We lost a kid this morning. Need Help

[Ariel301]

No, salt/mineral deficiency would take a long time to kill a goat, and they'd be fairly sickly I think before dying. But since we're on the subject, most goat keepers find that a loose (powdered) mineral supplement formulated specifically for goats works better, because the salt blocks are often inadequate--they don't contain a high enough dose and the goat can't eat enough to get what they need. I don't think that is what killed your kid though.

 

[noskiveez]

I would like to thank you for the suggestion of "Choking". We take water into the pen in jugs so the pen isnt wetted. Its easier to pour the water than carry a full water pan. I'm almost certain Buck ate one of the caps to the water jug. There is a missing cap. I leave the jugs in the coops so the goats jugs are used with the goat.

I think I feel worse knowing this didn't have to happen at all. I KNOW they are like 2 year olds and I let this happen.

 

[KellyHM]

Also keep in mind that goats (and cows, horses, etc) can "choke" on feed or just about anything if they scarf it too fast and it lodges in the esophagus. It basically doesn't allow them to get rid of air from the rumen and they bloat and die pretty quickly. That's another possibility besides actually choking on something in the trachea.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

I would like to thank you for the suggestion of "Choking". We take water into the pen in jugs so the pen isnt wetted. Its easier to pour the water than carry a full water pan. I'm almost certain Buck ate one of the caps to the water jug. There is a missing cap. I leave the jugs in the coops so the goats jugs are used with the goat.

I think I feel worse knowing this didn't have to happen at all. I KNOW they are like 2 year olds and I let this happen.

Im sorry That makes it hard for you Im sure. But please dont over anaylse...your gonna drive yourself crazy.

I would agree that it was something sudden, like an accident of sorts...and remember...accidents happen. Thats why they call them accidents.

Most diseases/infections/worm issues etc in goats will show obvious signs that you would'nt of missed.

These things happen...I alway say "goats can find trouble in an empty room" and in my expirence its sooo true. They are curious animals and sometimes that curiousity gets them in trouble. Their senors (like our finger tips are in thier mouths...thats why they seem to mouth everything and got the wrong reputation of being able to eat anything!) Its sooo important to not leave anything around for them to get in trouble with cuz they will.

Take this expirence and learn from it..that the best you can do for yourself and your goaties.

Im really sorry for your loss I hope you find peace through this.

 

[emilypaonia]

I'm sorry for your loss. Especially hard to lose an animal when you do not know why. Someone suggested a snakebite - I wonder. Or a black widow or brown recluse? Did he seem to have any wounds or bite marks? Does anyone else have experience losing small goats to spiders/snakes? I often wonder about that in my herd. I have not lost anyone, but we do have black widows and such lurking in the shadows...

Again, so sorry. But maybe he did choke on the cap. So sad

 

[noskiveez]

I picked thru all of his hair looking for any signs that might have given me a clue but didn't see any red, bruised or discolorations. We do have some very nasty snakes and spiders here. We've had a big problem with scorpions over the last 6 months, especially when the feild equipment has been active around the house.