This post was originally published in May 2010 as a “Page” and was probably missed by my readers. In any case, with the new year coming upon us, I figured I’d re-post since I continue to get inquiries… mostly via my site but some through personal emails & others from people calling me.. sometimes in a state of panic! I’d like to add that so far I’ve made a donation to our local animal shelter for a grand total of …… $10.00 ! This post is not a fund raiser or a means to get rich (huh?). I just like to help the abandoned dogs & cats in my community.
It seems that in the last few months I have responded to queries to so many people! Some questions were quite simple and others needed a little more research on my part. In any case, I’ve responded to each one. For some, the answers were posted following the comment on my website & others I replied to personally.
My phone number is readily available so I’ve had many folks call me.. some from as far as California! I’m always ready to help with the knowledge that I have & if I don’t have the answer right then and there, I go online or through my books and find the answer!
Sometimes I can’t answer immediately (I do have a life), but I always get back to my callers/readers.
Funny thing happened yesterday… I was in a JC Penny dressing room & someone called. It wasn’t an emergency & so I kindly explained to the fellow where I was & if I could return his call on the number appearing on the caller ID. This man was upset because I wouldn’t take a moment to help him IMMEDIATELY!… geez buddy, I’m half naked in a dressing room – I’m not about to start talking about goat udders!
In any case, if I was able to help you out in any way and you want to show how much you appreciated that, just hit the yellow donation button and any amount you send will be donated by me to our local animal shelter here in Rhea County. I won’t keep a dime!
When I started my small farm, I would have loved to have this kind of service! My friends, all I offer you is my personal experience. I’ve had all sorts of animals.. from raising white mice to owning a camel! If there’s any information I can share with you I will. And if I don’t have a clue, I’ll tell you that also but not before I’ve spent some time online doing research for you.
Every question will receive an answer. Email is the best way to reach me but if it’s urgent, my cell phone comes on at 8 am & is turned off at 7 pm & I answer every call.. even when I’m half naked in a dressing room! I’m on Verizon at (423) 413-4088 & I can get text or pic messages.
So, if I’ve helped you in any way, be generous! The money’s not for me, it goes towards helping animals in need. Every little bit counts, so if all you have to spare is $5.00 – that’ll work! I don’t know what it costs in your area but a farm visit here from my vet is $85… & that’s before he even looks at the animal!
On behalf of the stray & abused dogs & cats of Rhea County, thank you!
Hi, my doe is about to kid withing the next 3 days tops, she has a v-prolapse, but it pulls back by itself when she gets up…the vet said I should not be to worried as this does not mean that she’ll have trouble givig birth on her own – is this true?
I don’t have experience with does having a prolapse but apparently they recover quite well. Your vet is probably right… don’t worry about a thing! 🙂
Hi!! I love your site by the way!
I have a question. I got a few nannies as a gift and one had her first twins right before Christmas. Since then, both have died! :C
Their symptoms consisted of: Very stiff neck, flopping around, unable to eat or drink, unable to open their mouth other than to cry out. They would act like they were trying to get up, but I couldn’t tell if they were trying to get up, or having a seizure. They would eventually become very stiff, never blinking their eyes and then die. I am very upset since these were my first two babies.
Can you help? Thank you so much if you can!!
Aw, that’s so sad! Sounds to me like Floppy Kid Syndrome. I’ve attached a link but if you do a google search, you’ll find more info on the subject. It’s too late now but if (& I hope this never happens to you again), it should happen again, you’d have a better idea of what you’re dealing with & how to treat it. Just know that this upsets you much more than it does to the goat mommy… you can breed her again! Good luck & keep me posted!
Christine my kids are being born with no hair and enlarged thyroid glands and the others are being born looking like little monkeys and low birth weight. last year everything went good!! whats wrong
Lisa, here’s what I found…
IODINE DEFICIENCY
Iodine deficiency in goats is a disease of the thyroid gland. Under the chin behind the larynx on the front of neck, the thyroid gland enlarges to form a goiter when the goat is deficient in iodine. A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland.
Goiters are not “bottlejaw,” which is anemia that is almost always caused by a heavy wormload and occurs directly under the chin. Goiters are not Caseous Lymphadenitis abscesses; CL abscesses occur at lymph glands and when located in the neck area will be under an ear, downward towards the chest, or along the jaw line.
Goiters are often nutritionally related. Much of the northern part of the USA has soils that are iodine deficient. Plants of the Brassicas family interfere with iodine uptake by the thyroid gland. This includes plants in the mustard family such as cabbage, broccoli, and turnips. Supplemental iodine will not help correct iodine deficiency in goats eating these plants. The producer must eliminate them from the goat’s’ diet.
The tendency to produce goiters can be inherited. Some Swiss breeds that have been linebred tend to carry abnormalities in thyroid function.
The Boer goat is a breed that is more susceptible to iodine deficiency that results in goiters. Goiters can exist in newborn kids and have been reported by Boer breeders in the USA in recent years. Thyroid deficiency can cause stillbirths or kids can be born weak and hairless or with very fine haircoats. These kids are sluggish and grow poorly. They may or may not develop skin lesions. Cobalt deficiency and its accompanying Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause goiters.
Treatment for iodine deficiency that isn’t caused by plants that prevent iodine uptake is to add iodized salt to the goat’s diet. Many prepared goat feeds use non-iodized mixing salt because the particles are small and have better mixing qualities. The amount of organic iodine (EDDI) put into prepared feeds is controlled by the U. S. Food & Drug Administration. Severe iodine deficiency can be treated more quickly by painting 7% iodine on a hairless part of the goat’s body such as the tailweb. Free-choice feeding of kelp — dried seaweed — is probably the best method available. Kelp isn’t always easy to find and is expensive but consumption per goat is small so overall cost should not be a major concern. A 50-pound bag of kelp lasts a long time and can be mixed with loose goat minerals to encourage consumption. Feed stores can special order kelp.
Hope this helps!