Aboutgoatlady Expertise Specializing in New Goat Owner understanding of goat physiology, goat anatomy, goat care and herd management. *I am not a veterinarian, any advice and information should be verified by your veterinarian before administering to your goats.
Experience 17 years experience of raising goats and herd management. Active hands on experience with goat herd and research with various Caprine University Research and Extension Centers nationwide. 15 years dedicated to helping other goat breeders/owners with goat anatomy, goat disease and goat health care issues via phone, published goat care articles and internet interaction.
Organizations 5 year active member of International Veterinary Information Service
Publications United Caprine News, Homesteaders Magazine, Columnist for Goat Magazine, Owner and Author of GoatPedia™
Education/Credentials Graduate Programs in Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University
Expert: goatlady Date: 7/11/2008 Subject: Baby Goat - dob 07/08/2008
Question Help! On 07/08/2008, I went out of town only to get back and find that my pygmy goat had given birth. Baby was not nursing and had no interest in nursing. Baby has runny diarrhea. Gave baby Karo syrup and some of Mother's milk. We live in Alabama and it was 95 degrees day he was born. Vet said he was a "dummy pygmy" and probably suffered oxygen deprevation at some point. Vet said to try a couple of more days and then put him down or let him die. (Somehow this doesn't seem like an option to me). Mother goat was purchased from auction March 2008. She was in extremely poor shape and blind in one eye from pink eye left untreated. We bought her to save her. Brought her home and had Vet worm her and vaccinate her.
We have been giving the baby 1 tsp of pepto bismol 3x day, as well as bovine colustrum and milk from his Mom. He will barely take 2 oz of liquid approx every 3-4 hours. Keep hoping he will nurse Mom. His Mom is attentive and he will answer her but will NOT nurse. I also noted that his left front leg seems to be bowed out a little. He can walk, stand and cry at this juncture. He is in the stable with his Mom. I don't know how to tube feed, nor do we have any tube feeding equipment.
We had goats when I was a child and I never remember this type of situation. Any advice you can give would be appreciated.
Time is of the essence.
Thanks,
Sharon
follow as much as applies to him right now like having him breath wamr air and the baby saver formula (use as much of what ever you have on hand or what ever is closest to it)
The vet should have a french catheter or maybe the feed stores have a lamb tubing kit- of not you will have to do as you are doing with the syringe being very careful not to allow him to aspirate it into his lungs - don;t worry about the leg right now - that will prob straighten out with strength.
Also read the article on tubing a baby - it has a photo of the catheter you need - maybe you will see it when you look at the feed store or can explain it to them when you call. http://goat-link.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=78
Also ask if they have CD Anti toxin on hand there- and get it- a 500ml bottle runs around 30.00 do not get the CDT Toxiod vaccine- they are not the same. If he does get on his feet better and has a bad gut this is what you will need to bring him back around- it will kill the toxins in the gut due to not digesting his food.
I don't know his size but he needs as much calories and energy as he can get and right now he may not be able to digest milk- this is why the kid saver formula for now. do not feed until his belly is tight but when it feels full.
This is going to be a touch and go - but not to say he cannot be saved- I would try until he either turns around or I lost him- but I'd give him the chance. Also a tsp of baking soda wet it with water, like toothpaste and give it right in his mouth- he may make some funny noises but this seems to help babies who have a gut pH problem which he very well might.
