Update: Pickles is eating! YAY!
By MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
Australia
November 29, 2007 4:10am CST
He had his second painkilling shot today and early this afternoon he stuck his head out from under the house looking expectant (well, that's what I reckon...lol). I'd been thinking: he doesn't like me trying to feed him with the syringe but he swallows the liquid; he was trying to graze late yesterday dashed inside and so, I decided I'd try grating his food. He ate it! He had 2 lots of carrot, celery, apple and crushed banana chips. Then he ate again this evening. He was grazing when I took him his food and he had a drink of water too. He seems calm but every now and then he gets the jitters and ducks under the house again. But, he's had a good feed. I'm so happy and relieved.
Thanks to those of you who sent good wishes and kind thoughts for us.
Have you ever had trouble feeding your animals? Try juicing fruit and veges, use the pulp or the juice. Hrate the veges and carrot too. Bland cereals mixed with honey or golden syrup and water are good too. Try a baby bottle with the teat made bigger, or a large syringe. This last paragraph is for discussion purposes.
11 people like this
22 responses
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
We are back to square one Joan. He has refused his food today. We had to give him an antibiotic shot and had to drag him out from under the house. He was so unhappy.
I guess I should be pleased that he's safe and dry (it's raining here) and remember that he's strong and that it will take a little while for his wounds to stop hurting. My own bruises are fading a bit but the bite is still very sore. I guess it's only natural for him to feel sad and unhappy as he was so badly hurt.
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
29 Nov 07
Oh Tickle!!
I'm really so happy to hear that, for your sake and Pickles! It just took him some time to get over things is all. I knew he would get right back to his old self again. Well, with a meal like that who could resist! Sounds like you spoil him a bit. Hehe No doubt, if he was mine I would spoil him too!
I love the pic of you and him, he is darling!! I've never had a goat for a pet, and other than a petting zoo never really was too close to one. I like the ones with the floppy ears. The way they hang makes them look like they have on one of those hunting hats with the flaps that cover your ears. Haha
Luckily I have never had any problems feeding any pets, thank goodness. I'll have to make note of your suggestions just incase I need them one day!
Bay Lay Gray xx
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
I've never had anything to do with goats either but this little fellow won my heart from the start. The topic picture is also Pickles when he was abot 5 weeks old. You can see why I love him so. He is a funny fellow and very cheeky and playful. Sadly, he has refused his food today. I'm hoping what he had yesterday will tide him over and that he will eat again when he is hungry enough. he seems to be getting more skittish too.
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@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
It's still good news Bay. He came out late yesterday afternoon to see what was going on. His coat is looking scruffy but I suppose trauma will do that but his swelling has almost gone. I dashed inside to grate him some fresh carrot and the next thing I know, he's in the kitchen behind me. I was trying to get Lucy away so he wouldn't be scared and he slipped out the open front door to the verandah. He ate all my geranium flowers....lol. He is so cheeky! His belly looks full too so that is probably why he didn't eat yesterday...he really made a guts of himself the day before.
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@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
30 Nov 07
I'm sorry to hear that. I was so excited for you! I'm sure he will come around really soon. Just keep showing him you love him and keep trying to feed him. Blessings!
Bay xx
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@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
29 Nov 07
That's wonderful news!!!
He'll be able to eat his food regulary in no time now!!
Thanks for the update!
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@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
30 Nov 07
Ah! I wish him the best :)
You take care too :)
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Dec 07
I can't tell you how happy I am to hear Pickles is eating more...that really is great news, and my prayers continue for him for his complete recovery. I guess that idea of the baby bottle was good, no? Don't ask how many times I had to "force" feed little kitties and they did well
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@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
5 Dec 07
Neither the syringe or the baby bottle worked because he had to be crushed against the fence and taken by the horns. Then I had to hold his wounded side pressed against my body, he would fight us the whole time and cry. It was all just too painful and traumatic for him.
I'm now seeing a good improvement each day. He is spending more time grazing, he drinks lots, he comes to us at a run and he lets me give him little cuddles. He is calmer each day too. He gets the jitters less and when he does run under the house he sometimes comes out again in a few minutes.
His needles are finished too which is good.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 Dec 07
What's the latest news about Pickles..I was reading a few of your responses saying he wasn't eating...is he eating now...any better??? Sure hope so!
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
29 Nov 07
Hi Ms Tickle!
That is good news! I am glad to know that Pickles is recovering and eating well. How about her wounds, are they still swollen?
Fortunately, our pets are not hard to feed. They are healthy and playful and eat a lot. haha..
Take care and have a nice day. :)
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
Actually, the swelling around his jaw seems ok. Unless I'm used to it now. Normally he eats a great deal and that is what has me so worried. He had eaten well when I first posted this but he has refused food today. He is hiding under the house all the time.
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@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
3 Dec 07
Hi Ms Tickle! I have just logged in and it is 4 days since you posted your comment. I hope Pickles is doing a lot better now and I hope she is eating a lot now too. I wish that she really is feeling better. Take care and have a nice day. :)
1 person likes this
@girlgonefishing (2174)
• United States
29 Nov 07
Awe! I'm so happy for you and Pickles! What a cute little goat. I love the picture of you and Pickles. I have two goats myself and I just love playing with them. I even have little dog halters for them so that I can walk them around. The neighbors all think I'm crazy but, I don't care. Callie and Allie love going for walks.
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@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
Pickles likes to eat! Just not lately as he refused his food this morning. He has grown pretty big from when he was a baby. That's also him in the topic photo. It's his first birthday on Sunday. He loves to play and I've taken him for a walk a couple of times. Mostly I would take him across the road to graze when the drought had badly affected his food in my big yard. In the evenings, I would go and undo him from his chain and he would race home through all the gates to where I had put his carrots. Goats sure can run fast. I have another little goat, Tulip, who is lame on one front leg, she hobbles around ok but she can also run very fast. She's a sweet tempered, gentle little goat and I love her dearly too. In the mornings, the two goats would touch horns then nibble each others lips. So cute. I hope he gets better soon. I can't get close enough for our usual cuddles.
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@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
Yeah, there's just something really special about them, it's hard to explain. You'll know what I mean. Sometimes when I give him a cuddle, Pickles is practically rubbing noses with me. And he just loves my friend Greg.
He put in an appearance late yesterday, had to know what was going on.
He got in the house and through the verandah door to eat all my lovely pink geraniums. He knew he was being a brat cos when we put the lead on him to take him away he took off, round the corner and out to the back yard again. He's so funny.
@girlgonefishing (2174)
• United States
30 Nov 07
Awe. That makes me so sad to hear that. I can't imagine going through that with my goats. I love them so much. I can tell from your writing that you love yours too.
@GardenGerty (160697)
• United States
29 Nov 07
This post from you is a great start to my day. I am out the door for work today. I think you are basically a genius to think of grating the foods to make it more easily eaten. It is pretty well known that animals tend to go off their food when injured or ill. It is good that Pickles is getting some nutrition now. I hope the injuries heal up and then the anxiety does too. Happy day to you.
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@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
Thanks Gerty. He is off his food again today so I'm hoping what he had yesterday will tide him over. He is sitting under the house and I'm playing classic music so he can hear it.
we have to give him another antibiotic shot today so I don't know how that will go as he is acting quite skittish when he does come out from under the house. I hope with all my heart that he is staying under the house quietly so as to mend. Thanks for the kind thoughts.
Oh, the topic pictue is also of Pickles when he was a baby.
@mom2rottie (620)
•
1 Dec 07
How is he doing today?
I loved the story about him following you in and then eating your flowers! LOL
He's obviously feeling himself at times, but it's going to be a long road until he's back to himself all the time. You are doing great with him :)
Don't worry too much about him being skittish right now, of course he is, you are poking him with needles and force feeding him LOL He'll come around once you are done having to give him shots and all
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@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
5 Dec 07
He is better and better mom2rottie. The flies are bugging him a bit but he seems less skittish. He still runs to get under the house suddenly but he comes out again rather than staying under there. He is running to greet us....more like looking to see if we've brought him something yummy. I'm still grating his veges and chopping up carrot tops but he's grazing and eating other things too. A friend has a big vege garden and we are getting the extras. He's drinking well and his needles are all done. A big chunky scab dropped off from under his chin this morning and there is no weeping that I can see so he is well on the mend. I thought it would take a lot longer.
Thanks for your kindness mate.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
30 Nov 07
It is a good thing that Pickles is eating. I have not had a goat, because the only time I was on a farm was when I was visiting and they had a very large pig.
However when we got our dog, Jessie (now deceased) she was very tiny,her mother did not want her, and so we used a baby bottle to feed her until she was of the age where she should have left her mother.
It worked because she lived a very long time.
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@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
I love pigs but they can be smelly. They get so big too. My friend was looking after one on his property when I first came here and he was a big old darling. I think he ended up on someone's table.
Pickles is back to not eating today. I think he's ok though. Thanks for being there for me.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
30 Nov 07
I am glad Pickles is eating. Take care.
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@recycledgoth (9894)
•
29 Nov 07
Oh thank goodness hun, Pickles is on the mend and getting back to his normal self.
I used to find it difficult to feed my old cat after he lost his teeth but I found that if I put milk and sardine into a blender, he could take that from a bowl.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
He's back to not eating. I'm thinking that he must still be very sore and it's natural for him to want to hide and not eat when his mouth is so sore. He may have overdone things yesterday and be paying for it today. I think he feels like we are going to hurt him if he comes to us. I can't blame him but I wish he would come out from under the house for a cuddle.
Thank goodness your kitty continued to eat. Poor lil puss.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
5 Dec 07
Thank you sweety. he is doing really well now. Quite his usual self almost. He is being cute and enjoying his cuddles again but he is concentrating most on eating. He is coming out from under the house and spending more time in the back yard. He looks for us now and comes a runnin' when we appear. Looking for a treat. I'm still grating his supper but he's managing to graze. He's not able to manage chewing things into his mouth but he improves a little every day. Hugs to you too. xxx.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
1 Dec 07
I'm so happy to hear Pickles is doing better. I'm guessing it may take some time for him to not be nervous out in the open.
I've never had a problem feeding and animal but will certainly keep your tip in mind as you never know when you may need it.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
5 Dec 07
He's doing better and better with each new day Faith. He's much like his old self. He still has a little ways to go. The vet said it would take 8 weeks for his jaw to heal. It will heal crookedly too because he has to use it to eat. He seems to be gettingused to using his left side. I can see the muscles moving on the injured side too so I still have to hope the broken jaw is healing quickly and well.
@raydene (9871)
• United States
29 Nov 07
I have nursed so many sick and injured pets and wildlife. For each different animal I would use different food. I have used oatmeal alot cooked and mixed with apples for the goats, sheep,horses,donkeys,dogs,cats,rabbits,fox etc..When orphaned animals need to be feed I have used a baby formula in either eyedropper to turkey baster depending on the animal size...
I am very happy that your Sweet Pickles is better...In time he will get over his fear.
What has happened to Jedi and her pups?
xoxoxoxo
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@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
Raydene, he has refused all food today, even the biscuit he always has in the morning. He came out when I coaxed him this morning but ducked back under the house and we had to drag him out to have his antibiotic shot.
He probably overdid things yesterday with eating and is sore today. He is mostly calm but becomes very restless at times. I'm wishing him well but it will obviously take a long time for him to heal. I tried him with some cooked apple and he wasn't interested in the least.
I don't know what happened to Jedi, only that she went back. I just can't worry about her now. All my energy is going to my animals, specially Pickles.
@Cajunhellcat (2073)
• United States
30 Nov 07
Oh I'm so glad to hear that she is eating a little now
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
He didn't eat anything yesterday Cajunhellcat but he finally came out from under the house to check things out...goats are very curious...lol. I dashed inside to get him some fresh food and the bugger followed me. He went through the house and out onto the verandah and ate all my geranium flowers. So he is still his cheeky self. His belly was full too so he had a decent feed the day before.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
29 Nov 07
I am happy to hear he is eating and seems to be slowly getting over his bad experience. I always get worried when any of my crew are off their food. Right now I am not too popular with my babies as it is time for their annual check ups with the probing and shots. It seems to be more expensive every year as I just paid $102.00 for heartworm check and the annual shots and that is only for one of them. So my Christmas gift to myself is spending my savings for my animals' health.
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@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
The expense is pretty scary. Lucy cut her foot and I took her in and it cost me $50.50 for a bandage. It's a hundred and something just for the vet to come out to us here...we are a long way from town.
Sadly, it seems I spoke too soon as Pickles refused his food today.
@mummymo (23706)
•
30 Jan 08
Fantastic news my dear friend I am so happy that Pickles is doing better! As quite a while is passed I sincerely hope that Pickles is now fully recovered! I guess I am really lucky as I have never had a problem feeding any of my pets and now i only have one cat - if I ever have any problems I will ask you for some advice! xxx
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
3 Feb 08
Yes, I think it's safe to say he has completely recovered. If ever I can be of help I'd be happy to advise you or at least offer suggestions.
Pickles is cheekier than ever and still very special to me as all my 'kids' are. My life would be empty without these guys.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Nov 07
It's so good to hear that Pickles is on the mend, Ms Tickle! Of course, he will probably be a bit jittery for a while, but as his strength returns and he sees no threat he will be back to normal soon. It was a traumatic experience for him. Sounds like you're feeding him well enough.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
30 Nov 07
We've had a setback today worldwise and he has refused all food. I'm thinking he may have overdone things yesterday and his mouth is sore today. He's been in hiding all day.
I was just outside, it's evening and time he is usually fed. He stuck his head out and was looking curious but he won't eat. Hhe stayed there for a while so I came inside in case he wanted to be by himself to roam around. I'm hoping he's going to be a little better tomorrow. He has some terrible wounds and I need to be a little patient, something I'm not good at.
