Sunday, September 15, 2013

Our Little Kody

When he came to us on May 2nd, we had no idea that goat babies were so tiny. 


Here we are in the parking lot, with Michaele's daughters taking pictures, totally incredulous. 


And they loved their new little barn home, with it's warming light.  That step out the door was a BIG step for two five pounders. 


Grandson Chris nearly broke his back hauling boulders to make a climbing area for the two boys. 


And they grew and they grew


And along came Kelly, "brother" number three. 

Then we lost Kaycee, on August 17th, to bladder stones. 

Our dear little black, rambunctious boy. 

Friday, Kody was very quiet for him.  He is usually racketing around with Kelly, up and down the deck stairs from one doorway to another, and coming into the kitchen whenever I opened the door. 
I noticed when I lifted him out that he gave a little groan. 


This was Friday afternoon, when they followed me into the henyard for a minute while I got the hoses out.  I watched Kody and could see that he could not urinate. It struck fear into my heart. 


By noon on Saturday, our boy was like this.  Kelly never went more than 10 feet from him.  Keith and I watched for a while, then we started calling our vet.  We left message after message. 
We followed instructions to use the "pound 911" to page her after-hours. 
Then we began calling all the other large animal vets in our region, and one finally called us back and said, 
literally
"Throw him in your car and take him to K State's Vet Clinic, they are open 24/7". 

At 7 PM, our vet's "backup" on call doctor called to say that she was at her niece's wedding and would not respond.  She listened for a minute.  I asked her to please call me in the morning. 

Finally, we said a prayer and went to bed, expecting to find Kody gone when I got up, because Keith left for Maryland and training at 4 AM. 

He was alive and on his feet when I got out there... but his sides were distended.  He was able to walk very slowly, and I put him in the crate and we left for Manhattan.  Kelly was distraught, and running up and down the pen when we left. 

Kody is still at the Kansas State Vet Clinic, being tended tonight by two doctors. 
His prognosis is not good... the vet called me back at 5 to say that he was full of crystals.  (Bladder stones). 
They are unable to get part of him to extrude in order to try to snip it... but they WERE able to relieve him by aspiration with a needle.  
We cannot afford the operation that, in effect, makes him a female.  It is 2500.00 or more. 
I was impressed with the professionality of the clinic, and it's doctors. 

Tomorrow the doctor will call me in the morning and we will talk about decisions.  When I left him, after kissing and hugging him, I asked if I should take his crate... and she said yes, she thought so. 

Our poor little doll. 




25 comments:

  1. I think you told us what can cause this, but I don't remember. If it's not too painful, could you tell us again? I'll pray for you all, including the goat.

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  2. This makes me very sad. I so hope he is better in the morning but it doesn't sound good. Praying that the right decision for you guys will be made & that you'll feel at peace with it all. Thinking about you.

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  3. I am so sorry that you have to go through this again. I am just in tears. I am praying for you all.

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  4. Oh Mary Ann, your heart must just be shredded. I am so sorry.

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  5. So, so very sorry!! What a heart ache!! God Bless!

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  6. I'm so sorry, Mary Ann! I know from experience how terrifying this is for you! Last year, Jenna's one goat had the dreaded urinary calculi. Many hugs to you!!

    I don't have an email for you...and I'm sure the vets are giving you great advice...but if you contact me by email (from my profile page) I can give you some of the info that we have learned through that experience!

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  7. My heart aches for you. I know how hard it would be if we lost one of our boys. Sending you a hug.

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  8. So sorry for you all, I hope he makes it through.

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  9. Mary Ann,

    Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear about your baby. I'm praying he makes it through this ordeal.

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  10. So sorry Mary Ann. I never realized how much trouble these wethers have with this. My prayers are with all of of you.

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  11. I'm so sorry to hear this. Can I ask what you're feeding? Did you get the ammonium chloride? Had they been getting it? Goats are tricky, they really are. Such a learning curve.

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that little guy. And for his friend.

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  12. No! Oh, I am so sorry to hear this, Mary Ann.

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  13. Your little goat is so adorable and I know that he and the others are so very dear to you. I'm praying he gets better.

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  14. I am so sorry, what sweet babies and I know how sweet they are,
    I will pray for you all.

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  15. Oh no, I'm sorry. I'm very familiar with high vet bills. I hope he will be okay.

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  16. Those little boys received more love and care and happiness in their short and giving lives than most could ever hope for. Bless you and Keith. Bless you.

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  17. Oh Mary Ann I just turned on blogger for the first time since Friday....I am so so so sorry to hear about little Kody, it just makes us all so sad!!!! We are sending lots of prayers your way for Kody and you, and Keith. I just hate to hear about this!!!! What is causing this?
    Hugs a bunch.
    Stella Rose and family

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  18. i am so sorry to hear this. praying for a miracle here!

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  19. Oh my goodness we are so very sorry. We are hoping for a miracle.

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  20. oh, I'm so sorry you are dealing with this, and I hope they can keep the poor boy comfortable. Hoping for a miracle for your adorable Kody.

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  21. Oh, I'm so sorry, this breaks my heart for you, Mary Ann. Poor little Kody. The thought of him in such pain, and you worrying about him and loving him and Kelly missing him. Dear Mary Ann, I am so sorry. Our Jack Russell has had one surgery for bladder stones and months of antibiotic treatment and special dog food. Our vet said he would not recommend putting her through it all a second time if it happens again. I know how heartbreaking these decisions are, well, you do too. You've been through it before, more than once with one pet or another. It's so hard.

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  22. I am so sorry to hear about this. Despite what people think about how hardy goats are, they truly are fragile beings. I will be thinking of you and hoping for the best.

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