Cold, Flu & Congestion Remedy

Tess, the goat, actualy appears to be on the road to recovery. She never went down but was a little more lively yesterday. Of course, I had to fuss with her for many hours and it is very apparent that animals, just like humans, really respond to a caring hand. She would give sad little cries when I left the barn and was very relieved when I returned home from a trip to get feed.

One of the *potions* that I gave her, in a very small dose since I was worried about lung aspiration, was an Immune Tonic. This stuff is quite ghastly but just smelling it will clear out your nostrils. Here's the recipe:

Grated fresh ginger

1 whole onion, chopped

One bulb garlic chopped

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Above ingredients covered in Apple Cider Vinegar

Steep for 2 weeks

You use about a tablespoon in a cup of water, added raw honey wouldn't hurt. If that doesn't kill any infection, I'm not sure what will!

I really believe that rest is probably the major factor for recovery in illness. Tess is getting a break from the herd although she is still with them in the barn. That is reassuring for her. However, since she is bred, I am concerned. She needs to keep up her feed intake and most importantly her water consumption. She has not lost condition, so far but if she doesn't start eating a little better, she could be in trouble. In the last month of pregnancy, the kids really start growing and they'll take from the mother's body if they have to. If the mom does get the nutrients she needs, her reserves will be depleted quickly and a very serious condition will set in: pregnancy toxemia. Since she is still about 2 months away from kidding, I'm not too worried, yet. However, she is a nigerian and probably carrying multiple babies so there is a risk.

Yet, for now, she is fairly perky and has started to nibble hay, some pelleted electrolytes and actually ate some kelp. I will probably have to drench her again today. Drenching is not fun and the risk of fluids in the lungs is there, not a good idea when you have pneumonia. Basically it means sticking a sort of large syringe deep into her mouth and forcing fluids down her. Goats really don't like it and sort of have a mini anxiety attack about it.