Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats Blog - Triplets born - New baby pics

[ruth]

LSU had to delay Bitsy's surgery till later today because a "Pig emergency" came in. DH said he doesn't feel so bad now about taking a goat in for surgery now that someone has taken a pig.

They called later this afternoon and said the surgery went well and she was awake and eating. She has a compression plate and 6 screws in her leg. The initial break had healed out of alignment so they had to saw the end of each bone, at an angle, and rejoin the bone and then add the plate.

She should do fine but will still be on 4-6 week cage rest so that it can heal. After that, she can go back to her bucking bronco ways.

Thanks all for asking. It's been kinda lonely without her here today. Even DH said he wanted to call them this morning and make sure they were taking care of her. They are the best vet surgeons around so I'm sure she's in good hands.

 

[Henrietta23]

Thank you for taking the time to update us. I'm so glad it's gone well! Give her a hug from her BYC buddies as soon as you can! (I'm a little teary here.....)

 

[RedStickLA]

I am so glad the surgery went well!

Mitzi

 

[CHICKENLADY123]

I just got new Nigerians this year too !! Love them. For the dairy question....Nigerians are one of the top dairy breeds. People still try to snub them at shows...but they are winning their division against Nubians ( another top dairy breed ). We have both type and feed Goat Chow and Sweet Cobb mixed together with Alfalfa as a treat. Cost is about $30 per month (5 goats). We too ended up with a tiny doe. She was sick when she was delivered (grumble grumble), we did not realize how sick until too late. We fell in love. The vet said the illness stunted her growth. She is about 6 months old and 16 lbs. I have been advised not to breed her this year, due to her size. Small is cute, but I do not want to take any chances with her health. If you google "nigerian goat standards" you will get a list of what a "proper" nigerian should look like. Height, weight, etc... You do get penalized for under sized goats and take a big risk on them dying during pregnancy. But I love my little babies, would love to bring them in the house this winter. Spending this weekend winterizing their barn. New doors, heaters, bedding, flooring, etc.... Wish I could do the same for my home.

 

[MissPrissy]

Monique, I got my first nigerian last month. She is for my 10 yr old DD's 4H project. She is the tiniest thing! With my other goats standing around to can hide easily among their legs and you'll never see her. LOL

I was sorry to read of your little goat with the broken leg when you first wrote of it. I hope this surgery does the trick and she heals nicely.

 

[ruth]

Yesterday's LSU vet report on Bitsy didn't sound too good. They said she was in pain and having difficulty using her leg because after 8 weeks in a cast the muscles had atrophied.

Today's report sounded better. He said she is using her leg some and starting to put a little weight on it. But he said she is still not ready to come home - maybe by Thursday or Friday. He did say her sores from the long-term cast were also starting to heal.

We are leaving for a trip to Canada on Friday and were hoping to have her home by then. If she isn't ready then, she will have to wait till Wed. when we get back.

It seems every time the guy calls (vet student) he gets our voice mail and I haven't been able to talk to him. He won't leave an number and caller ID shows "blocked call". I know I could call the doctor directly since I have his number but I don't know that he could give me any more information. I know she is in good hands but it's sounding pretty serious when the first phone call, after surgery on Thursday, said she might be able to go home the next day, Friday and now they are saying "maybe" next Friday but can't promise.

Poor little Bitsy.

 

[helmstead]

I'm happy for you that they're reporting an improvement, hope that continues. By all means call and bother the doctor. It will make you feel better to hear it live, I imagine.

IMO with you leaving Friday, she might be better off staying at the hospital until you return...that way if any complications arise, she'll already be where she needs to be for treatment.

Keeping you and Bitsy in my thoughts!

 

[Henrietta23]

I would definitely call. You have a right to be able to have any questions answered and you should let them know that you'll be away and leave a cell number etc. I hope she's much better by the time you get back!

 

[ruth]

I was finally able to talk to the vet student who is caring for Bitsy today. He said she is making progress but will have permanent damage.

The atrophied muscles and tendons are being worked with physical therapy and they are making some progress and feel she will gradually get most use back as she starts to actually use the leg and put weight on it.

However, the joint just below the break which is in upper thigh (what appears to me to be her knee but he said is actually her ankle) had started to calcify and mineralize due to long term in cast. He said X-rays showed it was caused by initial trauma during the break and there was a small bone fragement and the joint has hardened and calcified over so she will never have full joint mobility and will walk with a stiff legg. He said it was irreversible.

He did say x-rays and scans are showing that she is getting bone calcium back (or something to that effect) that had depleted during the long immobility also - so that was good.

The stitches come out tomorrow and she can come home on Friday morning since we have to leave Friday afternoon for our trip to Canada. She will have to stay in a cage/kennel for 4-6 weeks with just limited walks on a leash.

Other than a stiff joint that will never bend all the way(middle of leg) she should be fine.

 

[Henrietta23]

Thanks so much for the update Ruth! I'm glad she will have you to take good care of her when she comes home.