Sad Day at the Goat Pen

rebbetzin

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Two weeks ago one of the goats got severly injured. We aren't sure exactly what happened since no one was there when it did. I went to milk on Tuesday as normal,and saw puddles of blood on the ground. Thought maybe Shadow was in labor, but it was too early. Or that a preditor got in and injured one of the goats. Checked the goats, everyone was ok, except Shadow, she was lying down with blood on her leg.

At first I didn't see any injury to her, and figured she was in premature labor and there must be a problem. Then she stood up..and I saw a gaping 4 inch split in the skin of her udder just above the teat! Yikes!! It was no longer bleeding much. But looked awful.

A bit later I found a broken mesquite branch, with blood and hair on it. Only thing we can figure is she got "implaled" on the broken branch. OUCH!!

The next day, she went into labor, over a 24 hour period, delivered 3 still born kids. They must have died soon after the trauma.
She appeared to be feeling better after the birthing. Was eating and drinking, but didn't get up much. We kept her warm and comfortable as best we could. The temperatures were in the teens at night here. We rigged up a heat lamp in the milking shed. It became the ICU.

But, Shadow passed away last Sat. night. Very peacfully in her sleep.
She knew she was a very loved goat!

Here she is while in labor. The kids were all stillborn.


RobinMaggiewShadowemail.jpg


On Saturday, she was basking in the sun for a bit.
Countess came to see how she was doing.

ShadiwCountessemail.jpg


She never lost her interest in food!

Shadoweating.jpg


Under the heat lamp with her young friend.

ElisabethandShadow.jpg
 

digitS'

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So sorry, Heidi.

I have had some experience with injury to udder and the resultant mastitis. Oh boy, it wasn't fun and treatment was unsuccessful.

You made her days easier for her. Things don't always go as we hope, for mothers and other living things.

Steve
 

so lucky

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She looked like she really appreciated the loving attention she was getting. I'm so sorry for your loss. :hugs
 

lesa

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So sorry... What a wonderful goat she was, it was a joy getting to "know" her. RIP.
 
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