Effect of sedation on goat and teeth floating

1301 Views 21 Replies 4 Participants Last post by GoofyGoat, Oct 31, 2021

ameliawatton

Discussion Starter · Oct 28, 2021

Hi,

So two days ago my goat got his teeth floated under light sedation as he has been drooling and choking on his food the past 3 months. Very healthy otherwise. My vet said she could float his teeth because they were sharp. She did this on Tuesday evening, but found that actually he must have dislocated his jaw so floating his teeth will not stop the drooling. It is now Thurs morning and he is still pretty lethargic (just wants to sleep/rest all the time) and is not really eating / chewing cud and I am wondering how concerned I should be.

After calling the vet she said his mouth would probably be pretty sore for a few days because she used a horse rasp, but should be ok by the weekend. He only really eating finely sliced bananas. Not eating hay, tried bread and he had a couple of mouthfuls but then turned his nose up. I don't know how many bananas I should feed him to keep his rumen functioning.

Should I be worried he is not eating? He is definitely not himself and feeling sorry for himself. Should I be concerned?

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GoofyGoat

· #2 · Oct 28, 2021

If he’s not chewing cud, I’d be concerned that he’s having rumen trouble. What’s his temp? Can you give probios or room temp flat dark beer to jumpstart it. When my doeling broke her leg she was sedated and it only took about 12 hours to fully snap out of it. Did the vet give you anything for pain for him? Have you given him some vitamin b complex?
I hope he feels better soon, poor guy.

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ameliawatton

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 28, 2021

Checking on the cameras he has chewed a bit of cud this morning from what I can tell but reluctantly. I don't think he was given anything for the pain. Offered him some pro cud this morning but he just wanted bananas. I will check his temp. Hopefully his mouth is just a bit sore (even though that is horrible for him). I'm just worried that could escalate into something else

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GoofyGoat

· #4 · Oct 28, 2021

ameliawatton said:
Checking on the cameras he has chewed a bit of cud this morning from what I can tell but reluctantly. I don't think he was given anything for the pain. Offered him some pro cud this morning but he just wanted bananas. I will check his temp. Hopefully his mouth is just a bit sore (even though that is horrible for him). I'm just worried that could escalate into something else

Maybe you can offer him some warm mash, I had a mare years ago who had her teeth floated and that’s all she would eat for a few days after. You could give him a dose of banamine if his temp is normal, (you wouldn’t want to if his temp is low because it will drop it further) I don’t know your pain med options are since you’re in the UK sorry. Plain adult aspirin can be given at 1 pill per 10lbs if that’s all you have access to.
Apple sauce is another thing or oatmeal with molasses...Just trying to think of some options to get him eating since you’re worried. Maybe some fresh browse like pine or leaves too.

Reactions: 1

ameliawatton

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 28, 2021

I know, in the UK and all the roads are flooded at the moment so I may struggle to get stuff. I will keep trying the bananas and other options to keep getting food into him.

Reactions: 2

GoofyGoat

· #6 · Oct 28, 2021

Oh no, flooding is no fun.
Do you feed pellets? You can soak them in warm water as a mash...just a thought.

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ameliawatton

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 28, 2021

I have the small-holder all round goat mix and I have sheep nuts for my lamb. I'm thinking soaked sheep nuts might be ok?

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GoofyGoat

· #8 · Oct 28, 2021

ameliawatton said:
I have the small-holder all round goat mix and I have sheep nuts for my lamb. I'm thinking soaked sheep nuts might be ok?

Has he had it before (sheep nuts)? I’m not familiar with them. If he’s had them before, I would think it’s alright in small portions till he can chew again. Do you feed alfalfa pellets? They make a good mash too.

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ameliawatton

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 28, 2021

He has had it a few times. I think they are just grass pellets with vitamins. I will try those and soaked goat mix see if he will eat either

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GoofyGoat

· #10 · Oct 28, 2021 (Edited)

Sounds like a good option. You might mix a bit of molasses in there to make it tasty😉
If you can give b complex it will stimulate his appetite and perk him up. Did you ever get his temp?

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Tanya

· #11 · Oct 28, 2021

Sorry your guy is not feeling well. If he is liking bananas tou can try finely sliced apple with banana. But he does need roughage too. If you are worried you can make the pellets soft with luke warm water and actually feed to him with a turkey baster or large needless syrynge. His mouth is definately sore.

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GoofyGoat

· #12 · Oct 28, 2021

Another quick question...have you gotten him up and moving? That will also help get the sedation out of his system. That and lots of water.

Reactions: 2

ameliawatton

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 28, 2021

Hi, so just went down and he has lapped up the soaked pellet, now tentative with bananas, blended some apples with warm water and he tried to drink that but then went off it. He tried to eat some hay bless him but one mouthful and he gave up. His poop is quite soft now too. Didn't manage to get temperate. He is up and about ok, seems more alert than yesterday. Can't really walk him because of the weather (it is crazy here) and his shelter is 6x8.

I rang the company that do the sheep nuts and found they are a protein feed rather than grass pellet. I'm not sure that is really what he needs and I don't want to give him too much of the wrong stuff but conscious I need to get something in him.

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GoofyGoat

· #14 · Oct 28, 2021

The protein won’t hurt, too many bananas can give him soft stool. Since he wants to eat but is struggling I’m thinking he’s really sore. Poor baby. I hope the weather lets up for you both so you can get out. You’re doing great just keep at it. I know it’s a pain, but can you chop up his hay into small bits so it’s easier for him to chew? That will help bind up his loose stool.

Reactions: 3

ameliawatton

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 28, 2021

Yea I will try chopping it up. When I am there he seems really enthusiastic but is just mooching in his hay really rather than actually getting anything down him and as soon as I go in he just goes and sits in the corner

. I have just bought some caprivite nutrition supplement as well so might sprinkle a bit of that on the mash. Thank you very much for all your help and suggestions.

Reactions: 3

GoofyGoat

· #16 · Oct 28, 2021

No worries, I really hope he feels better soon. You’re a super goat mum, he’s lucky to have you.😃

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toth boer goats

· #17 · Oct 28, 2021

Poor guy, 6x 8 isn’t very much space to move around. Do you have a garage or other area so he can move around more during parts of the day?

He needs roughage like alfalfa pellets Softened, especially if he is eating it.

Did the vet take X-rays of the jaw?
Is he or her sure it is dislocated or is it broken?

Did the vet put the jaw back in place? There is a time frame, to get it back in place.

The vet by rights should of have given something for pain and swelling.

Reactions: 2

ameliawatton

Discussion Starter · #18 · Oct 28, 2021

Hi,

So he must have dislocated it 3 months ago. He started dribbling but there was no swelling or anything. Couldnt tell by sight any dislocation and he didnt seem in any pain, still eating etc. I've had 3 different vets out because of the dribbling and they didnt spot it, said it could be neurological or various other reasons including teeth but they were wary of sedating because of the risks. When the vet yesterday was filing his teeth she said one side had looser movement and because of the timescale had lost muscle and theres not much that we can do about it now

A lot was going on around that time when it must have happened. His friend who was a lot older got arthiris so i had to seperate them and when I was in with her and he couldnt see us he freaked out and vaulted the fence (I think that may have been when he did it) but the dribbling wasnt bad then. 2 weeks later the older goat passed away then Spinach got bad diarrhoea and depression because he was alone so vets were out but we were focussing on diarrhoea and dehydration rather than dribbling. It's been a rough year for us all

In the day their pen is open and he has the entire garden but because of the horrendous weather recently he has stayed inside.

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toth boer goats

· #19 · Oct 29, 2021

Poor guy.
Glad he is well loved and has someone like you to care for him.

ameliawatton

Discussion Starter · #20 · Oct 30, 2021

Thank you ❤ I got the vet out again yesterday and she gave him a 40hr painkiller and he perked up immediately so 🤞he is on the mend

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