Sudden loss: symptoms lethargy and scours

[Sweetened]

We ended up ceasing all treatment, conventional and otherwise on Ethel, as she was teetering on the edge for several days with no change. There was about a week of worry, but she is still around, doing well. Her weight fluctuates high and low, but scours has stopped. I believe she is SEVERELY stunted from this though, she is half the size of fern and shes two days older. I finally put a collar on her to see if shes growing at all as it should get tight as weeks go by. We will see.

 

[Hens and Roos]

 

[bloonskiller911]

Firstly, let me say I am sorry for your loss. I hope you are still on the forum. I have gained a lot of insight into our practices and a few little "ah-has" that have really helped me, from posts I have read by you. We too try to stay all natural, but keep wormers on hand and your story has mirrored mine. I had the same thing happen over two weeks. a perfectly healthy 5 month old buckling died in a matter of a day on me, because I ignored some signs, and then a two year old doe, (she was a rescue that was bred when we got her and never in good health). We have never dealt with coccidia in the 3 years we have had goats, we also have sheep. I was unprepared. I blame myself. I see the disappointment in my daughter's faces. Fortunately, I have learned. But now I am also paranoid at the slightest clumpy or loose stool, cough, or any animal that may just be enjoying a lazy day. This is something I have to come to terms with. I doubt that I forgive myself, but I will damn well try my best. Now that I got some of my angst out, I have a question for you, or whomever will comment back. Did you check for anemia when your goats had loose stools? with it being so wet and everything I have heard/read on barber pole worms, I am over paranoid!! From the consistency, smell, and other symptoms, coccidia seems to be the best answer, but I can't find anything that says coccidia can lead to anemia, only that barber pole worms and liver flukes can (along with other none parasite related incidents). I hope that you are still here @Sweetened. I could still use your guidance, even if I have only gotten it from you posts and not from a direct conversation.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Thankyou Southern, and everyone. It has been diagnosed as Coccidiosis, and we have now lost Virgil and Ethel isn't doing well either. Despite treatment, they have failed/are failing quickly.

Because of this, my further contribution to this forum will be limited when it comes to advice and information sharing, as I do not feel the least bit qualified to be helping with anything. Some tough decisions will need to be made over the next little while here as to continued management and so on. While we are leaning towards continued natural management, we have considered a vaccine schedule, but I am uncertain as of yet. We are somewhat of the mindset that this weakness or prone nature from this mother's kids is a result of breeding and selection, and are considering if a survival of the fittest needs to be implemented (with support of course).

Wishing everyone here all the very best. And if my Golden Herd Membership can be transferred to someone else, I'd appreciate that greatly.

Sorry for your loss, Sweetened. Losing kids to coccidia can be devastating. I have a feeling that's what hit my Blackjack. Sometimes you can get on top of things and still have a bad run of luck.

With all my kids dropping like flies and finding nothing wrong, I know what you're going through. Goat babies can be fragile at times. If you would like some recommendations, I can offer them. Basically, this has been a tough year for animals and what you've done --or haven't done-- doesn't necessarily point to your care or lack thereof.