Banding male goats and sheep

[MissJames]

I have a male lamb that was banded just before I got him ,about 2 1/2 weeks ago.He is starting to lay down a lot,though he'll get up,and seems to just feel cruddy. I think I would too!
The two male goats I'll be getting are going to be banded also.It seems that's what is done around here.I'm a novice.
Can anyone share the behavior of goats and sheep while we wait for the darn things to fall off? The lamb has never let me very close to him so I can't get a good look.He is still intact,though. I'm assuming it hurts,but how can I tell if it's infected?

 

[bheila]

We banded our wether and steer. They only acted off for the first couple of days. The switched their tails a lot more and turned their heads to look at their rear to see what the heck was going on back there. Then 6-8 weeks later "it" fell off. We never experienced any kind of an infection but if your worried you could spray it with Iodine.

 

[IggiMom]

2 1/2 weeks is too long for it to be bothering him. I used to raise sheep. We always banded them, and they were never bothered more than a few minutes.

I wonder if something else is wrong.

I truly do not think that banding your little guy that long ago should have any effect.

Good luck.

 

[Haviris]

I agree that if he's still feeling off after 2 1/2 weeks you need to get a look at it. If it doesn't seem to be infected there may be something else wrong.

 

[hobbyfarmer]

We usually leave our goats intact until after 3-4 months old before we band them and I've never seen one acting 'off' for more than a few hours. It seems to hurt really badly for a few minutes and then it's just uncomfortable for a little while.

Just a thought: but I have been known to catch a teat in the band and have to re-do it very quickly. Maybe something like this has happened to your guy to complicate the situation.

 

[FrizzleFreak]

Ditto. Actually, a lot of them don't even seem to notice, especially when they aren't bottle babies but do have human contact. THere's something else amiss...

 

[MissJames]

Quote:
He hasn't been off the entire time,just yesterday and today.The sac has not fallen off yet so I was wondering if it might be infected.He still gets up and takes off as I approach him,but he's not hanging with the doelings like he was before.
My husband is going to help me round him up tonight. I have topical antibiotic spray,penicillin,tetanus toxoid and safeguard wormer. I wish he could just tell me what's wrong!
Should I hold off on any of that? It seems like a lot to do at one time.I don't want to make it worse.
His food and hay haven't changes.No copper products while he's in with the goats,so I just don't know .
His new herdmate will be weaned on the 8th.I think he'll feel better once he's with another sheep,but I hesitate to bring her home if something is making him sick.

 

[griffin45]

MissJames, I PMed you about banding and tetanus. Give him tetanus anti-toxin right away and then maybe some anti-biotics. Spray with Iodine and then with Blu-Lotion....

Chris

 

[MissJames]

Quote:
Okay,
I've done all that.He's nice and purple.He's had a full dose of anti-toxin and penicillin.He gave us a run for our money ,no stiffness,so I pray that's not it.I'll get more in the morning .I pray he doesn't suffer because of my ignorance. I'm going back out to check on him.Whenever I get close he jumps up to move away,so I'm trying to let him rest.
Besides learning to always get the vaccinations ,I'm also learning to have plenty of all medications on hand.I had intended to give him the anti-toxin when I got home with him.I thought he would come up to me like the goats do when they get fed.He won't come within ten feet of me!If there's a next time they will get their injections before they get out of the crate!
Anyone out there willing.....please pray for this little guy.His name is Zeke.
Thanks

 

[Laney]

MissJames,

If there is one thing I've learned in my entree into farming.....it's that there is SOOOOOO much to learn.

Anyone who thinks you just feed em, water em and turn em loose is nuts.

There's worms did ya know???? And diseases that need vaccines...and you have to make sure this one isn't breeding with that one. They need a proper house, shade, this mix of feed at this time of the year, but not at that.

If they are fixed they can't have grain....but it's ok if they aren't. If they are bred they need more of these minerals....Give the Geese and chickens oyster shell to increase calcium, but the ducks won't touch it. They do better with something like hog feed which has higher calcium etc. (*I"m mixing animals here....so don't take any advice from this paragraph)

I have more of my garage taken up by goat chow, sweet grain, chicken feed, cracked corn, duck feed, pine shavings.....and more of my fridge by animal meds.....

Then there is the trimming. Hooves, nails...and that's only if you can catch them. Or trick them into the staunchion. I have purchased 4 pygmy goats in the last year and not a single owner had ever trimmed their hooves.

Then if you show them!!! I just found out you have to shave their hooves up to just at the ankle!! SHAVE! A goat!!!!!

Now I'm just ranting here...but I wanted you to realize...that with such a steep learning curve...you're allowed to not know what to do when your goat's behavior changes suddenly like that. What you did right was you paid close attention to your new baby and you asked for help.

The best thing you can do is keep the meds on hand, and your Vet's number on speed dial.

That's what I plan to do come August when my first babies are due!!!!

Laney