an antibiotic as well. If she's a 4mo Nubian, she's probably in the 40-50lb range*.. That calls for about 3-4ml of Penicillin (The Durvet Pen-Aqeous at TSC is fine) 2x/day for at 7-10 days.. Use a heavy guage needle -- a 20ga at least, though I prefer an 18ga..

In the meantime, continue the supportive therapy and keep us posted.


*If she's much lighter than that, I'd say it's almost certainly coccidia.