[Huckleberry]

Our ober, Forest, became partially blocked on Thursday. He is the brother to our boy we lost to UC last November. All of our big boys have been on the treatment dose of ammonium chloride every five weeks since then. Luckily, he was getting quite a bit of urine out, but only through much effort and straining. He was moaning and visibly in a lot of pain while doing so when we came home and found him. He was up and eating still, nowhere near the point our other guy was. His last AC dose was 3wks ago and I immediately started him on it again. We tried to get his pizzle exposed without any luck due to being wethered at a few days old (lesson well learned). I did some research and started him on a higher dose, more aggressive treatment of AC and by Saturday he was peeing a normal flow and seems to be back to normal. I can’t even describe how hard this was not knowing of he would progress to the stage our other boy did.
For now, we are thanking God he is doing well, but I know how this works and I know we will most likely be dealing with this again. Once you know they’ve formed the stones you know they most likely have more coming. It is so hard having this ugly thing loom over our heads, knowing there is nothing we can do and having no control besides spending thousands of dollars on a partial temporary fix. Can I just say I hate this? We love our boys with all our heart and do not want them to suffer with this.
One thing I have been researching is AC toxicity. I don’t know if he passed the stones on his own, or if it was due to the high amount of AC we’ve been giving him. We haven’t been able to get a stone for analyzing so we don’t really know what type we’re up against or if the AC can really help for the type he may have. I have found a lot of info on the signs of AC toxicity, but nothing that really states what amount can cause it. Obviously, when you’re dealing with losing a goat the risk is worth the alternative. I’m assuming we’re not giving him anywhere near the amount to be toxic, he was getting 1.5 teaspoons every 12 hours, and will now get 1 teaspoon per day. I’m thinking of stopping it Tuesday and will be praying he doesn’t have any more blockage.

 

[Huckleberry]

He did great for the last few days, but is having some issues again today. He doesn't appear in any pain or discomfort this time, although you know how these guys hide it. He is standing to pee over and over again. He is getting a good amount out and amost appears to have a normal stream every now and then but just keep standing to pee. No pushing or straining, but doing a lot of dribble here and there. I wonder if I'm so caught up in the UC that I could be overlooking something else, although he had all the signs last week. Could this be something as simple as a UTI or bladder infection? I would think he would have ever if that were the case, but I don't know why else he would keep trying when he's getting a fait amount out. Still really interested in eating and appears well otherwise.

 

[Huckleberry]

Yeah, I agree. Today he's doing great and appears good though Will pray he stays this way. Otherwise, will get him in and see what's going on.

 

[Huckleberry]

Forest is still doing great and hasn't had any problems since last week. I'm thinking if he did pass crystals or stones, it irritated his urethra and that's why he keep standing to pee? Anyway, so happy he's doing good!