I have a friend who has two nubian does. One of them aborted twins on sunday-she was about 5 weeks from being due. My friend said that she wa huge-and could hardly move. She couldn't picture her getting bigger!

On sunday when she aborted-she said that in the back of her mind there was somethng wrong-but she ignored that feeling. Does it sound like Ketosis? that is what they are thinking. And what should they be doing with the doe? (treatment)

Also can they milk her? Or is it possible to rebreed her if she comes into heat? And how soon? (Assuming she is back into good health.)

thanks, Sarah

-- Sarah (heartsongacres@juno.com), January 09, 2001

Answers

From my reference material it sounds like a classic case of Ketosis. It seems to be mostly associated with an imbalance in the carbohydrate metabolism, due to improper feeding at various stages of the pregnancy.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), January 09, 2001.

Classic case of hind site maybe, but how can we get Ketosis from an abortion and also a feeling? A goat in true Ketosis, usually has to be aborted chemically to save her, I do not know of a single case in which she aborted herself.

Here is an excellent site for you to show them:

http://hometown.aol.com/goatlist/hypocal.htm

Just a thought, I am on Goatworld.com 911 site, and we have been hearing some tuff lessons on Cydectin. 2 confirmed abortions because of giving Cyedectin in the last 2 or 3 weeks of pregnancy, and also some very young kids (to young to even have been wormed in my book) having severe neurological problems after being given Cydectin. Two of the three have died. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 09, 2001.

Vicki, I'm glad you told me not to give Cydectin after the goats were bred. You know, the vet never said anything about it. But I have not given them any. Thank you Vicki, for all your help, we really wouldn't know much on our own without all this help on new meds. I just love the internet. It's paid for itself many times over in just a year.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), January 09, 2001.

Thanks Cindy, 2 abortions doesn't quite mean never use it on a pregnant doe, though I would certainly use some caution on does who are due to kid! And unless you have worms I wouldn't be using anything on kids under a month old! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 09, 2001.

I have also heard that Cydectin given in late pregnancy can cause problems.I have heard the same thing about Ivermectin.I havn't had a problem with Ivermec myself. At any rate,all that rambling to say this.For does in late pregnancy I use only Fenbendazol (Safeguard).I do not use this at any other time so no immunity is developed.I feel it's better to be safe than sorry. I can't think of any reason not to use the milk if everything else is normal.

-- JT (gone2seed@hotmail.com), January 09, 2001.

THERE ARE SOME REALLY GOOD [WORMER] HERBS OUT THERE!!

-- al-d. (dogs@zianet.com), January 09, 2001.

I had to use cydectin on one ewe and triple amount because I would have lost her to parasites. All my sheep are immune to ivomectin and safeguard (panacure) it is like expensive water only to them. That ewe is due in five weeks, hope all will be okay because she gives twins each year. The other ewes I had wormed, including her since with tramisol, now I heard that causes birth defects. I talked to professors at OSU, Pipestone Vet Supply and many vets which all say it is safe. I guess the test will tell in Feb - April, my lambing period. As far as Preg Diseases go, I just went through it with one ewe, you see my sheep were quite stress with the lack of ultilities for 13 days. Their wather supply changed from good water to creek water (so choice), they normally sleep with a light on in the shed. One night I ran out their with my candle and one ewe was upside down in a large feeding bucket screaming her head off. It was a mess. Anyway, I am pretty sure I have save her and her babies, she went off of feed. I dosed her with polygene glycel (sp), Nutra Drench, warm water with molasses, gave her an LA200, B-12, yesterday she acted completely normal, her temp went back down and I will go though the process one more day to make sure. You should treat with the propylene glycol immediatly on any feelings with preg. disease, it can't hurt. I got my infor from Laura Lawson's book and Pipestone Vet Clinic. I am told when a sheep aborts (I am assuming goats too) it is something else going on. Last year I had an ewe (still do) heavy with triplets, she aborted 2 of the 3, the litle one that came out first is doing wonderful and is pregnant. I was told to have the fetus (sp) looked at but didn't want to pay the price. Not much money in sheep to begin with!

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), January 11, 2001.

My first thought about the aborting is clamidia (sp??). It is the biggest cause of abortion among goat herds in michigan.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), January 11, 2001.

tells us more about clamdyia.. Thanks, I have heard that is a problem with sheep too and would like to know the syptoms. Debbie

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), January 11, 2001.