[Agatha]

Can anyone help with this?  My friend has two pygmy goats and the younger one has recently started having daily fits or seizures.  She stands very rigid, then sits, lies down and rolls onto her side (rapid, but controlled,not like a collapse) Her eyes nearly close and she breathes very noisily with rapid deep breaths.  After about a minute, her eyes open and her legs twitch violently, then she stands up and seems fine, though a bit confused for a few minutes.  The vet has run various tests and can't find anything physically wrong with her.  She wondered if it could be epilepsy.  Has anyone seen anything like this & if so can you give some advice?

[tosca100]

There is a type of goat that faints if chased or threatened. Loads on youtube
we9_CdNPuJg
Some think it's funny, I find it uncomfortable to watch.

I hope your friend gets to the bottom of her problem.

[Agatha]

Thanks for this.  Have watched the clip but Bluebell's fits are not like that & it doesn't seem to have a link with being frightened.  She wasn't being moved at the time & if anyone chased her like that, they would be the ones with the health problems as her owner would be on the warpath!

[tosca100]

Thanks for this.  Have watched the clip but Bluebell's fits are not like that & it doesn't seem to have a link with being frightened.  She wasn't being moved at the time & if anyone chased her like that, they would be the ones with the health problems as her owner would be on the warpath!

As would I if they were mine!

The very fact that your friend and the vet are trying to get to the bottom of it shows a caring owner. I hope it gets resolved soon.

[Agatha]

Thanks.  Bluebell doesn't seem to be distressed by it fortunately and the other goat doesn't seem to be bothered either, so I hope this means she is not suffering as usually one will be upset if the other is ill.  But it is still upsetting to watch.  Will let you know if we find a solution.

[ANHBUC]

Your friend could ask her vet to consult the vet school in Liverpool

www.liv.ac.uk/veterinary-science/clinical-services/

they might be able to give advice.

[grinling]

http://www.ehow.com/about_7217189_epilepsy-goats.html

might help.

[Agatha]

Sadly, Bluebell has been put to sleep as she was deteriorating rapidly and the vet agreed it was the best decision.  But thank you so much for your concern and suggestions.  It was appreciated. 

[tosca100]

Oh I'm so sorry for your friend.

[Agatha]

Thanks.  She is doing ok - I think she is more concerned about the surviving goat being lonely, but she thinks she may have found a potential new companion.  Bluebell had actually become quite aggressive recently - we now wonder if this might have been an early sign of her problem, but I think Hiccup is in a way a bit relieved not to be pushed around any more.  And hopefully if they can find her a gentle goat as companion she will cheer up.

[ANHBUC]

So sorry, send my best wishes to your friend and of course Hiccup.