So this morning he was quieter than usual, not really interested in me while dishing out breakfast, but up and about with the others, this was around 10ish - bit later than usual. I noticed he had a mucky bum but others have had the odd little bit of scouring in the past with no further problems. He had access to water and hay, so I decided to let him be and check on him later.
Well I ended up being really busy in the house decorating, the afternoon disappeared on me and by the time I went to check on him at tea time he was dead, stone cold and RM set in. His tail was quite wet looking with a bit of yellow mucous underneath, what could that be? How can this happen in such a short space of time?
I'm in shock, I couldn't even write this til now and the only reason I am is that I'm really worried about the others if it's some sort of infection...cocci or listeria has come up on my forum search. They are all OK, no signs of anything untoward, all eating their tea and generally getting under my feet as they do. What should I be looking out for as in early signs, and at what stage do you call the vet?
I certainly didn't think he was at that stage today and if something was so bad it could kill in a day what could a vet have done?
He was 100% fine yesterday, being a bit of an arse actually as the hormones were starting to kick in again, he sometimes challenged me when I went into their yard -although he didn't do that this morning he didn't look bad, or else I'd have been more concerned, and the books I have just said to give 24 hours of no concentrate for scours, if it doesn't improve to call the vet.
They all got out of their yard yesterday, could he have eaten something? If so why would he be the only one ill? I can't see that he's got into any food he shouldn't have, I caught him and another adult reaching for branches of the hedge but they all ate their goat mix that evening. He didn't look bloated or in any discomfort when he moved. But I should have taken more notice of him being a bit out of sorts, I know goats don't do being ill very well.
Sorry for the rambling...Absolutely gutted, he fathered a beautiful couple of kids this year, and I was just thinking about separating him out so I could go for a later kidding next year, now what do I do?