Damummis'- Auf wiedersehen

[CrownofThorns]

Let me see if I can find the link... I found a free copy of Pat Coleby's Natural Goat care that you can download and read. She talks about how a goat that is not copper deficient will not have worm problems. So if you want to try and help them 1. Get them some copper. Most people copper bolus, but I'm different and I give all of my animals herbs. I bought Kop-Sel from Fir-Meadow and that provides them with copper and selenium, and it works fast. See my recent post in my Journal.

If I remember correctly she also talks about treating CL, I think with mega doses of vit C. I'll post this and then update with the link because if you end up stuck with those animals I think this can really help.

I'm so sorry for what your going through. I bought 5 that had been tested the year before I bought them (the owners were totally honest with us and are now good friends of ours) but since they had been tested they were on a cattle farm. Well after I had them for a couple months both of my bucks died from what appeared to be Johne's, although now I think it's not, just mineral deficiency or something else. But now I'm really observant and make sure the animals I buy have been tested free of Johne's, and CAE. I ask if they test for CL if there is ever any abscesses. I realized very early how important it is to make sure your buying animals that have been tested free of disease. I think a lot of people don't realize how important it is, but when you really think about it, $30 is cheaper then losing a $300 goat.

ETA: Here is the link!

 

[Damummis]

Thank you Crown, What a great read.

DH said to wait till tomorrow before I act, in regards to farmer ben. Just in case he didn't get to talk to the vet. DH also said he will call him. He said he might be able to handle it differently. Apparently I am too emotional. Well, ya, Mother Nature DID give me my own 40th birthday present. Sometimes I hate being a female.

I want to thank everyone for you support and non-judgmentalness.
I feel like such a fool. I am gonna go cry now..................

 

[savingdogs]

Do not feel like a fool.

I'm sure everyone here has been "taken in" at some point by an unscrupulious person. It happens to all of us at some point. People think of sneaky ways to cheat others, they are never open about it. If they were, you would not have been cheated! What that man was doing was preying upon your inexperience and it isn't NICE at all. That is why it makes all of us mad.

I have only purchased livestock three times and all three I have had wonderful experiences and very nice and helpful people sold me my animals. I realize now that I was very lucky, especially with the first person who sold us our mini-herd of goats. We met them at the county fair in the 4H barn and struck up a friendship. They genuinely cared about where their "babies" went and taught us all about their care. Your story made me realize how lucky we were and in the future I'm going to ask for testing paperwork, even though I "got away" with not asking.

I was lucky enough when I bought my rabbits, that when the breeder THOUGHT she found a fault in her line, was willing to replace my buck for free. Turned out there was no fault, but there are also nice folks out there selling their animals, you just got a real lemon.

Your hubby is probably right that another person's approach may be helpful, but in my opinion, because he will realize you guys are not going to just take this sitting down and will continue to demand satisfaction.

It is wonderful you are caring for these animals to the best of your ability despite the circumstances. I'm not the one to give you advice about that, but I don't think you should kick yourself so hard. We've all been scammed, ripped off or had a bad experience buying something.

My daughter bought three cars in a row that were utter lemons. She kept saying why me? But sometimes there is no reason.

 

[Damummis]

Just noticed black sheep has a loose tooth. That will leave her with 2. She is WAY older than 3. JERK!!!!

 

[i_am2bz]

I'm sorry for what you're going thru, Damummis, & I would just be beside myself, too. What a terrible experience. I sympathise completely. I feel bad for the animals as well; the jerk obviously doesn't care about them, either. It's painful to think of the poor care he must be giving the ones at his place. Rather than care for them properly, he just sells them off when they become ill (apparently) so they become someone else's problem.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Yeah, through my rose coloured glasses, I would never have thought it could possibly be that bad. I truly hope everything works out for the greater good.

 

[Wannabefree]

My first goat died the second day I had her. We ALL get scammed. I actually let it go, but did not have near the money invested that you do.

 

[Damummis]

Everyone seems different today. Black sheep was more active and ate more than she ever has. I let the goats out and they went around eating evergreens and went back to the barn. It was a sedate, cold day on the farm, but nothing horrible...... yay.

 

[big brown horse]

I've been too busy to post these last few days. I have been reading though. I wanted to say how terribly sorry I am for your situation.

Crown, thank you so much for posting that info.

I too had a sheep catastrophy a few weeks back. We are STILL not over it emotionally, but I did learn quite a few things from it...a small silver lining.

Don't worry about anyone judging you, we usually aren't like that here. If anything we are learning from eachother's mistakes etc.

Once Bee posted over at BYH how her ram lamb's castration went terribly wrong and someone was snarky about it. I hate that...b/c if it weren't for Bee being brave enough to post her mistakes, I might have made the same mistake.

 

[savingdogs]

I agree with BBH....we are not here to tell you something was done incorrectly. I think you were victimized and the hero, not neglectful because you could not immediately take four animals for vet care. I would not have been able to do that either.

I learned a valuable lesson reading your thread and your sharing what happened made me realize it could just have easily have been me. I like to believe what folks tell me and nasty liars get me in trouble.