Cinnamon has always been our best milking goat, and this morning we thought we were going to lose her. Yesterday she was really bloated when I brought her in from the field, so we administered the usual remedy for bloat (oil and baking soda) and she got feeling better and was eating. However, this morning she was lying down with her head down and wouldn't get up, when she finally stood she was very shaky and quickly laid back down. Her eyes became sunken back, and there was hardly any corneal reflex. Her head was back just like when animals are about to die. The vet came out not a moment too soon. She administered a few pain relievers and antibiotics, but Cinnamon didn't improve. Then, she thought it might be milk fever. Milk fever is when animals (or people for that matter) become so severely deficient in calcium that they will die if they don't immediately receive a large dose of calcium. A little after the calcium was administered, Cinnamon began to turn the corner. By the time I got home from college, Cinnamon had her head up and was chewing her cud.
Now she's up and eating hay and grain. She wanted to go outside, but we are making her stay in so she can rest for now and recover. Above is a picture of one of Cinnamon's granddaughters visiting her in the "hospital." ;)
I'm so thankful Cinnamon didn't die and I hope she makes a full recovery. Life wouldn't be so exciting with our crazy little Cinnamon around. Not to mention she gives about 1 1/2 gallons of milk per day!