[cuckoo]

My goats love the calf rehydration sachets when they have an upset tummy - may help if you think she is dehydrated.

[suzanne@waterfall]

Thanks very much I'll try and get some in the morning.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Suzanne.

[suzanne@waterfall]

Well, Faith seems very down in herself this morning, this getting better is going much too slowly for her.
Martin keeps jumping all over her and she has produced even less milk today. She is not talking to him as much today either. I hope to try the calf rehydration sachets later if I can get them locally, or tonight if not.
Suzanne.

[suzanne@waterfall]

By the way thanks for the tip on Bananas! She loves them, skins and all!

[suzanne@waterfall]

Thanks Cuckoo, she liked the Rehydration Sachet, she has only taken about 300 or 400 mls but that is more than she has had for a while. I will continue to give it to her as she will take it. She is still eating well.
She stood for a couple of minutes twice today. Hopefully a better day tomorrow.

[suzanne@waterfall]

And about another 200ml this tonight!!:)

[Penninehillbilly]

Someone once suggested molasses in the warm water encouraged them to drink?

[suzanne@waterfall]

Thanks PennineHillbilly
 I'll try that too! 

[Tree Farmer]

Hi Suzanne,
I am new here and still not quite a goat keeper (next few days!) I just wanted to say I am so glad you posted because I have really enjoyed reading the thread start to finish - all the advice etc. I am off to Google the mineral supplement now. And gingernuts eh?! I am glad she is sort of picking up, even if it is taking time.
Charlotte

[countrywoman]

So sad to read your story here - at least Martin is thriving but what a terrible worry about Faith.

I am new to goats but have 40 years experience with horses/cows/sheep etc and the one thing I know is that any animal whose instinctive behaviour in the face of fear is flight (which covers all the above and goats) is in a serious condition if they stay down for any length of time.  Nature says if you can't run you are someone else's dinner - and these animals know it.  If she won't get up it is because she can't.  Added to that, being short of fluids is bad for every sort of creature, humans included.

If she will not drink enough your vet should be able to give some fluid by an IV drip - sometimes this will work wonders.  The injuries/stress from the donkey attack may not be her only problem - for instance, is she short of calcium?  She may have been going to need help anyway but because of the attack it is the first reason you think of for her collapse.  With sheep, being down and indifferent can be miraculously cured by a dose of calcium.  Ask your vet about Calciject. 

Hope she improves soon.

[suzanne@waterfall]

Thanks. She is at least taking some of therehydration fluid, I started her on the goat supplement today also, thanks to Brid! I will also ask the vet re the calciject. I'll try anything to help her recover. Her left back leg is very weak, but I am hopefull she will recover. I, we, will do our best to ensure she does.
Thanks so much for all the help and support. It means so much to me.
Suzanne.

[Brucklay]

Missed this somehow = sleep deprivation I think - hope she pulls through - I do think goats that have that special bond with their keeper can pull through sometimes - my wee FeeBee, c section lost both kids was very down but with lots of love is back to being a boys boots, keeping finger's crossed

[suzanne@waterfall]

Thank you. I have tried the dehydrating fluid and the goat supplement.
I will try our vet re calciject as I want to try anything that might help.
I do really appreciate all the help and advice, it really means so much that other
People care and support you.

[suzanne@waterfall]

Faith had a good day today, but this evening when we put her on her 'bad side' she looked dreadful. I was really worried about her, she was moving around on the floor, unable to get up and quite distressed, which she hasn't been.
We moved her again just now, she perked up immediately! Demanded food, got tucked up in her straw blanket, called her little one to her and settled down for the night. I am asking the vet for a review in the morning. She obviously wants to get up and is trying to get up, but so far has not been able to get up! Poor Faith!

[suzanne@waterfall]

  Poor Faith has an ear infection! Even her poor eye is closed with it.
She has seen the vet, had antibiotics and pain relief!
The vet also did an asessment of her condition.
He said she has some paralysis of the back leg!
He said we can try physio and TLC, but we have about a 10% chance of
getting weightbearing movement back in the leg!
I asked about the calciject which he has given her, she will have all the TLC she can handle.
All the apples, bananas and ginger nuts she wants.
I don't know if you are supposed to pray for goats, but I am praying for Faith!
Little Martin is totally oblivious

( :-[To add insult to injury Oisin (pronounced Oshsheen) one of my cats has a corneal ulcer and is feeling very sorry for himself too )