Okay, I admit to being somewhat of a wreck since Cupcake passed away. I admit to eagle eying my pregnant does, and analyzing their every move. I am concerned about a couple of things though.
#1 How fast is too fast for a very pregnant doe to be breathing? My girls seem to be taking about 50 to 60 breaths per minute. One of them lets out a little moan with her breaths a lot of the time, even when standing. It doesn't seem to be getting any worse as time passes, but does it seem normal?
#2 My other doe has a snotty nose and cough. I'm debating giving her an antibiotic just in case. It has been pretty much the same for the last four days at least. She's a doe that has had a cough, sometimes better/sometimes worse, for the last two years at least. She also has seemed to get a snotty nose on occasion, especially when the weather changes. I got her about two years ago and she had this slight cough then. However, it seems worse right now. Would it cause a problem to give her an antibiotic just in case? Also, the only antibiotic I have on hand right now is Bio-Mycin 200, and it expired October 2012. I can get penicillin (I think) from a friend whom I just gave my brand new bottle to a month ago.
Please, anyone who feels like chiming in, let me know what you think?? :) It never hurts to have a second opinion on what's "normal", when to worry, and what to do.
Replies
Thank you, Patty. No kiddies overnight or today yet. She is greedily eating our newly greening-up landscape. The sun has been shining for a couple days. I recall the best vet I have ever known, Doc Pete Smith, telling me that "the (equine)mares will drop their foals once the sun starts shining". He meant it.
Sandra Hess
Heartland Midwifery
Fresno, Ohio
This is a great conversation, and I agree with both of you! We need to be learning all we can about natural health healing, and sustainability. Best wishes on your kidding, Sandra! :)
Oh goodness, I agree with what you are saying, Margaret, WholeHeartedly!
now, off topic, I know --- but, well, I just made a trip out to our goat shed (hope some day we have an honest-to-goodness" barn). Yah, yah, checking on the little (but broad!) sweet doe. oh. no kiddies, yet.
Sandra Hess
Heartland Midwifery
Fresno, Ohio
That is really awesome and NO I am sure no one minds. God has blessed us all to be able to have these animals and we are thankful for that. Just because this is not a religious site, does not mean any one is going to complain! We often let each other know that we will be praying for each other and our flocks and herds. So don't worry anymore if you mention it, ok.
I am very jealous of the knowledge you must have in your head. We appreciate you sharing it with us, because we love learning about the natural aspects of health and healing for our animals and ourselves. I know that I personally believe that God put everything that we need to stay healthy and heal our selves right here on our earth! I really wish I knew more about it though! It is a lost knowledge, so to speak, and since we were speaking of God, I might add that he said his people would perish for lack of knowledge! Well, mankind thinks it has more knowledge all the time, more and more knowledge as time goes on, but I think that these are the basic skills and the knowledge that he referred to, because these are the life saving things that man has lost through his so called civilization!
Patty, this site offers good information on Eucalyptus:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/700.html
It is advised to be careful using essential oils during pregnancy (esp. early) and external application to mucosa allows for greater absorption (internal) than to skin.
I, too, appreciate herbs/homeopathics/nutritive medicines. I started studying herbal medicine at age 11 and have never stopped learning about the God-given medicines of the earth! I hope no one minds me saying that in my personal belief-way. I am 58 and am on no medications, and enjoy good health. I have taken antibiotics once as an adult (intense illness struck home, I came down ill after caring for family members extensively- & while they received home care and recovered...I was 'done in' and resorted to pharm. I bet if I had been one of the first ill, I also would have recovered without resorting to antibiotics).
Sandra Hess
Heartland Midwifery
Fresno, Ohio
Thank you for the great information on the oils. I didn't know that about the use in pregnancy, but I'm glad to know it now. :) I'm sure I've used at least the tea tree oil during pregnancy myself. I've used them for Starlight a total of three times so far, mixed with olive oil. I've used this mixture myself many times. It seems to be soothing for me, and it does seem to help Starlight.
You are welcome, Patty. recommended, of course, is doing your own research before purhase and use.
The eucalyptus/tea tree/peppermint would work! I bet you know to use caution. Eucalyptus and tree tea oils are 'by the book' contraindicated for use in pregnancy== and have potential to irritate mucus membranes (if too strong, too much exposure...peppermint also, just lesser chance). All three are strong oils. They are easily absorbed through mucosa. All three are considered contraindicated for use in the early gestation period (humans anyway) due to potential risk of causing spontaneous abortion.
Sandra Hess
Heartland Midwifery
Fresno, Ohio
Thank you so much, Sandra! I love learning more about herbal/homeopathic care! :) I will have to look for this bromelain at Whole Foods on my next trip to town. I am so remote that if it isn't something a lot of people want, it's really hard to get. If I can't get it before she delivers, I'll still try it after if she's having trouble.
Twice yesterday I used a q-tip to apply some olive oil with added eucalyptus, tea tree and peppermint oils to the inside of her nostrils (so she couldn't lick it all off). It seemed like it may have helped last night. I didn't hear nearly as much coughing over the monitor (unless I'm just that tired by now that I slept through). :)
Both...if the breathing issue is allergy-triggered. The breathing may just be from position of doe (lying down is going to press the uterus up against the diaphram more). The apple cider vinegar could just be added into water. Not sure if same could be done for the grapefruit seed extract, but I think it likely it would work (get drunk). Bromelain could be tried, I suppose, added in to water...I have never tried any of these with goats! Bromelain will reduce phlegm, reduce swelling (sinus passages) which helps clear up sinusitits/sinus infections (snotty, cough). Bromelain should be reduced/stopped when approaching delivery range; I don't believe it has been conclusively determined, but it's suspect that it can bring risk of lowered clotting ability.
Sandra Hess
Heartland Midwifery
Fresno, O
hio
Margaret Langley said:
Thank you for the advice, Sandra. Would I just put those things in their water? I've used the grapefruit seed extract and ACV for things in the past, but not bromelain.
Sandra Hess said:
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