One of our whethered goats, Cletus, just came back from a stay at the animal hospital. He was suffering from obstructive urolithiasis (urinary calculi), which is basically calcium stones blocking his urethra. That's a big problem because he was not able to urinate.

Urinary calculi is a big problem with whethered goats and sometimes sheep. The urethra sometimes gets skinnier after castration. If there is too much calcium in the goat's diet, blockages can occur. When he first started showing signs of the problem, our vet suggested cutting back on grain and alfalfa but by that time it was too late.

Despite treatments with acidifiers to break-up the stones, Cletus' bladder ruptured and surgery had to be performed. The doctor did a a cystotomy, which is a surgical opening created in the wall of the urinary bladder that connects directly to the outside via stitches in the abdomen. So basically he is urinating through a hole cut in his abdomen directly to the outside. The hole is about the size of a small orange. The doctor says it will shrink a little over time and the edges of it will develop scar tissue. We are to leave the stitches in and they will dissolve in about 8 months.

We are hoping Cletus will survive past last Monday's surgery. He is a bit lethargic and he's not eating a lot like he used to. Meanwhile we are keeping an eye on the other whethers and putting acidifiers in their drinking water...

Cletus is the black nubian/nigerian mix on the right

I've seen that surgery performed first hand while in Vet Tech school. It is amazing the things they can do! Positive thoughts his way!

I'm glad Cletus made it through safely. I bet he feels better.

I'm glad that he's back, and doing well:)

Thanks you guys I will tell him of your good wishes! He ate some this morning and moved around his pen a little but he has not gone outside yet. He is being kind of a loner and is avoiding the others for now.... Stay tuned

Bless it! I hope that he continues to recover! It's probably still a crappy feeling from the surgery and hopefully that is the reason for his lethargy. I know it couldn't have felt good to have the bladder burst or the surgery that cut through the abdominal tissue. I would probably be staying inside and minding my sofa too. LOL. Either way, sometimes we have to go through some pain to get better.

Here's to Cletus thriving with his new functional bladder and wee wee hole!

Thanks I will let him know you are sending lots of good cheer!

So glad he's doing better.

Best wishes to you all!

To new functional bladders and wee wee holes!!! LOL

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Originally posted by kyro298

To new functional bladders and wee wee holes!!! LOL

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LOL! No sense in mixing words!

I am sorry to report that we had to euthanize Cletus this morning due to complications arising for peritonitis. Based on fecal exam, bloodwork, and other tests performed by our vet, Cletus was very anemic and his liver and other organs were in a state of degeneration. I found him on his side this morning, his belly bloated and him crying out. The doctor said there was nothing he could do, and that he was in great pain and should be put down. I thanked him for the save from a month before and for trying. Thank you all for your good wishes to him during his ordeal.

Oh no! Ed I am SO sorry for Cletus and you. This is terrible! You guys really tried for sure - and in the end did the most humane thing you could. I teared up when I read that he was crying out in pain. Poor little guy! I know you are comforted that his pain was ended. No doubt, he would have suffered endlessly until the end. You saved him from that.

I am sorry!

Thanks for all of your support and thinking of him as he was convalescing. He was truly a good, sweet buck and we will miss him so!

Sorry to hear Cletus is gone. He had a wonderful life with you and Gail. You did the right thing by him.

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Originally posted by Omis n Kais g-ma

Sorry to hear Cletus is gone. He had a wonderful life with you and Gail. You did the right thing by him.

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Thanks we keep telling ourselves that... The doctor told us when he did the original surgery that he did not have a good chance but I asked him to do the surgery anyway. I hate that he was right... Cletus leaves behind a great family. His son Guinness has a few kids from earlier this year and they are flourishing. They all have Cletus' outgoing and affectionate nature...

Sorry for your loss, Ed & Gail.
He was lucky to have made his home with You..and it is good to hear his legacy lives on.
{{HUGS}}

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Originally posted by Willows Tree

Sorry for your loss, Ed & Gail.
He was lucky to have made his home with You..and it is good to hear his legacy lives on.
{{HUGS}}

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Thanks! Here is another photo of him I really like (one on the right)

Oooooo he was sooo handsome! :)

Resa

poor lil guy. We have been lucky the past few years and have not had to put anything down. So sorry for your loss.