November 2009 Archives

http://www.thedonovan.com/swwbo/2009/11/omfg-what-idiots-there-are-on.html

We have two goats who are feeling less than stellar today. Maggie and her mother, Morgan Le Fey, both have scours (aka diarrhea) In goats, that can be fatal if you don't nip it in the bud asap.

I suspect they have coccidiousis. Coccidia is a parasite that is always present in goats, but if for some reason, their immuity is down, it can affect their guts and cause diarrhea.

So, I have quarantined them both in their own stall. They are both getting electrolytes, B vitamins and a sulfa type of drug. They have their own minerals and hay and water. This way, I can get a much better idea of how much they are consuming than with the rest of the herd.

If they are not better by Monday morning, I'll get some fecal samples and run them down to my veterinarian. But, many goatherds tell me that I should be able to treat this myself.

It is also possible that we could have a worm problem, but they don't appear to look anemic to me.

So, I'm saying a prayer and doing all the medical stuff I have been told to do.

I'll update tomorrow on their progress.