Help Goat with Urinary Calculi

[Chuckfriedrice]

Bisuit had a turn for the worse , Last night he was straining alot to urinate and only little dribbles came out . This morning he was laying around alot and just dripping a few drops of urine for what looked like a lot of painful pushing . So we called the only vet around who would see him ( same vet he seen the other day ) He went in and removed 1 stone but the major blockage kept moving . He said we had 2 choices put a catheter in him and hoped that it stayed for the 10 period . He didnt feel this would be helpful cuz he didnt think Biscuit could urinate . So the next option was a Perineal Urethrostomy. .....But as I was doing this the vet called and said Biscuit wasnt gonna make it! My wife and I went to say good bye ! So we both rubbed his head for the last time and said goodbye !



Biscuit

joined us 1/23/2013 - 4/19/2019

 

[Stacykins]

I am so sorry for your loss. Sounds like you really tried to help your poor lad. It is the worst when not even a vet can save them, I had that happen to a lil doe once.

With you remaining goat (a wether too, right?) definitely add some ammonium chloride, fruit fresh, or apple cider vinegar (this goes in water) to his diet as a preventive measure. If something is off in the diet is causing stone formation, it might help ensure it doesn't happen with him, either.

 

[cassie]

I am sorry for your loss. In the 40 plus years i had goats I had only two cases of urinary cacluli. We had to put both animals down.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I am sorry to hear about your loss :-( Urinary blockage can be such a devastating thing. Sounds like you did all you could for him though.

 

[H Diamond]

So sorry You tried, and I'm sure he left you knowing he was loved.

 

[Chuckfriedrice]

We have started putting ammonium chloride in there minerals . What hey does everyone feed the goats . We have been using orchard hey . I was told by goat owners around here it was good for them ?

 

[Stacykins]

Here my goats get grass hay for the most part. Pregnant or lactating does get alfalfa.

Orchard grass doesn't have a balanced calciumhosphorus ratio. It has more phosphorus than calcium. If you look at this PDF, it has the ratios of some common feeds. It is geared towards horses, yes, but goats also need a 2:1 ratio for their diet (two parts calcium for every one part phosphorus consumed).

Because the orchard grass is lacking in calcium, you need to make up for it elsewhere.

 

[H Diamond]

Here are two articles on urinary calculi prevention. Both have good information and might help you understand more about it.
http://www.pygmygoatclub.org/general_info/articles/uc_metobolic.htm
http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/urinarycalculi06.html

 

[Chuckfriedrice]

Good Info thanks . We have found a orchard / alfalfa mix , the feed store said its near the 50/50 . Which according to the ratios , it will be pretty good . Alfalfa has about a 5/1 ratio which will make up for the orchards 1/1 . Feed gets given every other day small amounts , nice little treat same with minerals . Extra water buckets to keep the water fresh . We have 2 other weathers ( 1 which was done when he was 3 months ) trying keep an eye on him , along with 2 bucks and 5 does . The bucks are not happy to be seperated but there are doe kids and we dont want them getting pregnant till they are old enough .