[Hatty]

Juno the Little one seams off colour today, she is only picking at her food and looks like she is all fluffed up?
Not her usual bouncing self
Eating a little bit of willow and chopped up carrot but not much else,
 

[Roxy]

The weather has changed very suddenly - from red hot, to cold and raining hard.  Poor animals will not understand the dramatic change in temperature, and it can cause them to get a chill.

Is Juno's nose running, are her poo's ok? Is she coughing?  They do get colds like us, and are miserable for a few days,  Don't want to alarm you, but watch her carefully (I know you will!]  they can get pneumonia.

Have you wormed your girls? I can let you have some out of my big bottle, to save you buying.   


Other thing that springs to mind, is has Juno eaten somethiing that does not agree with her- or too much of something maybe?

Hope she feels better tomorrow.

You know you can ring me if you are worried.
s

[Hatty]

Thanks Roxy I think she maybe she could have cold her nose was a bit runny, I do worry!

Put them to bed with some willow and will be there nice and early in the morning

Need to make some plans to get over to see you!!

[wytsend]

Goats don't get a 'cold' in the sense that we know !!     This is something else that may require antibiotic..... she should have had her booster of Heptavac P by now,  this could be a contributory factor if this hasn't been done.  Recommended is every 6 mts for goats.

[Anke]

I do not want to start  a huge discussion again, but the advice from the Goats Veterinary Association is to not use Heptavac P+ on goats - their immune systems are not very good at handling this large number of vaccines in one shot. Lambivac is recommended, and if there is a herd problem with pasteurella, than a separate pasteurella vaccine should be applied in between the two Lambivac initial doses.

I know there are lot of people swearing that ONLY Heptavac will give their goats the full protection, but there is not enough statistical evidence to point to either of the two being better than the other. However a lot of "anecdotal evidence from individual goat keepers" will be available one way or the other... I am with my vet and the GVA on this one, and use Lambivac on the goats and Heptavac on the sheep/lambs. So far no problems.

Also goats do have off-days just like humans, a little ivy/willow, bananas, toast (maybe with some Marmite if you can stand the smell of it) will often do wonders - but make sure their droppings are not loose (worms or overeating/eating something not agreeable to them for example), they are not shivering and check her temperature. Some warm water with treacle or honey in it is also welcome and may keep her hydrated if she is not keen to drink. If she is not better by Monday I would  pop her into a trailer and take her to the vets to make sure. If nothing obvious he will give her a shot of antibiotics and maybe an anti-inflammatory, possibly some painkillers if he thinks she is in pain. Goats need lots of TLC to get over any kind of disease - imagined or real....

[wytsend]

The advice re vaccines will rage on, I have used Heptovac P for at least 30 years.... I also think the efficacy will vary from area to area.
Juno had been vaccinated with Hep.P before she left me and therefore was up to speed but the first year I believe it is important for continuity to keep to the same vaccine & then possibly change.

[Hatty]

Thank You everyone for the advice,

 Yesterday she was much better, still a little fluffed up like she has a chill, but eating much better and much more interested in things.

I am just on my way there now and will watch her closely again today, have pinched OH's marmite and have done a couple of slices of toast, he thought it was his breakfast  have the treacle in my bag too! didn't realize goats liked bananas will call at Asda and get them some 

I am going to speak to the vet re vaccination and worming in the morning 

[Lesley Silvester]

Goats LOVE bananas and don't peel them.  I am training everyone I know to save all their banana skins 'cos they'll eat these too.