[Violetsprite]

Hi all - a couple of weeks ago i agreed to take in 2 goats from a couple who had got divorced and needed to re-home. I don't know much about them but i don't think they were getting their full quota of TLC. i was told they were 4 & 7 years old (both female). Having had a dozen or so goats over the past 15 years i would guess that the older of the two is much older than 7 - she is sluggish, only has 2 front teeth!, has a poor coat, and just generally has the demeanour of a 12+ year old. Yesterday morning the gate had blown open and all 7 goats were out foraging and it's possible this has created the problem i've found this morning. All other goats are fine but this one failed to come up for feed this morning. When i went down she was stood leaning against one of the shed doors and there was cud all around on the floor, some on the walls etc. I suspect she has eaten something she shouldn't have yesterday and not being in the best of health it is taking a toll on her but am hopeful that with some quiet time, extra minerals, hay only etc she will be ok in 24 hours. Her stools look fine, she has just drunk a lot of water (as i have seen her do quite a few times since she came here). She seems a little weak but not lethargic & is not lying down. Her breathing seems ok but she is very drawn in and thin looking today. she has a slightly green snot/cud runny nose but does not seem uncomfortable. My obvious concern is that were she a healthy goat a good outcome might be much more likely but with only 2 front teeth & of indeterminate age/ health i suspect that all may not go so well for her. So at this stage just wondered if anyone can suggest anything in terms of similar previous experiences/treatments to try or general comments. (Please no one tell me i shouldn't have taken her on though  )

[Dogwalker]

I'm no expert so may be wrong but sounds like she's vomitted if it's green spread everywhere.
Could she have eaten rhododendron or similar, in which case it's serious and she needs a vet quick afaik.
hope I'm wrong.

[goosepimple]

OK, so you're soppy like me that's fine I understand 
 
We had a sheep ate a tinsy bit of rhodedendron last year, she foamed at the mouth and via vet advice she still died 6 hours later, stressful to say the least.  We'd just has her a week or so.
 
You seem quite calm about it so that's a good start, she is old and maybe it's her time.  Can you phone your vet for advice rather than have a visit?  Have a look around where she's been nibbling, they will want to know what the possibilities are - trust you know what plants to look for - laurel, rhode, yew, azaleas etc will all poison her.  Womer?  Creosoted fence?  Rat wee on hay?
 
I'd isolate her for sure if only for the sake of your other girls and just make her as comfy and quiet as poss.  You can reference back over the TAS threads, there is likely to be info on this in the past violet.  All the best, let us know how she goes. 

[Violetsprite]

Hi - thanks for advice - rat pee on hay? didn't know that was one to worry about - fortunately not in this case anyway.  I have separated her as suggested - particularly as the others are much livelier & likely to annoy if nothing else. She's still not lying down, not teeth grinding but every so often shifting and hunching - sides are very drawn in. No signs that she is cudding as she should be. Breathing rate seems normal & no rasping. I've looked through the cud mostly hay/grass but there are a few smallish unchewed leaves that may well be azalea although the one plant of that that we have doesn't look chewed. I think i'll work on the basis that this is the problem for now though. Thanks

[wytsend]

Yoghurt gently drenched.....will help to get the rumen started again.   She may not feel like eating if not cudding.   I find yoghurt one of the most useful things.............needs to be live tho'.
She may have some low grade pain which could do with relief, so given her age, I would contact the Vet. He/she can inject Metacam or give you one of oral versions which you can syringe down her throat.  Thin k how you feel if you have stomach ache !!!!!

[Violetsprite]

That's lovely - thank you Wytsend.

[Roxy]

   I  have taken in numerous waifs and strays over the years, including some oldies.  Wytsend has given good advice.  Willow branches also  help with pain, and to get them cudding again, and also, bicarb of soda = couple of spoonsful in warm water helps.
 
If the goat is thin, she may have caught a chill out in the open all night, and if she has gorged on grass or whatever, perhaps she is not used to it, and has overloaded her stomach.  Rubbing their sides can get them to "burp" and start to cud again.

[Violetsprite]

Thanks for all the advice - some strong sweet tea did the trick! She's back with the others and cudding normally - phew - thanks for everyone's help!

[HelenVF]

Learnt some very useful things in this thread! 

Pleased to hear she is ok.

Helen

[Dogwalker]

That's good to hear, well done.

[Roxy]

  Well done, pleased your goat is feeling better.

[goosepimple]

 

[Fleecewife]

Eeh - there's nowt like a nice cup o' tea      Good result