Hi,

One of my goats lost her voice two weeks ago. When she tries to baaa she makes a hoarse sound without a real voice. I know my youngest goat is ok, but I have two others that aren't making much noise either. What could be the problem? She has a good appetite and no fever. She is a Nubian and has been milking for six months, seems to be in good health otherwise. What can I do for her? Would appreciate any help I can get. Cathy

-- Cathy Lowry (jclowry@peoplepc.com), October 11, 2000

Answers

Cathy, do you tie your goats out to eat? I did this with a goat one time that I couldn't let out in the pasture she was so wild. Silly thing was afraid of her own shadow(was like that when I got her). The meter reader came in the yard and scarred her so bad she lunged full force against her tether. After that she was very hoarse. She died a few weeks later. I think she damaged her air pipe and was so scarred she went into shock. How is their appetite? Mine stopped eating after this. Hope this is not your problem. Amanda

-- Amanda Seley (aseley@townsqr.com), October 11, 2000.

Our Nubian bucks have very little voice, something that comes with the bloodline. Our girls on the other hand have no problem "voicing their opinions". I would just watch them, see if they are grazing something odd that could cause temporary tonsilitis and perhaps take a temp every other day for awhile and listen to breathing, this in pnemonia weather! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), October 12, 2000.

Could she have been in heat before she lost her voice? Some does will holler the entire time they're in heat. I have had does lose their voices for a day or two for no apparent reason, they seem to recover on their own.

-- Rebekah (daaniel1@itss.net), October 12, 2000.

I think Rebeka probably has the right answer. I babysat a Nubian doe for some people a couple of months ago for the weekend, and after screaming her head off from Friday night until Sunday afternoon, it was finally silent. Then went to check on her, and her mouth was still moving, just no sound. Her owners assurred me her voice was back by the next weekend. And it is breeding season.Even my LaManchas, who hardly ever make any noise other than that soft little goat nicker when they see me, can get pretty darn talkative when they're in heat.

-- Kathie (twinrosefarm@worldnet.at.net), October 15, 2000.

I had one lose her voice after being tethered too. This was a month ago, and she still has no voice, but she is ok. She kind of moped around a few days and kept me worried, but she got over it. What happened was that she got scared and pulled too hard..could have been the meter reader!!! But we were lucky that she did not pull too hard. So sad to lose one that way. :-(

-- Cindy in OK (cynthiacluck@yahoo.com), October 16, 2000.