[trob1]

tonight at feeding time I noticed that one doe didn't eat and was standing alone hunched up. I sat out and watched them all and noticed that 2 others were hunched up and hanging their heads low. I got temps on the 3 and they were 104.2, 104.5 and 105 so I took all the others and they averaged the same at 102.8. or so.
So here is what we are looking at

high temp
hunched with head low
all have rumen sounds (checked with stethoscope)
lungs sound clear (checked with stethoscope)
eyes clear and rosey
no runny nose
stool normal
grinding teeth some but not alot
gums nice and red
wormed one month ago just before breeding time with cydectin
wormed one month and half ago with valbazen
all does are bred anywhere from 1 month to 2 weeks along

Here is what I did

3 that are sick I gave them 3- 100mg thiamin tablets crushed orally
3 ml B-complex that has 100mg thiamin per ml sub q

What could be the deal with 3 does not acting right? The only thing I can think of is that the roll of hay they had been eating on was almost gone so I took the cattle panel out from around it and put as much of it that I could in hay feeders and let them munch on the rest. They were trampling on it and eating it. They were laying around on it so I figured I needed to just get it up and throw it out but hadnt gotten to it that has been around 3 days ago. I have spent the last 3 hours with a pitch fork getting it up and out of their shed tonight. The hay is dry and under cover so had not gotten wet.

Is there anything else that I need to do tonight or do I just need to wait till morning and try to figure this out. Oh and they range in age from 1yo to 2 of them are 4 yo nigerians and weigh around 40 to 50 lbs

 

[cjpup]

Sounds to me that they may just be cold. Whats the weather like in TN?

Their temps are slightly high but not to far out there. I think I would just make sure they are warm and then check in on them again tomorrow. I would also give them a bit of corn (if you have it) because it will stimulate the rumen and keep them wramer. I would give them hay and water and just let them be. Also, if you have a heatlamp that you can put at the barn. that may help.

I hope this helps a bit.

CJ

 

[trob1]

It isnt cold here. 51 degrees right now.

 

[cjpup]

Have you had any temperature fluctuations lately?

Like for example, in TX, it was 70 degrees yesterday and today and tomorrow its going to be 40s.

Maybe they are trying to readjust. Let me look through my books and see if I can find anything that fits the symptoms......

Actually, the only real abnormal is the slightly high temp and hunched up. Let me look.

CJ

 

[sparks879]

sounds like a tummy ache to me. Do they seem bloated or anything? AS for the temps that could be a number of different things. Odd that you're not seeing runny noses along with the high temps though. 105 is a little on the worrysome side. especially if you're having mild weather. I would continue to take their temps ever hour for the next couple of hours, see if they differ here over the course of time. The grinding teeth and hunched up look are good classic signs of tummy aches. is the hair on their faces all puffed out as well? You could probably try some pepto bismol, or better yet if you have it magnalax, its like a goaty mylanta, i always keep a big bottle on hand for tummy aches. It works really well.
beth

 

[getchagoat (Julie)]

I'd try fluids to get the temp down some - juice, koolaid, gatorade or something. That's awfully warm for this temp. We will go from 50 tonight to 20 something tomorrow and then 14 tomorrow night and I'm just 4 hours from you. You may want to put them up tomorrow afternoon if they are in the same shape. We have alot that are hunched, but all are still eating. Did you check the eyelids and not just the gums? Worms usually don't have a temp though. I usually watch that they stay moving. No matter what is wrong, if they get still, pneumonia sets in real quick. good luck tonight.

 

[cjpup]

Are they chewing their cud?

 

[getchagoat (Julie)]

I agree with Beth. I forgot about the grinding of teeth. They are in pain. Pepto eases the tummy. Beth, where do you get the other stuff? never heard of that.

You can also use Banamine if you have it. Helps with pain and with temp.

 

[cjpup]

She said there was some grinding. In my herd, when someone has a tummy ache, there is a lot of grinding. I mean you can hear it without being close to the goat. If it is a tummy ache, then pepto would definantly help.

CJ

 

[trob1]

no bloating at all infact everyone but these three have nice full rumens and these 3 feel hollow on the left side. So their rumens are not nice and full like usual for the evening. I know what you are saying about the fluffy looking face hair and I see that when they are cold but no one is that way now. The weather here has been nice latley but it is cool at night but not cold. Yesterday I spent time out walking with them in the field and it was so nice and sunny and around 55 degrees. Today I was busy so I didnt get out there till feeding time.

 

[trob1]

I just went and checked on everyone and The two sick does and each does set of twins are all inside the barn bedded down. One of the sick does daughter is also one of the sick goats. You can hear the occasional teeth grind. I seem to be hearing some coughing but not alot. I sure hope this isnt fixing to be some pneumonia going thru the herd. 4 does and the buck are bedded down outside under the shed. I just don't know if I should stir them up and give them some kool aide water or what.

 

[sparks879]

I think i would rather be safe then sorry. Some room temp gatorade would be helpful to their tummys. help to settle them.
I got my magnalax from the vet, he sold it to me when they got into grain, it helps with bloat and just tummy problems in general. It comes in a powder form, you have to weigh the goat and measure it out and mix with water. I have used it so many times, my goats other peoples goat. Its great for if they get into something they shouldn't have such as grain. When you open it up it has a chalky minty smell just like mylanta and pepto. \
if their tummys feel hollow more then likely they havn't been too enthused about eating today, i would give them each a cc or two of pepto, see if you can get that tummy feeling better. You said they were doing some grinding. So it sounds lie they havea mild tummy ache. If you can get those temps down and get tummys feeling better. You can give them some probios in a day or two to get them eating again.
beth

 

[trob1]

Just went out and got everyone up and checked the 1 yo doe and her temp is 105.8 and she is grinding her teeth big time. They are all coughing when they got up. This is more than a tummy ache. All I have is Pen G or Bio Mycin 200. What the heck is going on? I am terrified!

 

[LiddleGoteGurl]

Did you call your vet Teresa?

 

[MissMM]

Have you done a fecal test lately? If they aren't bloated, but showing the discomfort signs similar to it and are coughing - maybe it's lungworm?

 

[trob1]

Have I called a vet? Well at 11 pm I don't think I will do that.

I do not think lung worms cause a fever. I could be wrong but I do believe I am dealing with something respiratory and I just caught it really early cause I watch my goats very closely and notice the smallest thing. I just went out and their breathing is very phlemy sounding now. About 7 of them are coughing a phelmy cough now. I am not taking anymore chances and I am gonna dose anyone coughing with Bio-mycin 200 now. My little buck that is only 4 months old is coughing alot.

 

[enjoytheride]

I hesitate to offer an opinion as I am so inexperienced with something like this but a temperature means bacteria infection. I would try one of the antibiotics. And use what I had for rumin health- pepto or something.

(sorry I posted at the same time.)

 

[MissMM]

If it's a "phlemy cough" instead of a dry, hacking cough, it's likely not lungworm. I'd isolate the sick ones, give them an antibiotic + hay soaked in electrolytes w/plenty of fresh water, then call the vet in the a.m. Our vet always wants fecals. I could give him a slide w/in 24 hours & he'd do it again anyway just to be sure.

As long as we're on the subject, what is the difference between Bio-mycin and LA200?

 

[trob1]

LA-200 stings and Bio-mycin 200 does not. The only difference is the carrier they use, the meds are the same otherwise.

The cough is so sudden that lung worms just doesnt seem to fit. They werent even coughing at feed time so I think maybe I got lucky and started treatment early enough that everyone will be fine. Why is it that animals and children always seem to get sick on a holiday or weekend?

 

[sparks879]

Sounding like a respiritory infection of some sorts, is anyone dehydrated. You made a good decision to get the bio in them. Im still concerned a little about a tummy ache. Even though their temps are high they may be feeling a little chilled. Just like people do when we have a fever. If you can you may want to try and get some warm fluids down them and blanket them. Isolate the sick ones if you can. Hopefull it won't spread throughout your herd.
I hope everything goes better for you in the morning.
Beth