| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| aunt boby |
Posted - Aug 18 2009 : 07:32:15 AM
Have any of you ever had to deal with Sore Mouth in your goats? From what I've read, once its on your farm your stuck with it. Does anyone have any answers. I have 2 does with it and have them quarantined.
POOR IS THE MAN WHO CANNOT ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE- anonymous |
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 20 2009 : 6:27:53 PM
I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I know I would be a basket case by now. But you are handling this very well. Stressing really does nothing to help, only makes it worse. All the diseases these goats can get is scary. We just have to make sure they are healthy and keep closed herds. Be careful who you let on your pastures, too. I have never been too concerned about that but guess I should be.
I just got through with a horrible round of worms. I had one of my does get bottle jaw. I had never seen it before and just freaked out. I am so thankful for my goat mentor friends who helped me through it. The doe is great now and the worm problem is under control. I have learned my lesson. And I have downsized, so that helps alot.
We learn as we go and things just happen, no matter how careful we are. So I really hope you get things under control soon. Keep us posted on your progress. I'm pulling for you and your goaties.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| aunt boby |
Posted - Aug 20 2009 : 2:52:25 PM
You should never vaccinate a clean herd. You would be the one exposing sore mouth to your goats. From what I've read today there can even be a carrier goat that won't even show any symptoms. So I can tell you one thing-Don't buy goats from the sale barn. Buy only from someone you know or trust to tell you of any problems. I learned this lesson the hard way!!
POOR IS THE MAN WHO CANNOT ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE- anonymous |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Aug 20 2009 : 1:21:05 PM
Teresa, My goats do not have it but was just wondering what I could do to keep them from ever getting it. Thanks!
Maggie |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Aug 20 2009 : 1:18:01 PM
I am so sorry this happened to you Toby. Hope your herd gets better soon!
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| aunt boby |
Posted - Aug 20 2009 : 12:45:10 PM
Ok, this has consumed my life because I am worried about the state of my herd. So I have been reading things on the net and contacting people about sore mouth. The CDC states that 40 percent of sheep/goat ranchers have reported sore mouth in their herds in the last 3 years. 5 percent of those ranchers say they vaccinate. I already have my vaccine ordered! I contacted the University of Illinois Veterinary College, they said sore mouth is a poxvirus. It is a superficial disease and no way affects the meat of the animal. So we are still ok to send our goats to be processed. If we vaccinate pregnant does, immunity will be passed to the kids. I think this is a very treatable problem and I'm going to try not to stress about it too much.
POOR IS THE MAN WHO CANNOT ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE- anonymous |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Aug 20 2009 : 12:32:23 PM
Also--be careful of the vaccine--remember that vaccines are either live or killed viruses of the very diseases you are trying to build immunity against. I don't know if they have newer ones on the market but when we were learning about it, they were giving live virus shots, so you are basically giving a bit of the virus to the animal in hopes that they build immunity, and some of them don't--so double check with a vet or professional to see if there is a correct vaccine.
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 20 2009 : 12:24:16 PM
Maggie, if you think your flock might have it, or be carriers, have them tested by a vet, if they are clean then you vaccinate them. You can do that yourself, or have your vet do it.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Aug 20 2009 : 10:12:21 AM
How can you pervent sore mouth?
Maggie |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 20 2009 : 09:09:26 AM
Toby, you can't move the kids off of your farm for butcher, if you do, you will be spreading the disease. Also, if you breed the does, most likely the kids will be born sick, and may never live to butchering age, on top of "eating" contaminated meat. Unfortunatly, this is the sad/bad part of being a farmer/rancher.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| aunt boby |
Posted - Aug 20 2009 : 06:29:56 AM
The farm that the goats came from had gotten in trouble with bank. He had 300+ Boer goats and had to liquidate his whole herd. We went thru and picked out the better looking does and they all looked really good except for neglected hooves. We brought them home two months ago and all has been well up to this point. We decided to have a closed herd even prior to the sore mouth. We are raising the kids to be butchered, so at 2-3 months of age they head down the road to slaughter. The toughest thing about this is it being contagious to humans. So now I have to make sure my children stay far away from them until we can get this in check. This has definatly been a learning process. My girlfriend told me there are 2 kinds of goats. Healthy ones and dead ones! She kinda has a twisted sense of humor. I guess now it will be a waiting game to see who comes up with it next. UGHHHH!!!!!
POOR IS THE MAN WHO CANNOT ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE- anonymous |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 7:23:23 PM
I agree please call the sale barn - they can track the original owners and might be able to contact all the others who purchased. It is a shame that folks have no moral compass - I learned a long time ago not purchase from sale barns because of that style of dishonesty.
When I first started I purchase a little lamb who the owner stated he did not have time for a bottle lamb. I broght it home, cleaned it up and found that the sweet girl had a horribly infected 4inch by 6 inch gash to the neck. She was attached by some type of prediator and the owner did not wish to take care of her. I wondered why she never made a sound in the sale barn. I took her to the vet and I can not tell you how much I spent not to mention the four months of cleaning and draining the wound for five months. But Suezie Q was a joy for 10 years on this farm.
I know the medication you are purchasing will not cure the illness but will assist in keeping them alive. I understand the heart ache so what you will have to do is run a closed herd and farm. That means that no animal can come on or leave the farm. You will have to disclose this to anyone thinking of purchasing or breeding from your herd. It also can be a legal issue because if you do not inform you can be sued. Same with the farm who sold at the sale barn. You can not also take the animals to shows, fair or events - again can be a big legal issue.. If you need further assistance on the care of the goats please do not hesitate to ask - we are here to help. I have heard there are farms who maintain animals with sour mouth so they do not have to be put down - I might check into that - it is almost like a hospics farm - who knows maybe this is what you where meant to do - I have taken many a animals who where slated to be put down (not sore mouth) or left along a highway to die - that has been some of my greatest joys so please do not give up - I will help in anyway I can...
Blessings and prayers - there is a reason for everything, we just have to listen...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 6:28:19 PM
Toby, again I am very sorry. Unfortunatly, the people who brought those goats to the sale barn, most likly knew they were sick, and didn't care, so any goats that you didn't buy and were exposed went else where to now infect other peoples herds. Please call the sale barn and tell them what is going on so they can inform other buyers.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 6:25:26 PM
I sure hope this works for you, Toby. Maybe it's a prevention treatment. What kinds of goats do you have? And you do have alot of them.
A few years back the people at the beginning of our road had to put their whole herd of Boers down. They had about 30-40 with the kids, too. It was so sad. I never heard what it was, but for the whole herd to be put down. They were there one day and gone the next. Just like that. It had to be something like this. They have not gotten any more since. They finally put horses and donkeys on the pasture where the goats were about a year ago. So sad.
I wish you luck with this vaccine.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| aunt boby |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 5:31:16 PM
Well, we have 28 does, 1 buck and 1 wether. 18 of the does came from the sale barn and 2 of these are the ones afflicted. So I'm thinking they must have all been exposed to it and I can't put all these goats down. I've been looking and looking on the net and there is a vaccine you can treat an infected herd with. It's on JeffersLivestock Supplies. It is 100 doses for $25. It is something you have to give yearly. Which is probably our best option at this point. We have too much time and money invested in them to give up now. And if we did try to get rid of the infected does, like others said, this virus can stay in your soil for years. So I am ordering this vaccine tonight and will have to let you all know how this pans out. Thanks for all your input girls!!
POOR IS THE MAN WHO CANNOT ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE- anonymous |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 4:36:00 PM
Toby, I am so vert sorry, as Grace said, your does are pretty much doomed. My advice is to euthanize the does, and burn the bodies. But anywhere they have been is now contaminated, and all your other goats, etc are in jeopardy of also contracting it. Also try and find out where it started, good luck
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 3:39:34 PM
Hey Grace! Long time no see  I hope all your fiber friends are doing well!
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View my work:
www.bigtownfarmer.com
And *NEW* Blogs:
Life: www.wildatheartfarm.blogspot.com
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Plan to save America the old fashioned way!
http://wildatheartfarm.blogspot.com/2009/05/big-project.html |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 2:55:42 PM
This is something that can cripple a farm if not dealt with...
Your correct this spreads like wildfire and must be contained. The animals that are treated are now carriers and for those of us who are organic this is one of the reasons I do not let folks get off my driveway - even the hay delivers are left of the driveway and I carry the hay in because if you drive onto a farm that has sour mouth it is even in the ground.... I have been told by many vet's that 10 years is the magic number for the ground and those animals who have it or have had it should not be bred, moved or showed... This is not something to kid around with. I have seen poor lamb's with this on their mouth who could not nurse or breath very well - they where put down. The ewe or nannies are also put down because they are carriers. I am not sure what your plans are but my heart goes out to you and your girls.
I am so very sorry...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 2:13:22 PM
How sad. I have never even heard of that. Mine are all pigs and I haven't noticed them ever not eating. And all fat, too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 12:28:01 PM
Hey Kristin--the animals get scabs on their mouths and other places, and it is highly contagious--healthy animals tend to recover in about 4 weeks, but it can kill sick or very young animals--especially if it hits their mouths, they will stop eating and waste away. The problem is, once they recover, they become carriers of the disease and the disease stays in the urine etc, and so their entire surroundings get contaminated....so you see it can be a problem. Strict hygene practices are the best way to deal with it.
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View my work:
www.bigtownfarmer.com
And *NEW* Blogs:
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art/dolls: www.wildatheartart.blogspot.com
Plan to save America the old fashioned way!
http://wildatheartfarm.blogspot.com/2009/05/big-project.html |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 10:55:28 AM
Oh no, Toby. That is awful. I hope you are able to get them treated. Is this something they can get over? I wish you luck.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Farmtopia |
Posted - Aug 19 2009 : 07:47:55 AM
Oooh, Toby, I remember this in vet tech school, and at that time, it was really rare--we shouldn't have even been learning about farm animals because--well, as you can see I'm from a big city, but we had to go to a farm for one day for "enrichment"--though there are definitely more varieties of animals in the country than the city.
Anhow, they were calling it orf, though it's sort of a pox virus--and yes, it's reaaaallly hard to eradicate--and can spread to ANY other animals, including HUMANS, so wear gloves when working with them. Actually, the disease can carry for more than 10 years, I hear, so I am not sure what you are planning with the does, but they can spread it to their kids, etc. I would probably not keep them there because they can potentially contaminate anything in their surroundings. You will need to dilute bleach everything, clean up straw bedding promptly, etc.
I wish you the best with this situation
~*~Dream all you dreamers~*~
View my work:
www.bigtownfarmer.com
And *NEW* Blogs:
Life: www.wildatheartfarm.blogspot.com
art/dolls: www.wildatheartart.blogspot.com
Plan to save America the old fashioned way!
http://wildatheartfarm.blogspot.com/2009/05/big-project.html |
