I have a group of baby goats between 3-6 weeks old. I noticed the other day as set of twins (one girl/one boy) kinda had their backs hunched. They were still nursing when mom let them, eating hay, and some grain. Within the last two days I have lost both of them. No diarrhea or any other symptoms I could identify. Moms are eating grass hay with grain once a day. I have no idea what it could be. The girl died yesterday evening. When I checked on her in the afternoon I never would have thought she was going to be dead. Could it be worms? Moms were all vaccinated and worked about a month prior to giving birth. I also thought cidossis but they have no diarrhea and are eating fine.
I am so sorry. I am not sure if it could be worms. But if something went wrong with the vaccines, It could of cased a birth defect. If you still have the bodies you should get them checked out by a vet.
Thanks Gary.......I thought that to be true also. I found another one this morning with same signs and when I just went out to check on everyone again he also was dead. I am at a lose. His sister also doesnt look good along with a few others. I fear soon I won't have any babies left. Yesterday I gave them all BoSe and Vitamin E orally with hopes this would help. I just don't get it. They all walk around and eat hay with a lot of energy and then boom they are dead. No diarrhea, no lack of appetite, no other sign other than than haunched back and tail. Literally I brought the most recent ones sister inside tonight for fear she is next and she is running around my house, crying, and climbing on couches. Doesn't seem very sick but u fear she will be dead by morning. Sorry I am desperate for help at this point.
Post by garysfarmer on Dec 11, 2011 19:19:51 GMT -5
Sorry so late in getting back with you. We've had 8 born in about 30 hours, also I had to work overtime, along with a family get together christmas.
I'm at a loss. I don't think it's coccidiosis, don't really know. Could it be blackleg? aka animal anthrax. I'm not sure about how it gets around but it's in the soil. Most folks associate it with cows but it gets goats as well.
Check around their area for dirty water, poisenous plants, or anything they may could have ate. Make sure your feed doesn't have any moldy mildewish stuff on it. Try to think of any new thing that's happened to them i.e, new feed, ect. This sounds like some sort of diease.
Did this start after you either bought more feed, different feed, or something to that effect. I"d have a vet look at one of the dead ones and see what they come up with.
Post by garysfarmer on Dec 11, 2011 19:34:20 GMT -5
Here's a little info on black leg;
What causes the disease? Blackleg is caused in most cases by the bacterium, Clostridium chauvoei. Clostridium septicum or Clostridium novyi are less common causes.
How does the animal become infected? Like all clostridial bacteria, Cl. chauvoei survives in the environment as a durable spore. The spores can survive in soil for many years. They are ingested from pasture by the animal, enter the bloodstream and lodge in muscle. They can remain dormant without causing ill-effect. In cattle, the disease is thought to be caused by excessive bruising or excessive exercise. This causes the spores to germinate, multiply and cause the disease. Blackleg in sheep is frequently associated with wounding as a result of shearing, tail docking, castration, injury to ewes at lambing or infection of the navel soon after birth.
What does the organism do? Growth of the bacteria causes acute, localised inflammation of muscle tissue. Affected muscles, often in the leg, are blackish-red in colour, hence the disease is called ‘blackleg’. Growth of the organism leads to generalised toxaemia or poisoning and rapid death.
What are the clinical signs of blackleg? There is a sudden onset of fever, depression and a loss of appetite. If the affected muscles are in the leg, the animal will become lame. The leg may be swollen, hot, and painful in the affected area. Limb muscles are the most common site of infection although muscles anywhere in the body, such as the tongue, can also be involved. A crackling sensation may be noted when the skin over the affected area is pressed; this is due to gas formation in the tissue.
Which animals are most likely to get blackleg? Young cattle between 6 and 18 months old in good condition are most commonly affected. However, younger calves and, occasionally, older cattle can also become infected. Sheep of any age can be affected.
Will the animals recover? Very few affected animals survive. Death usually occurs within 48 hours of symptoms being noted. Animals are often found dead.
How do we diagnose blackleg? Lameness, depression, loss of appetite and a hot, painful swelling on a limb which crackles when pressed may indicate blackleg. Later, the skin over the swelling will become cold, dry and leathery. In areas where blackleg is a known problem it should be suspected in cases of sudden death. Post-mortem examination usually reveals, somewhere in the body, an area of dark red, dry-looking muscle containing small bubbles of gas. The diagnosis should be confirmed by a veterinarian, preferably by laboratory examination of tissues from affected animals.
Is there an effective treatment? In some cases large doses of certain antibiotics can result in a cure. Veterinary attention in the early stages can therefore be considered. Treatment is, however, generally unsuccessful.
Post by garysfarmer on Dec 12, 2011 19:45:23 GMT -5
On May 6 2010, I posted a thread named some thing like healthy normal acting goats dead withing 48 hours. There were some interesting posts on that. Mainly concerning fungus/mildew/mold type issues. Some fungus' are pretty toxic and pretty quick. Also they can grow in some of the most incorrect places showing up as dry powdery, wet, damp, ect.
This could also be the septic form of Collibacillosis. If that's what it is there's nothing to be done except try to reduce stress and pray. This is the main culptit in a true sudden death senerio that affects many goat kids usually between the ages of 2 to 6 weeks of age.
oberhaslis, recorded grades, and working pack goats make their home at skeeter swamp.