If he survives, which we expect he will, he’ll be a golden goat.
It all started last Monday when Leland didn’t join the rest of the goats and the sheep on their morning walk to the pasture. I could tell immediately that he didn’t feel well, but had no idea what was wrong.
By lunchtime, he was on his side, moaning and straining. I was sure he had bloat. I got half a cup of vegetable oil down his throat, along with baking soda and milk of magnesia, and massaged his left side all afternoon. (The rumen of a goat is on the left side; it acts as a big fermentation vat. Bacteria and protozoa in the rumen supply enzymes to break down the fiber in the goat’s feed.)
Monday night, we moved Leland to the garage where he would be warm on a blanket and we could keep a constant eye on him. I know he didn’t feel well because he allowed me to sit with him and stroke his fur. By then, he at least seemed more comfortable.
There were calls to and discussions with several local vets, none of whom were helpful. By Thursday, Leland really seemed to be doing better, but we wanted to be sure he was alright. One thing bothered us… we hadn’t seen him pee in several days.
It happens that the vet who sees our dogs knows goats and agreed to see Leland on Friday afternoon.
After a sonogram, the vet was able to confirm that Leland’s bladder was the size of a pumpkin and full of stones. Leland needed to go into surgery to relieve the pressure on his bladder and make adjustments to his boy parts where it was certain that some of the stones were lodged.
The vet attributed Leland’s stones to his diet and his weight. I’m so angry with myself because I should have known – and didn’t – that wethered goats should not be fed grain. And… Leland’s weight… 104 pounds. The vet said that she was being generous when she suggested that he weigh no more than 70 pounds. I was loving him to death!
We brought Leland home on Saturday afternoon with strict instructions to cut out his grain, increase his salt intake to make sure he drinks a lot of water and to feed him nothing other than grass hay. The hope is that Leland’s bladder stones will pass and dissolve with the changes in his diet.
For now, he’s still peeing in drops rather than streams. We’re watching him and making sure he knows we love him. Fingers crossed. ♥
I’ve been in such a funk worrying about this boy. I’m sorry for not posting for so long. 😦
May 10, 2011 at 4:26 am
Oh I´m so sorry about poor Leland, that sounds painful. Fingers are crossed for him to get rid of the stones. You did for best Justina, don´t blame yourself!
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May 10, 2011 at 5:16 am
Feel better soon Leland! How stressful to have a sick family member!
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May 10, 2011 at 5:37 am
Jingles from WI for Leland!
It’s so hard when animals are sick…I just wish they could tell us what’s wrong and we could fix things right away.
Glad you found the problem and he’s on the road to a skinny recovery. 🙂
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May 10, 2011 at 5:37 am
I certainly hope the ‘golden’ stream is back before long. Poor, poor goatie! Just hate seeing them suffer and not being able to do much to help.
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May 10, 2011 at 5:39 am
Oh, goodness, I hope Leland will be alright. I have a tendency to overfeed my pets and I’ve had that same talking to from the vet. It’s a horrible feeling, isn’t it, like you’ve been a bad mommy? The thing is, we can’t know everything, can we? Now you know, so please stop being angry with yourself. You are one of the most dedicated pet moms I have ever heard of and I know you will go to any lengths for your “kids”. If anyone can get Leland though this, you can.
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May 10, 2011 at 5:52 am
Oh my, how stressful! And I know how it hurts when you realize you weren’t doing the best by your animals. Thankfully you caught it in time, and now you know. Whoever thought of bladder stones in goats? (well, probably lots of people, just not me! 🙂 )
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May 10, 2011 at 5:52 am
So very relieved to hear that Leland is on the mend. Sending good thoughts his way for a speedy recovery.
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May 10, 2011 at 5:56 am
Here’s prayers for Leland.
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May 10, 2011 at 6:01 am
Did he have surgery? If so, were some of the stones removed? From a human urological standpoint it sounds as if the problem isn’t solved. Please be sure the vet knows he’s still not able to pee. He’s still blocked and this is dangerous.
You are wonderful and you are not to blame.
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May 10, 2011 at 6:51 am
Anne,
You’re exactly right. He did have surgery. They removed some stones and the tip of his boy part to remove a blockage point and to increase flow. Unfortunately, stones still remain (in his urethra, for example), which is why things are still very much touch and go. Yes, he’s still blocked and this is dangerous and we’re taking things from day to day right now. We’re working on lowering the pH level in his bladder, which we hope will prevent more stones from forming and will help the existing stones to dissolve and pass. 😦
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May 10, 2011 at 6:25 am
Yikes! You can’t know everything. Poor little guy, hope he feels better soon.
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May 10, 2011 at 6:30 am
Ahhh, poor Leland and poor you…….sending my strongest vibes for a full recovery for both of you !! ❤
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May 10, 2011 at 6:42 am
I know with all your good care Leland will be fine….Glad you’re back online! There can never be too many prayers going up.
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May 10, 2011 at 7:10 am
Don’t ever feel you’ve let us down.
Every post we receive makes our spirits
soar–from Patrick’s rescue….to this sad
news that will have a happy ending..
I know I speak for all of us who are lovers
of our animals as well as yours–your devotion and love keeeps them going. And
you!!! Keep us “posted”…
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May 10, 2011 at 7:15 am
Hugs for the whole lot of you. It’s so scary when a pet goes down and can’t tell you what hurts. I hope his stones pass quickly and he gets back to normal. It must be terribly painful.
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May 10, 2011 at 7:32 am
Don’t apologize for not posting in a while Justina. We know there’s a disturbance in the force when we don’t hear from you. Good thoughts for Leland being sent your way.
Take care,
Suzanne
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May 10, 2011 at 7:32 am
When our miniature donkey, Finessa, foundered our vet told me the same thing. JUST hay. NO MORE carrots. I was killing her with kindness. She was overweight and she foundered. Because I fed her too much good stuff. In a perverse way, it makes me feel better knowing I’m not the only one who has done that. You’re a good mom to your animals. No. You are a great mom to your animals. And now you have a golden goat to prove it!
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May 10, 2011 at 7:33 am
Ask your vet about “Bio-Chlor” (until I retired in Dec. 2010, I worked in the office for two large animal vets who routinely prescribed this to our goat clients to help with this problem).
Hope he’s doing better!
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May 10, 2011 at 7:56 am
Poor Leland, stones are painful and icky and poor Leland. I know that you will continue to give him the very best care possible and love him well.
Missed hearing from you but I figured you were on an adventure of some kind, just sorry it was not a purely positive adventure. All our healing thoughts from Casa de Cuckoo and the cuckooettes.
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May 10, 2011 at 7:59 am
So glad to hear you and Don are OK, but sorry about Leland. I belong to a Yahoo packgoat group and have learned a lot about goats. Those folks are a wealth of info about goat behavior and health. You might want to check out the group.
Hugs to you and to Leland. Best wishes for his speedy, uneventful recovery!
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May 10, 2011 at 8:44 am
Yikes! Sending best thoughts that he feel much better soon!
So hard to know what to do for them! Even with just one species, keeping track of what they ought to do or not do….. Figuring out why the dog wants to go outside in a thunderstorm in the middle of the night and eat grass, and whether that needs action on my part……….
Being on top of the needs of so many different critters…… Huge.
I have such admiration for vets, keeping track of what is needed by so many different sorts of bodies/digestive-systems/etc!
Sending you a hug.
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May 10, 2011 at 8:46 am
Just yesterday, I was thinking about how I carry so much guilt about how I messed up with every single one of my animals, in some way or other. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Now you know what needs to be done and you can all move forward from a new Point A.
I’m so sorry to hear that Leland was in distress and glad that he got some relief in time to avert disaster. I’m hoping for the best and looking forward to seeing videos of him cavorting around the pasture, all sleek & svelte, happy & healthy.
Blessings,
Carolynn
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May 10, 2011 at 8:52 am
Oh! I am very sorry about poor Leland! I hope that Leland feels better soon!
Many hugs to you all.
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May 10, 2011 at 8:56 am
I know you’re not the only one who is guilty of feeding grain to the wrong creature and at the wrong time- me too! But we’re wiser now. I’ve heard that grain isn’t good for donkeys either; what do you feed the boys? Inquiring minds want to know…. just in case I get one someday…. (hoping!)
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May 10, 2011 at 9:01 am
Oh my!! Sending healing thoughts to Leland. He sure is handsome fellow!
Our animal ‘family’ members sure do know how to keep us on our toes with worry.
Hugs.
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May 10, 2011 at 9:13 am
Hope Leland feels better soon and the stress lessens.
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May 10, 2011 at 9:30 am
Keeping my fingers crossed for Leland. I know he’s in good hands!!
Good luck – try not to worry too much!!
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May 10, 2011 at 9:58 am
Please don’t be so hard on yourself and do not worry for us. We’ll take an ‘all’s well’ post and you worry over and take care of your babies…
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May 10, 2011 at 12:48 pm
I can only imagine how worried you are. I am sure with your love Leland will pull through!
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May 10, 2011 at 12:53 pm
I knew something had to be wrong when I visited daily to find no new post. I’m so sorry about Leland, but he has definitely deserved your time right now. Wishing you and Leland healthy daily progress!!
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May 10, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Poor Leland! I hope he’s feeling better soon. Harry (my mini schnauzer) had to have bladder surgery last year for stones. Oh the worry our critters put us through! Sending good healing thoughts and prayers your way.
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May 10, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Oh no, poor Leland!! I talked to you on Sunday and you didn’t tell me!! Will send lots of goat kisses his way and what the heck, sending you some goat kisses too. 🙂
Miss you and try not to worry – you are one good momma. xoxo
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May 10, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Best wishes to all of you… I was wondering if something was up, since it’s been a couple of days. Don’t fret too much about “what could have been.” We all make mistakes and learn as we go sometimes. The important thing is that you were proactive with his health and got him treated. And now we all learned something from it (I had no idea about the goat diet either!)
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May 10, 2011 at 9:03 pm
I work with babies and I’m always telling moms – who feel guilty about one thing or another – you do the best you can with the information you have at the moment. Preaching to myself, too. And my sister told me that my kid is going to need therapy for some thing that I have done so I might as well expect it and move on and do the best I can! So hang in there, Justina. You are an awesome mom! It’s not like you were feeding him cake and cookies and things bad for him! He’s gonna do swell b/c you are looking out for him. I mean, how many folk notice that there goat hasn’t peed! keep us posted!
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May 10, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Oh no!! 😦
I’m so sorry for you and for Leland. I’m thinking powerful healing thoughts for that sweet boy. You are a wonderful critter mama, don’t you EVER think otherwise, Justina.
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May 11, 2011 at 3:45 am
I know how the animals can worry you just about to death. I hope he’s peeing bigger drops, at least, now.
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May 11, 2011 at 6:36 am
Hope Leland is improving.
Sending another hug.
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May 11, 2011 at 6:46 am
Vicki,
Oh, thank you so much. Sending a big hug back to you.
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May 11, 2011 at 7:31 am
I hope he’s feeling better.
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May 11, 2011 at 8:43 am
Oh, poor Mr. Tumnus. I hope that he is feeling better now. That can’t have been comfortable.
But don’t blame yourself – if you were beating him, using him for roping practice or not feeding him at all, you could be blamed. Don’t blame yourself for loving him.
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May 11, 2011 at 1:11 pm
I completely understand how you feel. I’ve dealt with bloat a lot and lost some to it too. I’m glad you reacted when you did. Don’t beat yourself up over the bladder stones. It’s sad, but everyone makes mistakes. I thought I knew how to take care of goats when I got back into them as a adult and I still made a ton of mistakes. He’ll be okay. Hugs.
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May 18, 2011 at 4:20 am
Poor guy. I hope he’s better. I’ve been missing you, then blogger went down, now I’m catching up.
We certainly can love them to bits…
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May 18, 2011 at 5:59 am
Winter,
I’ve been missing you too. I’m so far behind on everyone’s blogs and am feeling so guilty about it. I must catch up soon.
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