Showing Tag: "treatment of goat polio" (Show all posts)

Doc's Recovery Journal - I won't give up, if you don't give up...

Posted by Danielle Hicks on Sunday, January 10, 2010, In : Doc's Recovery Journal

This cold weather we've been having has taken it's toll on Doc, and greatly slowed his recovery. It feels like he's giving up, and my heart is breaking. Doc is no longer trying to stand, I know his legs are tired, as is his old body. I'm hoping that with warmer temperatures in the week ahead, we'll see continued progress!

I love this big, stubborn, stinky ol' goat! He has to keep trying to get better. He HAS to get up and stand...

His personality is back completely, down to shoving his head in...
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Doc's Recovery Journal - He stands!

Posted by Danielle Hicks on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, In : Doc's Recovery Journal

Great news today!

After being in the sling for about 30-45 minutes, I untied the ropes to let Doc down. Only, when I did so, he didn't go down. He stood on his own! His right front leg is still pretty useless, but I could see him putting weight on it, and figuring it all out. He laid down on his own, in a very controlled motion, after about 15 minutes. He was exhausted, but what a triumphant day!

I got him a coat in preparation for the cold week ahead... It wouldn't be necessary, except he ca...

Doc's Recovery Journal - When the goin' gets tough...

Posted by Danielle Hicks on Sunday, January 3, 2010, In : Doc's Recovery Journal

... Doc just keeps on goin'!

Last night I was so worried about Doc. He just looked so tired and depressed. I took him treats, and stayed longer with him than I usually do, but he remained very solemn...

This morning, he was very much the same. He ate his breakfast, and is drinking some, but his head was low, and not much like the proud buck I know and love.

After his breakfast, I had a lot of running around to do. I hated leaving Doc alone for so long, but it had to be done! When I returned home...
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Doc's Recovery Journal - Catching up to Doc!

Posted by Dani Hicks on Saturday, January 2, 2010, In : Doc's Recovery Journal

On my way home from the vet's office with my very sick patient, I made a phone call to my husband. I wanted him to be prepared for what he was going to see when I got my cargo home. I explained to him that Doc looked very much like he did before. I went on to tell him the improvements he made in the two days at the vet's office. We knew that when we got home, we would have to turn our goat barn into a makeshift GICU (Goat Intensive Care Unit).

To get the barn ready for our patient, we made su...

Doc's Recovery Journal - A story of survival and hope...

Posted by Danielle Hicks on Thursday, December 31, 2009, In : Doc's Recovery Journal

In the first and very short post of this blog, I said I was going to discuss the ups and downs of being owned by goats. I really don't want to start it this way, but this story must be told...

Right now, at the Promise Ranch, we're dealing with a killer. Goat polio is a swift and merciless killer of goats. It doesn't care about pedigree, size, or strength of its victims. It strikes without warning. Even with aggressive treatment, the mortality rate of this diabolical disease is 80%. There a...