The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Bluff on August 09, 2017, 06:29:08 pm
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We have an old boer X doe. Really gone downhill lately. Considering getting the vet to pts unfortunately. Just noticed she has many little flies on her. She is in with the weaned kids and they don't have these flies. Any ideas as to the reason for the flies. I am not sure if they are a symptom or the cause of her problems.
Thanks
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Someone on FB has suggested fly strike and I am just out to check.
If I find any what do I treat it with ( my medicine cupboard is not well stocked unfortunately)
Thank you
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I would have thought if it was strike you would have seen where the problem was on a goat, have you checked her over for wounds, maggots etc? Check out her feet as well, they can get strike between their feet.
I use spotinor on the goats, a pour on solution, but not suitable for milkers.
There is also a citronella based spray that keeps flies off.
Do you know what the flies are? Any chance of a photo?
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Checked her over. Nothing obvious. Put Sudacreme on anything that looks like it could be a problem. Have sprayed her with a plant based insect repellent. she didnt like that and went and hid. But the flies are keeping away now.
Vet will be called tomorrow to check her over.
Flies aren't bluebottles. Will try to get a photo.
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I have had occasionally a goat that will get pestered by flies, not the ones laying eggs and then cause flystrike, but little ones. Goats can go crazy over it.... /but not all are bothered). I think it may well be a personal body odour problem... other than spraying with something, I would also feed garlic (if they take it -mine with the problem would lick garlic granules off my hand) and I did not have a problem indoors so much, so she stayed in a bit more on bad days.
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Thank you. Will try anything and everything
Off out with the garlic now!
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She wouldn't lick the garlic granules but I put a bit on her lip
Attached a rubbish picture of the fly which kept flying off! Also a photo of her.
You can see how thin she is.
She is eating grass and a little hay but not taking pellets anymore. She is wormed and has had loads of copper.
What do you think?
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Actual flystrike would be relatively easy to spot in such a short-coated goat - damp patches and you would see maggots (and smell them). Do you have a goat coat to put onto her and spray that with fly repellant, it may just reduce the area the flies can get to?
But maybe it's time to let her go? She will just get more stressed....
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Unfortunately I tend to agree with you. We have been away for a week and the house sitter said she stopped eating pellets about 2 days ago. He has been drenching her with honey and water to keep her strength up. When we got home she ate some nettles but otherwise is feeling very sorry for herself. Vet will be consulted tomorrow but I fear there will be only option. Thank you for your replies
Donna
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B 12?
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Thanks for everyone's help. Vet came today and put her to sleep. Seems us was just her time to go. All vital signs were normal but her batteries had run out. Best thing in the end sadly.
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Poor girl, I suppose that's a good way of saying it, batteries run down, sometimes it's hard to be kind, it's like part of us having to give in.
Well done, take care :hug:
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Thanks [member=22672]penninehillbilly[/member]
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A decision we all have to make from time to time....sorry to hear she's gone. But vet pts was probably the kindest way, she won't have felt a thing.
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Thanks [member=3211]Anke[/member]. It was very calm I have to say. Just the same as when we had to have the dog put down ( been one of those years!)
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So hard but the most loving thing you could do for her. :hug: