Saturday, July 19, 2008 | Day 78

The last of the 'scab' has fallen off and Andi looks fantastic!




I gave the Toggenbergs the Copper boluses at the beginning of July and Andi's coat is markedly improved.

Andi (the one teat wonder)

I can't thank Joyce at Saanendoah enough for all her experience, knowledge and support!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 | Day 53

Big Day! The teat has fallen off. And along with it a lot of weight off my shoulders as well as off Andi's too (I guess). Everything looks great. She's doing great. And it seems, well on the road to a full recovery. Of course I will still be cleaning the 'wound' and medicating it until it looks completely healed over. Now all we need to do is figure out what to do with the donkey situation.

side / front view

side view

back view

side view

Sunday, June 22, 2008 | Day 50

The tissue connecting the udder to the dead area has shrunk a good deal. It's about the thickness of my thumb.


The circular 'scab' at the back of the udder has separated from the whole dead area. Looks like healthy, pink tissue beneath.

I'm guessing we'll have at least 2 more weeks of this. Andi is still doing great.

Thursday, June 12, 2008 | Day 40

I have removed some of the yellow in these photos.

The yellowish-green hue from the Fural makes what is already pretty grotesque even worse. I have also toned down the saturation.

Side/back view with leg lifted


Side/front view

back view

front view

There is a little bit of bleeding, but not a lot and I think it's due in part to Andi licking it and messing with it. The dead tissue is drying up and shrinking and the areas it was attached to seems to be nice, healthy pink tissue. Andi is still acting just great.

Monday, June 9, 2008 | Day 37

Perhaps Dr. Mobini has misunderstood a few things I have said. First of all I tried to contact his collegue, Dr. Getz to get information on copper deficiencies in Georgia - specifically in goats. And I have not heard back from him. Secondly, I am well aware that a copper deficiency does not cause gangrene mastitis. It is my understanding that it is often caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, but other bacterial causes include Escherichia coli, Actinomyces pyogenes, and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. No, the mastitis was not caused by a copper deficiency, it was absolutely caused by a bacteria. But an impaired immune system prevented her body from mounting a proper defense to the infection and the end result was gangrene.

I took Andi's temperature yesterday and it was a normal 101.3. She looks fantastic. I see absolutely no sign, whatsoever, of any pending infection. I waivered on my decision to have some tissue removed as well as on making a decision about the copper. After getting YET AGAIN, some more invaluable insights from Joyce, I've decided to sit tight on both issues. I need to stop panicking. Andi is going to be just fine. I will get my soil and hay tested and speak with Dr. Getz. I've switched over to the MannaPro minerals and I think I'll put them in her food daily (in addition to free choice.) I've taken the baking soda and the donkey's block away also. My hope is that she'll rely on the new minerals for her salt and perhaps boost her copper intake. I am also very interested in talking to Dr. Getz about copper bolusing for parasites.

Friday, June 6, 2008 | Day 34

Thursday, June 5, 2008 | Day 33

Nothing really new to post today. This is taking its time.

I've called a goat specialist from Fort Valley State College and the new vet to discuss copper deficiency. No one has called me back as of yet. I'm still very worried that we have a deficiency here with the Toggs. I think I may have the vet out also - to see if he can tell me if he thinks my goats are deficient, to look at the teat and the injection site swelling...just a general, overall check up. Maybe even see if he thinks some of the dead tissue should be removed at this point. Though I'm satisfied with how it looks. It seems like almost a good thing that the dead tissue has remained on the teat, as it's like a little helmet protecting the inner area and keeping junk out. It's drying up and headed in the right direction. It's just going slowly.

I have been cleaning this out in the mornings with warm soapy water that I squirt from a squeeze ketchup bottle for a little pressure. Joyce suggested a hose or a syringe, but Andi is not a very good patient. This will do. Also in the morning and at night I spray with the chlorhexidine solution, wait 'til it dries, spray Fural and then give her a light spray of fly spray. No other medications have been given since day 17 - over 2 weeks ago.