Friday, August 16, 2013

At Last a Post

Friends, 

I was not going to post today.  I laid down at 9:30 this morning for a minute, and the next thing I knew, it was 12:44! 

I am not recovered yet, and it has been two weeks of fighting this infection. 

But, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm looking forward to it. 

On Wednesday afternoon, while Keith was napping - he had taken vacation days for Tuesday and Wednesday, thank heavens, before I became so ill... I snuck outside to see how things were going. 
Two little goats came running to me... Kody and Kelly.  I called Kaycee, but did not see or hear him.  

After tidying up the goatyard, I began to be alarmed.  I went into the big henhouse, no Kaycee.  
Finally, I found him behind the little red henhouse... wobbling and straining.  I became alarmed and went in to awaken Keith. 
Keith watched him and believed at first he was straining to defecate.... but no, we realized he could not urinate. 

Urinary crystals are a real problem with wethers and bucks, but more so, with wethers. 

I immediately called a vet in Tongie who treats goats.... but we do not have a relationship with him.  At 5:12, I was informed he was gone for the day, but I could have an appointment for 8:30 in the morning.  I told the girl I did not think the goat would make it that long, but made the appointment anyway. 

Then I called our vet who lives ten miles away, and prayed she would be in the office. This was the vet who wethered them, and who sees mainly equines, but also camelids and goats.  

She was there, doing some spays on some rescue kittens.  Her office staff was also there, to assist her. 
I managed to drive over there at a decent rate of speed with the sick little boy in a crate.  He had screamed in pain when Keith lifted him up... and for those of you who have never heard a goat scream.. it's awful. 

I have no pictures of all this. 

We arrived there and waited for the spays to be finished, then had blood drawn, xrays taken, and down came the goat textbooks and assessing. 

The operation to resect all of the interior male organs is only 50% successful. 

Finally, a decision was made to attempt to open him up on the end, and try to express the urine.  There was a mucous cap that had formed.  

He was sedated, and they were able to empty five vials of urine, plus he promptly wet their mats immediately upon standing.  

I can't tell you how relieved I was. 

And exhausted! 

Donna at Our Forest Haven was kind enough to suggest to me to use Jump Start... a vitamin/mineral paste to help get him back to normal, and I have started it's seven day course. 
We are adding ammonium chloride to their diet, to prevent crystals, as they are all wethers and prone to them. 

And most importanly, we are changing the way we feed and stopping all access to the chicken yards.  
They will not be able to play on their beloved chicken house and hutch... and lay in the sun high up.  
But they will be more healthy, and that's what matters. 


This is a short video I took last night while the boys helped do chores.... 

Thank heavens our little boy Kaycee could come to me when I called him! 

I will get around to everyone's blogs this weekend, I hope... and be back to normal soon. 
Right now, I think I'm going to have to lay down again for a bit. 
My primary care PA is on furlough today, so I am hoping to make it through the weekend without having to bother a doctor at the ER, but the fatigue IS worrying me.  

Thank you all for your kind comments and wishes, and your prayers, most importantly, your prayers.  
I appreciate each and every one! 



23 comments:

  1. no wonder you are so tired! i am so glad kaycee is ok. i hope he continues to improve! you too!!!

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  2. Ugh, sorry to hear you are still feeling under the weather. and I have not heard of that goat trouble before, glad you were able to "clear it up".

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  3. Glad your goat is better. I'll pray that you soon are, too!

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  4. I hope you feel better soon. I am so glad your little boy is ok. This is a real problem with wethers. They don't need much grain or high protein hay. I hope this is the last of your problems with the boys. I know how much you love them. Goats have a way of getting inside your heart very quickly. Saying a prayer for healing for you.

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  5. So glad you were able to intervene in time for Kaycee! As you know, we lost my best ram last winter when we didn't get him opened up in time. I don't feed any grain at all, but it can still happen. Hope you're 100% back on your feet soon!

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  6. we are so happy that little kaycee is doing better. they just break our hearts when they are sick and unwell, now as far as you please rest, take naps, enjoy some time alone so you can become much better also. I miss seeing you around here as much. You have my number if you want to gab awhile.
    stella rose's momma

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  7. Mary Ann,

    Sweetie, go take care of yourself that is the priority right now. Don't worry about us, we will be here waiting when you return. Get some rest, sending prayers and hugs your way.

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  8. That video totally made my day - huge progress and a happy face! Now you rest, and get better. Your critters and all of us, need you healthy again and not suffering. I hope the baby just keeps getting better and better, it looks like he absolutely will! Big hugs!

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  9. That was scary! Hope you continue to heal...quickly.

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  10. Oh my goodness, that poor little fellow! Glad he is going to be OK now.

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  11. My goodness Mary Ann - I am so happy to hear all seems to be ok now. I've heard this is quite a problem in goats. Prayers and hugs to you and Kaycee.

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  12. Glad you were up to a post to let us know you were a little better. You need to show the hubby how to post updates for us...napping...resting...breathing...anything to let us know you are OK. Glad your baby is well also...maybe you would have better luck seeing a vet yourself. Sometimes I think they care more about their patients than human doctors...and most make house calls! =o)

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  13. I hope you feel much better real soon! You've really had a time of it! Sorry to hear about Kaycee's problems, but hopefully that is all behind him now.

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  14. Mary Ann--

    http://www.jollygerman.com/livestock/# is who I use for minerals for the goats. Hoegger may also have it. One tsp per head per day in the feed--they will not notice it. It keeps the urine acidic and that way this will not happen again. Fun, right? Goats have a steep learning curve!

    Ok, all that said, I am sorry you've been so sick, but am glad you feel a bit better. I truly hope the fatigue goes away soon. I am glad Kaycee is better as well. Sending good thoughts your way!

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  15. I had a cat once that had those crystals and had to be on a special diet food that we got at the vet because of it. Hope you get to feeling better soon. Rest lots and get better.

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  16. Oh my goodness you poor thing you are really having some bad luck! So glad that little Kaycee is on the mend and that you are recovering too. Stay well and strong, we send you neighbrays from across the pond :-)

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  17. Feel better soon Mary Ann. Sending positive vibes your way

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  18. Oh. Oh. Nothing worse. I don't know anything about goats, except their anatomy is pretty similar to sheep I think. Anyway, I added a white salt block to the sheep minerals to encourage drinking with my boys and that seems to help. Again, not sure about goats, but wanted to throw that out to you. Keeping fingers crossed!

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  19. Hope you continue to improve. Wethers are tricky with their specific diet needs. Goats, despite their reputations, are quite fragile creatures.

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  20. Oh my gosh, I had no idea you were going through all this. One our kitties has the same issue. With the proper medication he is doing fine and has been for years now, I'm sending positive thoughts your direction. All our best to you and all the furry babies, hang in there!

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  21. Goodness gracious, Mary Ann. I've been away working on projects and just came back to find out you've been really sick. Best wishes for a very speedy recovery for both you and Kaycee!

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  22. I'm so glad you got him immediate treatment.

    We have to feed several of our cats special diet to prevent UTI's.

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  23. Mary Ann, I am so sorry I didn't know about this as I went about 9 days without reading blogs. I am so sorry that you've been so sick and then that little Kaycee had to go through what he did. I'm sure it has been so difficult to feel horrible and then have so many little ones waiting for your attention too. I just read today's post too but won't comment there. Just please take care of yourself.

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