Poorly goat - vet has been but we could do with some ideas

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Blurr

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Our goat has lost his appetite. Vet visited on Monday, said he had a temp (39.7) and gave antibiotics and anti-inflammatories (and has left some for me to give). But, poor goat is looking sicker and weaker and I've looked up temp and while 39.7 is at the top end of normal range, it is normal for goats. He lives with one other who is as bright as a button so maybe not viral infection?.

He is now even less interested in eating and we know that if the rumen stops working we are in trouble. We have been here before and lost a very old goat, we don't know the age of this one but at least 10 I think, we've had him for 4 years and neighour had him for 3 or 4 years and he was full grown when they got him. Droppings are normal, no scouring seen.

The vet is coming back out this afternoon, but doesn't know much about goats.

If anyone has any experience of goats and any helpful suggestions, I'd be grateful to hear them. He's a much loved goat.
 
I have had goats for about 15 years and I feel for you, 10 is a good age

When we had a problem some years ago with one of our goats I done a search on-line for a vet who specialises in goats, my vet contacted him and they went from there.
The goat vet was really helpful to my farm vet and things improved once he got involved (Just google goat vet or goat specialist)
I have dozens of books about goats here somewhere but when you need to find them they are no-where to be seen
 
Not much help I'm afraid, it could be almost anything...but wishing your goat all the best and wishes for a speedy recovery (I've had goats and know how lovely they are).
 
Goats are prone to UTI's, has this been ruled out? They do normally exhibit obvious signs that this is an issue, but sometimes they don't.

Has he eaten something that's not good? Been fed cabbage or similar?
 
Thank you for the good wishes.

He's not been fed anything different by us and isn't on a footpath so don't think he's got anything from anywhere else (also, his friend is very greedy and she would have had it first and she's fighting fit).

UTI not ruled out but broad spectrum ABs being given. He only started those on Monday but though the vet thought he had a very high temp, it seems they may have been thought it should be same as a horse so perhaps not an infection. We will see what the temp is this afternoon.

There is a goat vet at our practice but he was on leave on Monday and is with a colicky horse and unavailable for call out today. We will ask the vet attending to discuss with him but do feel we need a vet today rather than wait. They fade so fast :(
 
If he is a wether it could be a blockage due to stones, keep an eye on his urination and any water intake, normal syringe is good for keeping fluids going in and the vet will have sachets of things that can be added to the water for goats
Goat willow is a good source of anti inflamatory but if he isn't eating it won't help, small amounts of ivy can also help but its getting him to gain an appetite first
You could also put him in your car and take him to the surgery to see the goat vet if you prefer, although he may be happier/more comfortable/less stressed at home
Good luck with the vet today, I adore my goats so know how you are feeling
 
He is a wether. Thank you to all who have suggested UTI or stones, it's not something I considered and we will keep an eye on fluid intake and I will ask my husband to ask the vet and also ask her to speak to the goat vet. We will also ask for supplements for water and feed. We can put him in the car if the goat vet is available at the surgery today. A previous goat was given some sticky molasses looking stuff usually fed to calves I think, to try and get the rumen going, that might help to keep him going at least while we find out what is wrong.

Otherwise, he's wormed, de-loused, foot trimmed, no lumps, bumps or abscesses, coat and skin look good, no bald or sore spots on body or feet. His breathing is normal, the vet listened to his lungs and was happy with them. No coughing or snotting. Just nothing obvious except he's listless and depressed and his appetite is decreasing and he's losing weight. He's kept with one other who's managed in exactly the same way, and she's very well and her normal self.
 
Has your vet ruled out bloat? when our goat gets listless and loses appetite it is invariably because he has bloat we give him bicarb and that sets him right, not saying you should take my advice over your vets but bloat can drag them down and they don't always actually look bloated so well worth broaching with the vet if they haven't mentioned it
 
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Second trying the bicarb. Also when my goats are poorly I always ask for the b-vitamins injection. Trying tempting with warm mashy type food, speedibeet, alfalfa pellets etc
 
with goats pneumonia is a possibility we had a young goat it used to wear several pullovers and a coat if it got poorly so it could be the changable weather apparently that is common in goats too ours was a nanny
 
How did he get on with the vet this afternoon? If you don't have much faith in your vet I would try to find another. If no goat vets locally anywhere that does much sheep work should have an idea :)
 
I hope you have good news about your goat shortly, superb suggestions posted by others

I was racking my brains when with my goats this afternoon, it was such a long time ago but the supplement name totally escapes me, it contains all vit/mins needed, you mix it with water and syringe in, it is beige in colour and quite gloopy and smells to me like the inside of a malteser, it comes in a sealed tin foil pouch/its dried powder, it came via my vet but it was years ago so once again there may be something much better now
 
I'm very sorry to post this update. Hell Boy took a sudden turn for the worse yesterday and we had no choice but to put to sleep. He was a wonderfully charming and delightful goat and we, and his companion, Harriet, will miss him terribly.
 
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