Well great, Penny is 4weeks and 2 days and all of a sudden Butter wants no hay or feed, she wouldn't even get up and come out in the pen today, that I know of (unfortunately I was gone almost all day with my mom to Dr, cause she almost died week before last from bleeding ulcers). I realized when I got home very late today what was going on and called hubby at work and he said she wouldn't come out to eat for him this morning either. She did eat some brush we cut for them this morning.
Her eyes look totally white! It scared me to death when I first looked at them. I thought, she is fixing to die, like right now, this minute. Then I realized that wasn't likely, but I better start doing something.
She looks like her bag is empty, not normal, hoping maybe it's just a little lower production cause she's sick or maybe that Penny just emptied her more, not that she is actually drying up on Penny. Penny weights about 6lbs. 6 ozs. now, so maybe she is just eating a lot more.
*about means: my guess on or what I hope, got inside after all the wrestling, dripping and slobbering was over!
I gave her about 10cc safeguard, 6cc vitamin gel (vits. A D E B12 and lactic acid producing microbials), melted down some people chewable C, B Complex, garlic in about an ounce of hot water added a does of copper and started pouring it to her. Don't really know what else I should do right know @ midnight.
Wonder should I give Penny a touch of safeguard too.Will it hurt? Can't remember if I ever gave it to a 4 week old. She doesn't look very red eyed herself.
Any ideas, about either of them are welcome.
Replies
Whenever I've had a doe get very sick with parasites and her production dropped, it did rebound after she was treated. I haven't had it happen with one that was nursing a young kid, but I would think that Penny's constant nursing would really help Butter's supply to rebound even better than what I've seen when milking a doe that wound up with a bad case of parasites.
Everything you have said is right on target as to my opinion, except that the problem is she was almost dried up until today (it may be wishful thinking, but I think her udder looks a little better today although still pretty deflated looking).
I am seeing a big difference now in the way she acts and feel confident that she will pull through this. She is much more mobile today and I had my son help me test her out with Penny by taking her out of sight to see if she acted like she even cared. I really don't think she would have cared a few days ago when she was feeling her worse, but today every time Penny called she called back.
It would appear that she is on the mend and what I would love your opinions on at this point is, do you think that when the does are sick and almost dry up but start to improve, can the milk supply build back up or does Penny need a bottle?
You know Deborah, I guess I agree with you very strongly because I am one of those moms who would wind up a lot WORSE for worrying about my baby if it were me , so I understand. Even with some does who are not good moms it might be better but with really good ones I just know you are right and it would only stress them more. Butter is an excellent mom and loves Penny very much. I am just so happy I did not take her away from her mommy!
Oh, my goodness! Wish I could give you a real hug! You have had quite a time! Hopefully tomorrow will be quieter for you.
As for Butter ... I've been in a similar situation, and contemplated taking a kid away, but I realized it made zero sense after taking the kid away for about 12 hours. The only stress the kid is causing is the demand for milk, and even if you take the kid away, her body will still keep producing, and you'll have to milk her. However, she will be stressed because her kid is missing. In the end, I think you will wind up with a goat that is even more stressed than if you leave Penny with her. Plus if her udder isn't being emptied regularly, it makes it easier for her to get mastitis, especially in her weakened state.
And based on your current life, I think you'd be under less stress if you left Penny with Butter! :)
Good luck! Hope tomorrow is better for you!
Oh yea, I forgot I made 2 trips to the denture clinic. I actually broke a tooth off my denture eating those little pastel colored party mints! LOL! They are quiet soft, go figure!
Hey guys, I have a few minutes and wanted to check in on the site,to see how you all are. Have been doing daily vitamins, and serving butter what I call her "buffet" (Dishpan with little piles, side by side of loose minerals, baking soda, goat chow, noble goat and alfalfa pellets), 2 different hays, fresh brush cut daily, she is holding her on and we were told we should take Penny away and bottle-feed her with a supplement. I still have my doubts about the taking her away part and would rather leave her with Butter and bottle feed her. I have several reasons for thinking it would be best not to separate them, but was told to do this to relieve stress on Butter.
I have been home very little, for the last 6 days. Spent 4 days and 3 nights at my moms with very (very,very) little sleep and only coming home for a few minutes each day. Mom doesn't have internet and I have not taken the time to log on when at home. I have mostly been making sure Butter & Penny were ok and that the people kids had what they needed to get through the next day. I did sleep at home last night while my 18 yr. old, William, stayed with mom. My sister, "The Other Crazy Goat Lady" (and nurse), had today off, so she stayed at moms and worked on her book (oh yea, and author) to give me a break. I spent the whole day going to feed stores, TSC(2xs), Building supply store,grocery stores, pharmacies, dollar stores, party supply stores, bread store, I honestly cannot even remember it all! I have seen a person on the sidewalk with emergency responses people and vehicles surrounding them (no clue why) plus a wreak were a motorcycle was hit and a second wreak were a blond in a convertible sports car jerked her whole huge bumper off and when leaving the scene pushed it about 25 feet across the road and then ran over it and proceeded to haul butt!
Me being the goofball I am, (maybe the exhaustion has made me mad in the head) decided that since I could easily make a U turn where I was, I would just follow her. I did while my 14 yr old Amanda took pics of her, her car and tag. Little does she know I followed her for about 7 or 8 miles talking to the police the whole time. I finally lost her, but surely the police will find her. I even saw her almost run over a lady pushing a stroller with her two kids in it. As a matter of fact it was right by the house where another crazy goat lady (with a very popular website) lives and it looked like her. I am going to call her tomorrow and see if it was her. She also has 2 small kids.
If you are not tired yet, you better read that again, because you must have missed most of what it says! LOL! Yes, this was one of the craziest days I have ever experienced.
I am hanging in there! With Butter & Penny , Mom, My Family, and Appreciating All Your Support and Prayers, and You are in Mine! Thanks! Hope I can visit with you all again soon. By For Now!
Hugs to you and your mom and Butter. How is everyone doing today?
{{{ Margaret's Mom }}} {{{ Margaret }}}
About the same, I just wrote a nice long detailed update + prayer request for my 85 yr momma (fell yesterday and broke 5 ribs) Touched something wrong and it all disappeared. Don't have time to redo it right now. Later, thanks. open to any advice feeling a little better about her since she is not worse but not really better just lies around nibbling hay occasionally, started B vit shots right after midnight. Will check in on here in a little while. THANKS A BUNCH ALL!
How is she doing this morning? I am praying for you!
Can anyone tell me the dosage for ivermectin paste 1.86%? the apple stuff for horses! Thanks! Oh and if anyone knows what would actually be the proper dosage of Red Cell, that would be great to know!