My 4 month old goat was very sick with diariha she was given a shot of penicilin and seemed better the next day, but when given another shot she had a reaction and began having what looked like fits. We took her to the vet and he gave her a number of shots tetnes, vit b1, and an antibiotic he mentioned she might have polio which may leave her crippled or blind , well she's a bit better and is able to stand and walk but I don't think she can see. Her mother died a few weeks ago and we're having a hard time getting her to eat and drink she won't nurse off our other nanny any suggestions.

-- maureen belanger (mousey_mo@hotmail.com), June 12, 2001

Answers

maureen, I have never heard of polio in goats, that's not to say it is impossible. What are you feeding this little doe? At 4 months old she should be weaned. Do you know what her mother died from? Have you given her anything like probiotics or fastrack? These are like us eating yougart as it replaces beneficial organisms to the digestive system. Have you tried small amounts of Bo-Se it helps with white muscle disease. Is she offered some really good smelling sweet feed and molasses in her water? Have you put her in a pen by herself so she doesn't have to compete for the feed and water? These are just suggestions and I hope she gets better soon

-- Karen Mauk (kansasgoats@iwon.com), June 12, 2001.

Hi I was reading in this site and came across this info about goats and blindness/eye problems although I didn't see anything about polio http://members.tripod.com/goatwisdom/eyes.html

-- Terri in NS (terri@tallships.ca), June 12, 2001.

Polio is short for "Polioencephalomalacia"..sometimes called "PEM". It's a brain discorder caused by rumen upset from heavy grain feeding, or moldy grain generally. Symptoms are star gazing, staggering and sometimes blindness. The body is not producing enough Thiamine (Vit B1), so therefore the treatment is large doses of Thiamine over a few days usually. If she hasn't been vaccinated for enterotoxemia with what's called "CDT" vaccine, it could be that as well, or young goats are very susceptible to coccidiosis, a one- celled organism that destroys the intestines and can quickly kill a kid. In that case, quick oral treatment with one of the "Sulfa" family of drugs should help. I hope she feels better soon! :)patty Prairie Oak Miniatures http://www.minifarm.com/prairie_oak

-- Patty Putnam (littlegoats@wi.rr.com), June 12, 2001.

Maureen we had a goat die of polio about 6 years ago.We were giving her shots but I honestly can't remember what they were.She seemed to be getting better,the died.When i asked ,the vet he said he sees it rarely,but that it was in the soil?It made no sense to me.Sorry thats not much help. Will she take Pail or bottle ?

-- teri (mrs_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), June 13, 2001.

Goat Polio:

http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles/polio.htm

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), June 14, 2001.