Friday, February 28, 2014

Goats in Totes, Kids in Coats & a Stint in Splints

Nettie's two bucklings at one day old.
Annette's two doelings at three days old.
And then, there's Pickles' buckling.  He had some sort of double-jointed thing going on with his back hocks.  Looked it up and found that it isn't that unusual, some say it's a selenium deficiency (even though we supplement it), other say it's just a "thing".   I tend to think it's because Pickles was a week early.  When I first realized the problem, I though it was going to be a culling situation but then did some internet searching and saw several say that they have splinted them or just let them work it out and in about a week they got better.  I couldn't sit there and watch him struggle so much so I asked Paul make him splints for his back legs.

They worked for a little while; until he pee'd on them and the cardboard got smooshy & no longer supported the bend in the leg.  So then I brought him inside (greeeaaaat, another goat in the house) and did some physical therapy with him.  Which he did not appreciate in the least.  Ingrate.  So I kept the splints off and he did seem to be able to gimp around.  But I still take him to Pickles and hold him up so he can nurse.  I think we're going to try and do the splint again, but this time use some sort of plastic brace.

It was a nice, sunny day yesterday and Nettie was out enjoying the warmth.

Today is much cooler, but she's still out and about.  She's also playing "Auntie Nettie" to Annette's two doelings.  At one point I though we were going to have to intervene as Nettie was claiming the kids as her own and was actually head butting Annette away.  But the kids made their way back to Annette to nurse.....then went back to Nettie to climb on her.

I put out some fresh hay this morning and Nettie dug right in!

It was good to see her appetite coming back.  She had been picking at grain & eating apples, prunes & raisins, but it wasn't until today that I saw her actually excited about a fresh pile of hay.  Nettie still has a long recovery ahead of her, but I'm sooooo happy that she's on the mend.  Thanks for all your cyber well wishes and thoughts for her!

11 comments:

  1. Oh good! Poor girls rib are showing. I'm happy everyone seems ok :) Get some rest when you can!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a heap of animals! How is Nettie's udder? Have you had to continue "milking" it out? Any more blood coming out? I think she's going to make it and it's all due to your vet skills and loving care.

    ReplyDelete
  3. If you have any of the thick rigid tubing used to insulate hot water pipes, you can cut it fit, slit it up the side, & use it as a splint with the leg of the kid inside. Wrap vet wrap around the outside, & it is even pee proof.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Little Homestead in Boise, Nettie always has always that "Jersey" look to her right after kidding and during milking. She puts sooo much into milk I just can't keep weight on her :( She gets a goat feed grain (as much as she can eat), BOSS as well as all the minerals I can think of & a protein tub. That's one of the reasons I was going to retire her, she just can't keep weight on with kids or when milking. I've read that you can put Calf Mana & Canola Oil in the feed so I'm going to start that tomorrow. She's also the one with the lowest worm load. I just don't get it.

    Mama Pea, her udder still looks bad, but it's not cracking or oozing. I haven't milked her since a few days after the incident and don't think I will; she seems to be drying up after it and I don't want to milk her if it's going to encourage any milk production. I'll check the bad side tomrorrow and if there's still blood in it, I may ask the vet what I should do.

    Marivene, that's a good idea! But don't have any here :( Going to the feed store tomorrow for Calf Manna so maybe I'll stop at the hardware store for it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, that is good news. Look at all those babies! So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So cute! Nettie is by far the cutest, her smile is the best! Glad she is up and around :) Are you ready for this craptastic weather we are about to get :/ I have baby chicks due to hatch tomorrow OUTSIDE. I might bring the broody and the eggs in the house until Tuesday. That should be fun. NOT!

    ReplyDelete
  7. We've had the double joined floppy legs with kids before. I have never splinted all within 3 days tops but usually less work it out them selves and walk normally.

    ReplyDelete
  8. How freaking cute!!!! Maybe I do need some goats..... until the next yucky thing happens to one of yours of course! *sigh*

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm glad they're all OK :) That basket is too danged cute!

    ReplyDelete
  10. We have had the double jointed thing a few times. I found a vitamin pump that has selenium in it. I squirt a little in their mouths and in one day, they are fine. One actually got better in an hour! It sure beats the splints.

    ReplyDelete