Expert: Cheryl K. Smith - 11/5/2009

Question
Monday the 2nd of nov my neibor threw over brush. Tuesday at 2:30 five were dead. The vet came out gave them an I.V. with something in it and a shot. The next morning two more were gone. This morning they are all alive but one of the symptoms I saw in one of the ones that died was she could not poop. She strained but nothing came out. Now one that was not treated with the I.V. strained and nothing came out. Can I safely give her an enima or milk of magnesia even though she ate the yew bush. I CAN'T lose anymore goats, my heart is broken and I want to help her. Thanks

Answer
Oh, I am so sorry about this. I know yew can poison people, too. Neighbors think they are being helpful, but they aren't! I would give them milk of magnesia for sure. I don't see any reason you can't although I am not a vet. I have not given an adult an enema.

My heart goes out to you. I hope you get this soon enough. Give her some good roughage, too, like straw, or even willow or what you have. And probios or yogurt for the rumen. I hope you can save her. Let me know if you have other questions that I might be able to help with.