Another TRAGIC Loss! BUT, We Will Get Answers!

Gone Too Soon!

As many of you have already found out we had another very tragic loss on our farm. Our Beautiful brown Alpine Goat, Peanut, Miss Sassy Pants, was gone suddenly. This goat was my friend, my child and my entertainment with her quizzical stares over the stall door while I milked everyone in the morning. She comforted me when I was sad and laughed with me when I was happy. She really had bonded to us deeply. I am beyond sick with grief over the passing of another one of our family members and in such a short amount of time.

She began with diarrhea (just like the other goats that have been sick this past month) and had no other symptoms besides lethargy. She was gone in less than 24 hours even with all of my normal treatments. I couldn't save her and I am distraught over that. I was not expecting this outcome.

We did take the extra steps this time to get her to Auburn to have the State Diagnostic Lab determine a cause of death through a necropsy. The preliminary findings have ruled out parasites, food, toxins or pneumonia as the cause of death. That is a little scary because those are the common fast killers. The vet told me 90% of what she sees is death due to parasites. There were some signs of an infection and further lab testing has been sent off. We will not know any more thanthat for 2-3 weeks. The wait and worry is torture. The vet seemed very surprised and intrigued that it wasn't a run of the mill issue.

I am devastated and terrified. Whatever this is, I really hope it's preventable and treatable because she was with our herd every day so everyone is exposed. Her condition could be related to the other sicknesses but it's not likely because the other goats got better. Her symptoms were the same as Spice's who we lost at beginning of July. But who knows maybe the two we lost had other issues maybe they didn't? I won't ever know.

As of today, we have another goat that began having diarrhea. I started antibiotics immediately in case it is an infection. I am also doing all my other expert natural remedies to keep her strong. There is nothing else I can do. I hope it is enough. I have done everything I can!

We are very confused, sad, scared and tired. Please pray for answers and that all the others will be fine. Thank you for your love and support during our extremely difficult time. I will update as soon as we know more.