My Togg doe is 3 months along and yesterday morning when I went to care for them she was pawing the ground, backing up into the cattle panel, turning in circles, and really kind of just moaning a bit. She would not come to eat. Also she was hanging her head at half mast. She has no discharge, nor did she seem dilated at all. She didn't have a fever, but she just kept doing those things, so I took her to the vet. He checked her for worms and checked her cervix, said she had no signs of labor nor worms.

I just started to dry her up, first I milked every other day for one week and then I let her go. Her udder doesn't feel warm at all, although it looks uncomfortable. She got a shot of banamine(?) from the vet and acted like everything was just fine after that, but still was acting a bit off last night. Any ideas on what could be happening?

She has minerals and free choice baking soda, it has been really wet here, and things are pretty lush right now, I feed a really good mix of feed, and alfalfa hay to her twice a day, they also get coastal hay to munch during the day. Also, they have browse and no much in the way of grasses where they are.She looks pretty darn pregnant already and is much larger at this stage than the last time she freshened with twins. Thanks in advance for your help!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), March 17, 2001

Answers

Now she has a yelowish foam coming from her anus. I have her isolated and gave her probios. I broke my thermometer, too. Just for added excitement.

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), March 17, 2001.

I was going to say her bag is probably very uncomfortable, but with that last comment, I don't know. Did you give her any meds orally that might have done that? Maybe too much alfalfa if she is that big allready, and maybe too much grain too. The grain will make milk, I don't think she needs any right now. Are you sure the alfalfa isn't moldy, even just a tad? Poor thing, she doesn't feel good. I think I would milk out her bag at least to get her feeling better, and see what the vet says about the foam.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), March 17, 2001.

Is there any way she could have Listeriosis? I've heard that this disease causes circling and odd behavior. I would test for it, because it is danerous to humans as well.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 17, 2001.

She isn't circling or pawing anymore. I wonder if she just might have eaten too much lush stuff and had gas? I am keeping her on grass hay with no grain. She is very alert, and her droppings are a tic sticky, but no diarrhea, so I think she will be okay. I have to get another thermometer tonight. I think I'll milk her out tonight as well. The hay is really the best we can get here in Tx and it isn't moldy at all nor does it smell the least bit damp or musty. I guess we will see what tomorrow brings.

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), March 17, 2001.