Posted by Nat on May 20, 2001 at 10:29:55:
In Reply to: Can goats have asthma?? Need help! posted by Phyllis in NC on May 20, 2001 at 06:27:39:
Are you sure you don't have a upper respiratory infection that didn't respond to Pen ? or possible Lungworms? I had a buck get raspy last year, and rundown and the vet diagonosed him as possibly having lungworms. I have been told if you have a severe infestation they cough up blood, but mild cases will cause the fluid sounds in the lungs as they can get parasitic pnenomonia. He was put on some antibiotics for a week and an intensive worming program. Cleared up in a few weeks as the lungs recovered.
I'd relly be concerned with hearing noises in the lungs as tissue is really sensitive and can be damaged easily if left untreated a long time.
When you treated with penicillin, how much did you give her and for how long? Alot of times many "bugs" respond well to other antibiotics, as so many things have become immune to the Pen G. from misuse as the old habit of "oh, she looks better so I'll stop giving her the antibiotics" and then a few weeks later, the symptoms return and don't respond at all to the drugs. This happens to everyone, even people. You feel better even when you still have a prescription left... you stop taking it.. and the same thing happens. I've done this before too.
Is your hay a bit dusty or fed in a feeder that the goats have to reach upwards for? Sometimes they can inhale little pieces of chaff or dust and get irritated that way.
Hope I helped a bit. I'm sure others have had experiences like this and have more insite then me. Remember, when in doubt a phone call to the vet can't hurt.
-Nat's Little Bit Farm