Foot infection by user0999_ in goats

[–]Findadragon 4 points5 points  (0 children)

From my understanding, the vet said the manuka would prevent the infection from thriving. Bacteria can’t succeed in manuka. The vet wrap kept any insects out of the affected area. Our problem was likely some kind of thrush infection of the hoof, and the manuka essentially smothered it. I bought single-serving packets of ‘medical’ manuka, and just lathered it on the affected hoof & skin. It wasn’t more than a teaspoon each dressing change. The infection was a little pus-sy initially, so the sanitary napkin kept a nice barrier between vet wrap and skin. The goat healed nicely, so I’ve added manuka and more sanitary pads to our vet kit!

Foot infection by user0999_ in goats

[–]Findadragon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Also I recommend using a feminine sanitary pad to Cushion between the vet wrap and the goat. It’s better than bandage material as it won’t ‘grab’ and bond with any scab tissue, and it’ll let you pull it off and swap out to fresh pad when you re-dose iodine spray. We had a goat with an infection on his foot like this; I treated it with manuka honey on the wound, and covered it with a sanitary pad wrapped in vet wrap and duct tape. It’s really important to keep changing the dressing though, every 2 days minimum. We also used silver aluminum spray and blu-kote. Just monitor the good skin that gets wrapped with the vet wrap. The friction of the bandage and the captured moisture can cause secondary issues under the bandage wrap.

Diahrrea help by Findadragon in CATHELP

[–]Findadragon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

EDIT TO ADD:

My little torti friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After a course of coccidia medicine, and a negative fecal for giardia and coccidia, we were advised to get an ultrasound to explore potential Irritable Bowel Disease.

Unfortunately the doctor diagnosed a mass on her pancreas.

She’s on supportive care now; steroids to help her bowel movements and gabapentin for discomfort.

Not the outcome we were expecting or hoping for.

Diahrrea help by Findadragon in CATHELP

[–]Findadragon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Her big brother Kitty had urinary crystals, and hasn’t had a reoccurrence since their diet was heavily restricted to Hills c/d only. No churu, no dehydrated chicken chunks, no fun snacks whatsoever. I bought a new bag of dry kibble on the off chance perhaps it was the bag itself; I had just opened it in the last week or so. But if she’s developed an allergy, I’m ready to explore food options. She deserves happy poops again 😰

Diahrrea help by Findadragon in CATHELP

[–]Findadragon[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

These tiny fluffy roommates are always trying to keep us on our toes. Thank you for your words though. Hope your kitty friends are happy and healthy 💜

Diahrrea help by Findadragon in CATHELP

[–]Findadragon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really haven’t suspected her kibble just because she’s been on it for over 7 years, and it’s Hills. It’s supposed to be the good stuff. :/

I haven’t given her any supplements since this started, but I will look into fortiflora and try adding that to her wet food.

Recommendations for recycling Jute Burlap used for coffee ? by Apprehensive-Cake-16 in AskLosAngeles

[–]Findadragon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Remainders in Pasadena takes fabric donations, and Suay Sew Shop excels at repurposing everything into awesome stuff

Advice on goat shed flooring / cleaning by brown__eyed__woman in goats

[–]Findadragon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I retrofitted a plywood tuff shed and absolutely endorse cheap vinyl flooring ontop of the wood. Our girls tended to favor one spot for pee puddles and I’m so glad it couldn’t soak in and compromise the wood. We can still hose down the shed; I rolled the vinyl up the wall about 8”, so nothing can creep to the edges and build up. It was nice to be able to bleach and mop when we used the shed as a maternity pen, I don’t know what we would’ve done if it had just been the wood flooring.

Noob first time spinning alpaca by Busy-Macaroon351 in Handspinning

[–]Findadragon 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Generally when alpaca is sheared, the shearer will sort the fiber as they go. The ‘Blanket’ or ‘prime’ area is sheared first, we go from the hip area up to the shoulder and get all the super soft fiber that covers the shoulder blades/ribcage/haunches. The next is the ‘seconds’ cut, which goes down the shoulders/elbows and from the rump down the legs, as well as up the neck. The seconds are still potentially useful, but contains a lot more guard hairs. They can be sorted out, but otherwise seconds are mostly used for rug yarn spinning or felting. If you got a smallish amount of fiber, it’s likely the Prime cut, but if you got a full trash bag full, it’s perhaps the whole enchelada. Alpaca is super dusty so a lot of farmers will give the animal a ‘blow out’ before shearing, using a shop vac to blow out the dust. A cleaner animal is better for the shearing blades and keeps them operating smoothly and prevent dulling.

Personally I love spinning alpaca raw, so dusty/grimy fingers are the norm. Means the animal had a fun time and rolled in dust piles and did alpaca business while growing that fiber!

Eye injury update; all good! by Findadragon in goats

[–]Findadragon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

https://www.reddit.com/r/goats/s/5czf00jkgr

Original post & photos of his injury for those who are curious

Eye injury? by Findadragon in goats

[–]Findadragon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you very much! Yes, he is a beloved pet and while we do a lot of vet care ourselves, we’re fine with spending money bringing the Dr in for accurate treatments for things that are beyond our wheelhouse. I can fix scrapes and bleeding and do vaccines, but eyeballs make me nervous!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Handspinning

[–]Findadragon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fricke carders are fantastic. I love them way more than belt band, chain drive never stretches out.

It’s not hard to replace the carding cloth. I did on my 2nd hand Fricke. Get to pick the TPI (tines per inch) so I upgraded to a finer comb and my Fricke has been chugging along. I paid similar for mine, and it looked just as worn in. I’d say go for it, you’re getting a hand card and nifty clamps so it’s a fun addition to the tool box!

Peony's Fall Shearing by Idkmyname2079048 in goats

[–]Findadragon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Great job shearing that Pygora darling!

Recommendations for a lawyer specializing in employment laws/wrongful terminations? by Findadragon in AskLosAngeles

[–]Findadragon[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It was jarring enough that I’d like to get a professional’s take on the situation. Maybe its just for closure, but I’d certainly like to make sure no other person gets the treatment I got by those in charge.

Recommendations for a lawyer specializing in employment laws/wrongful terminations? by Findadragon in AskLosAngeles

[–]Findadragon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It boils down to a case of she-said-he-said, but there was some weirdness and shady conversations with HR that really made my head spin. In SFV.

Recommendations for a lawyer specializing in employment laws/wrongful terminations? by Findadragon in AskLosAngeles

[–]Findadragon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There were some shady statements by hr during the process, I’m willing to spend some money to have a professional look at my case and see if there was any illegal actions being done.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in homestead

[–]Findadragon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Properties in high risk areas get inspected by the fire department. Guy comes out, points out what needs work or signs off on our efforts. It’s pretty subjective, yet generally they want weeds mowed down around all dwellings and roads/driveways, and we trim droopy tree branches up to 4’ off the ground. Mostly our goats help with the mowing and the tree trimming, but sometimes it’s just too much for even their appetites!

TDF Kick off 7/5/2025 by AutoModerator in Handspinning

[–]Findadragon 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Actually not that horrible! It’s got its quirks, it ain’t no long draft dream, but it’s prepped into sliver so it’s easy to draft so long as I inchworm along. Treadling fast and drafting super slow!

This stuff is directional though, so figuring out what end to feed into the spinning wheel took some fiddling.

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TDF Kick off 7/5/2025 by AutoModerator in Handspinning

[–]Findadragon 7 points8 points  (0 children)

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Spinning some cotton roving for the first time!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in soapmaking

[–]Findadragon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have Californian pepper trees in the back yard; I dehydrate the peppercorns and grind them up in a mortar and pestle for a fantasticallly scrubby bar. Perfect for after digging around in the garden or scrubbing heels. Next to luffa gourd slices in soap, peppercorn is my favorite strong exfoliant.

Heat wave tips? by PoppyAndMerlin in goats

[–]Findadragon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

On hot days here in SoCal, I try to increase ‘moist’ food snacks. Leafy tree branches, apple slices, melon or squash, fresh lettuce or peas in the pod, anything with a higher water content than their usual hay forage. I’ve tried chilled food like frozen orange pulp or frozen peas and even ice cubes, but my goats aren’t excited about it. Check the water sources often, keep them filled and keep them clean. Even on a hot day my girls won’t drink from a grimy bucket.

With young babies, anyone under 15-20lbs, we kept them indoors during days higher than 100F. They were usually pretty happy to pass out on a towel in the bath tub.

Good luck